Daemen College began formulating policy and procedures in response to the COVID-19 Crisis in January. Below you will find a timeline of milestones through this fluid and flexible situation:
Daemen College Actions
National, State & Local Key Events
Check in and wellness kit pick up for returning Wave 3 employees
Testing date for Wave 3 employees
Media notified of mandatory COVID-19 testing for students, faculty, and staff and news coverage received
Updating website to reflect reopening has begun
Daemen's New York State Business Reopening Plan has been uploaded to the website. Official reopening plan has been finalized - can be accessed through MyDaemen for those with Daemen email addresses.
Reopening of the Wildcat Den
- Check in and wellness kit pick up for returning Wave 2 employees and student workers
- New visitor protocols set in place
Equipment to upgrade 13 classrooms has been ordered
Dr. Greg Nayor interviewed for Spectrum News story on NYS guidelines for colleges reopening
Testing date for Wave 2 employees and student workers
Fall semester changes released to local media and news coverage received
All funds from the CARES Act have been released
Daemen featured in Buffalo News front story on plans for reopening for fall classes
Check in and wellness kit pick up for returning Wave 1 employees and current residential students
All signage was placed around campus
First testing date for Wave 1 employees and students currently living on campus
Campus Clearance Form is up and running for Wave 1 employees
Established that everyone returning to campus will be required to take a diagnostics test (students, staff, faculty)
ERT members began setting up office spaces in anticipation for the return of Wave 1 employees
New text number established for faculty and staff to ask COVID related questions
President Olson was interviewed by Channel 4 news in regards to how Daemen plans to reopen in the fall Week of 5/4 - students begin moving out/off campus & picking up their belongings
began transitioning to developing the reopening plan
- Reorganized ERT to plan scenarios for Fall 2020
- Opening with a focus on protocols and procedures for people's health and well-being
- Shared plan with the Town of Amherst
SUNY distributes laptops to students in need to complete spring coursework
- PT student tested positive, was an off campus student
- Over 500 students submitted Stimulus Application
- Letter to students regarding Stimulus Applications
- Dr. Olson Video - COVID-19 Updates, Financial Support from Government, Enrollment Update, Summer Session Update
Governor Cuomo extended the state's stay at home order through May 15
All NYS residents required to wear face masks or coverings in public places
Announced First Summer Session will be online
No more Self-Quarantine on campus
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) directive requiring to wear a cloth face mask
- Student Activities Virtual Engagement site active
- Worked with Academic Affairs to create a Holistic
- Admissions Process starting in 2021 to make it easy for students to enter Daemen for ALL majors without test scores
- First Student tested Positive from Amherst campus, but was at home
- Student Housing Refund checks issued
- Dr. Olson Video, Staff - Positive COVID-19 test, Financial Strength and Recruitment/Retention Effort
- Dr. Olson Video, Students - Message of Support
- Purchased Extra Laptops for reservations
- Created Deferred Tuition Plan for prospective students to help start college on time
Purchased more Zoom pro licenses
White House extends social distancing guidelines through April 30
Message to Federal Work Study students
Commencement Postponed
Gloves donated to Kaleida Health
NYS on Pause Program, mandate that all non-essential workers work from home
- Adjusted Shuttle Schedules
- Finalized Housing Credits and Refunds
- Moved to only essential personnel on campus; created operating schedule to keep the campus open as needed
SUNY campuses mandated to close and move to a distance-learning
- Message with Support Services details
- Dr. Olson Video - CDC Guidelines, COVID-19 Updates, Online Classes
Transformed previous COVID-19 website to a robust “Daemen Preparedness Center” to include info for students, faculty, and staff
- Daemen College President and ERT Incident Commander met with Town of Amherst Emergency Operations Team to combine efforts and open up communication
- Created virtual Accepted Student Day
- Bumped Housing Selection back
- Room Sanitation and Green Door Tag system put in place
- Created COVID Technology Needs List
- Laptop Reservation System
- Wildcat Media and Entertainment podcast with Drs. Nayor and Brogan answering student questions
- AWC Closed
- General "blitz" of cleaning daily 11 am and 2 pm
- All Facilities, Dining Services, and Campus Safety staff in gloves
- Messages to prospective students and their families about staying open, transitioning to virtual events, etc.
- Messages to residential students letting them know we would stay open, but restricting visitors, quarantines, etc.
- Service learning field experience & academic festival cancelled, Grad fair postponed
- Ordered handheld sanitizer machines and a pump
- Schedule for deep-cleaning
Governor Cuomo announced restrictions on mass gatherings
- Extend Spring Break, then Distance Online Learning
- Standard Social Media Post created
- Residential Students sent Self-Disclosure Forms
- Dining Services transitioned to styrofoam & plastic-ware
- Counseling began hosting Zoom and telephone sessions
- Student Support Services transitioned to virtual/phone
- Created “Daily Briefing Log” of all ERT activity
- Moved to Daily meeting for Central and Command Staff”
SUNY prepares for Distance Learning for remainder of spring semester
- ERT Members implemented Incident Command System, dividing tasks into 4 key areas: Operations, Logistics, Planning, and Finances
- Self-Discloure Forms sent to campus community
Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency in NY
Dr. Olson letter explaining ERT proactive planning
Created a special COVID-19 website with important updates and information
Message to students with tips for the Coronavirus, Spring Break Travel, and CDC Recommendations
ERT conducted an Influenza Like Illness Tabletop Exercise
First death in US
US declares COVID-19 a public health emergency
First coronavirus case confirmed in US
Message to campus community about Coronavirus