Gloves, face masks and face shields have now become the new norm for University Police, substituting the traditional outfit. As the new semester begins to unfold, University Police have adapted to patrolling amid COVID-19.
While it may seem like business as usual, for University Police Interim Chief Kevin Velzy, ensuring students’ safety during a pandemic means wearing and disinfecting personal protective equipment on a regular basis.
“The enforcement of social distancing, wearing masks and following all of the guidelines stated in the Oswego Forward Plan is the responsibility of everyone,” Velzy said. “If people are defiant in following the rules, they can leave campus.”
The pledge contemplates a wide array of rules and measures that Oswego State community members must abide by, including wearing face masks at all times and completing the daily screenings in order to keep everyone safe, according the Oswego Forward website.
According to UP’s daily incidents dashboard, since the semester formally began Aug. 24, a total of six suspension letters have been issued.
“There shouldn’t be any parties, period,” Velzy said. “We have had a couple of incidents where there were large gatherings, and the students hosting events have been, and will continue to be, dealt with through the Dean of Students office.”
The current situation requires UP being in constant communication with the Oswego City Police Department.
If an incident takes place on-campus, students involved are referred to the dean of students and the school’s code of conduct.
“All reports from the City of Oswego Police will be forwarded to me, so even if they live off-campus, students must abide by the outlined policies,” Velzy said.
Velzy said that if an incident happens downtown and the city police are involved, such as a loud noise complaint, the host may receive a ticket, which will also be sent to the dean of students for violating the Oswego Forward Pledge.
In the event that the unexpected happens, UP is also ready to step in and help. Should Oswego State reach 100 COVID-19 cases or 5% of the population present at the time, it must shut down and move all classes online, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s guidelines.
That was the case for SUNY Oneonta, who earlier this week reported its first 100 cases which has now increased to 507, according to the college’s official COVID-19 dashboard on Friday afternoon. In response, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras has moved SUNY Oneonta to fully remote classes from home.
There are a total of six cumulative positive cases, three of which have been reported between Aug. 31 and Sept. 6, at Oswego State. Additionally, 15 students remain in on-campus quarantine and two in on-campus isolation. One case has recovered.
