Marist Will Test All Students Before Thanksgiving

Before leaving for Thanksgiving break, all on and off campus students will participate in COVID-19 surveillance testing. The testing will be administered by SUNY Upstate Medical Center during the last three weeks of in-person instruction for the fall semester. 

Surveillance testing in the next three weeks aims to identify any asymptomatic individuals before they leave for break and limit the spread of COVID-19 once many students return home on Nov. 24.

“Marist is providing this service to you and your families as an additional safety measure as you head into the semester break,” Vice President for Student Affairs Deborah DiCaprio said.

The message from administrators acknowledged that tests cannot be completely effective because some students will get tested three weeks before they leave campus and return to their communities. If students want to take further precautions, college officials suggests they get tested off campus closer to the Thanksgiving holiday. Testing sites close to campus can be found here.

“Because we cannot guarantee how close a particular person's test will occur to their travel plans, we encourage students to also be tested on their own if they feel it is necessary,” DiCaprio said. “We want you healthy, rested and ready for what we hope will be a terrific Spring semester.”

Residence halls will be closing for Thanksgiving break on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. Unlike years prior, students will not return to campus after Thanksgiving to finish the last two weeks of the fall semester in person. Instead, students will stay at home, have one week of virtual classes and take final exams online. By not bringing students back to campus after break, the college eliminates the possibility of COVID-19 spreading since students would be returning from different states and countries. 

With COVID-19 cases rising across the country and Marist reentering an alert level yellow, college officials have taken steps to limit the potential for further spread. 

“Students should limit their interactions to their pod (roommates or immediate housemates),” DiCaprio said. “Students should also continue to restrict their time off campus to essential errands, and avoid traveling to visit friends or return home. The College has been strict about these policies and will continue to do so for our collective health.”

Surveillance testing will occur over the final three weeks on campus to identify any asymptomatic individuals before they leave for Thanksgiving break. Source: Alexis Colucci '23