SUNY Potsdam and Canton students will begin their spring semester later than usual, all students will be tested upon returning and there will be no spring break.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras outlined a sweeping, system-wide plan that will hopefully allow campuses to safely return to in-person instruction for the spring semester, subject to any changes in federal or New York State guidance.

Main components of the comprehensive plan include:

• All students to be tested for COVID-19 upon return.

• Pushing the start date of the spring semester for in-person instruction until February 1, 2021.

• The cancelation of spring break in 2021.

• All returning students must complete a seven-day precautionary quarantine prior to their arrival on campus.

• Mandatory mask wearing at all times, even with social distancing.

Mandatory testing of all students upon return to campus & continued surveillance testing throughout the semester

SUNY has the capacity to process approximately 200,000 COVID-19 tests per week.

To reduce additional risks associated with flu season, winter term instruction will be fully remote, and spring term instruction must remain remote until February 1, officials said. During this timeframe, exceptions will be granted for clinical practicums, specialized research, and applied learning experiences that require students to be physically present. Campuses must notify SUNY System Administration of any courses that require in-person instruction. Pooled surveillance testing will remain available for students engaged in this type of hands-on coursework during this timeframe.

Given the risks associated with COVID-19 spread and travel, spring break and other holiday break periods are cancelled for all SUNY campuses, officials said. Campuses are allowed to build in single-day, midweek reading days throughout the semester as an alternative instructional pause. If colleges opt to do so, students will be highly discouraged from leaving campus. Any on-campus services in support of religious observances must follow normal density, face-covering, and quarantine/isolation protocols.