Coronavirus Information and Updates

Latest Update

Campus Access

Classes

Contact Information

Graduation Info and Updates

FAQ

Resources

About the Novel Coronavirus

Recently, a new coronavirus - 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus which causes an illness called COVID-19 - was detected that has not been previously found in humans. This coronavirus can lead to fever, cough and shortness of breath. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization designated the coronavirus as a "global pandemic."

Latest Update

In accordance with the recommendations of the State, the County and SUNY, in order to minimize the potential spread of Coronavirus, we are limiting the number of staff on our campuses until further notice. Our offices have moved to remote work (contact information can be found below).

Campus Access

In order to maintain the health and safety of the SUNY Erie college community, beginning the week of April 20, access to all campuses will be reduced to one day per week per campus through the end of the spring semester.

Computer/Internet Access

Students needing computer and/or internet access are welcome to use any of the designated campus spaces as follows (regardless of what campus you attend):
Tuesday: City Campus Atrium Open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Only
Wednesday: North Campus Cafeteria Open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Only
Thursday: South Campus Cafeteria Open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Only
All other days: Closed

Entering Campus

In order to access the campuses on the days designated above, you must enter through the checkpoints previously noted. You must also present student ID and undergo the health screening to enter campus.

Screening locations are as follows:
South Campus: Drive through location on Community Drive, enter off Abbott Road
North Campus: Drive through location on Arrow Drive near the YMCA, Use Tech Drive off either Main Street or Wehrle Drive
City Campus: Walk up screening in the Post Office Building, Swan Street foyer

Classes

▸ No classes or lab are meeting in a face-to-face format for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. Classes and some labs are being taught in a distance learning format.
▸ Some Labs were automatically assigned a grade of Incomplete because their structure would not allow them to be taught in a distance learning format.
▸ Existing online classes are continuing as originally scheduled for the remainder of the semester, unless the instructor directs otherwise.
▸ The Law Enforcement Academy is suspended until further notice.
▸ Off-site, face-to-face instruction, such as clinicals and internships, may continue. Your instructor will provide guidance.

Contact Information

Office	Contact Info	Office Status
Admissions	716-851-1456 admissions@ecc.edu	All transactions are moved online. Call for service Monday-Friday, 8AM-4PM
Advisement Counseling - City	716-851-1188	Closed to walk in service. Phone appointments, email and Webex are available. Call for service.
Advisement Counseling - North	716-851-1488	Closed to walk in service. Phone appointments, email and Webex are available. Call for service.
Advisement Counseling - South	716-851-1653	Closed to walk in service. Phone appointments, email and Webex are available. Call for service.
Athletics	716-851-1294	Closed to walk in traffic. All gyms and fitness centers are closed until further notice.
Bursar		Closed to walk in service. Note: we are not currently accepting cash payments due to COVID-19
Campus Shuttle		Visit www.ecc.edu/parking-transportation/ for the latest schedule.
Career Services	716-851-1683 terry@ecc.edu	Closed to walk in service. Call or email Monday-Friday, 8AM-4PM, to set up a phone or Webex appointment.
Child Care		Closed
Dean of Students - City Campus	716-851-1120 deanofstudentsc@ecc.edu	Call or email for assistance.
Dean of Students - North Campus	716-851-1420 perri@ecc.edu	Call or email for assistance.
Dean of Students - South Campus	716-851-1620 yoder@ecc.edu	Call or email for assistance.
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)	716-851-1936	Closed to walk in service. Call for service.
Fitness Centers and Gymnasiums		Closed
Financial Aid	716-851-1477 financialaid@ecc.edu	Closed to walk in service. Call for service Monday-Friday, 8AM-4PM.
Food Pantries	716-270-4450 gramsec@ecc.edu	Closed to walk in service. Call or email for assistance.
Food Service		Closed
Health Center - City Campus	716-851-1199	Closed to walk in service. Call for service.
Health Center - North Campus	716-851-1499	Closed to walk in service. Call for service.
Health Center - South Campus	716-851-1699	Closed to walk in service. Call for service.
Independence Bound/Youth Engagement Services	716-851-1030	Closed to walk in service. Call for service.
International Student Services	716-270-5190	Closed to walk in service. Call for service.
ITS HelpDesk	716-851-1835 helpdesk@ecc.edu	For service, email or call 8AM-4PM, Monday-Friday.
Libraries		Closed to walk in service. Chat available Monday-Thursday: 9AM-8PM & Saturday, 10AM-2PM http://libanswers.ecc.edu/
Men of Merit	716-270-6439	Closed to walk in service. Call for service.
Mental Health Clinic (Horizon Clinic)	716-831-1800	Phone appointments only.
Middle Early College High School	716-851-1176	Closed to walk in service. Call for service.
Registrar	716-851-1467 lamanna@ecc.edu	Available via phone Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm. All transactions are moved online: https://www.ecc.edu/transcripts-records/
Say Yes	716-270-4712	Closed to walk in service. Call for service.
Student Access Center - City	716-851-1189	Available via phone Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Student Access Center - North	716-851-1487	Available via phone Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Student Access Center - South	716-851-1830	Available via phone Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Testing Services	716-270-4693 placementtesting@ecc.edu	All walk-in testing outside proctoring services are cancelled.
Transportation	716-270-5630	Closed to walk in service. Call for service. Campus shuttle running on a revised schedule: visit www.ecc.edu/parking-transportation/.
Tutoring		Visit https://myecc.ecc.edu/tutoring/Pages/default.aspx for updated hours.
Veterans Affairs - City	716-851-1124	Available via phone Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Veterans Affairs - North	716-851-1532	Available via phone Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Veterans Affairs - South	716-851-1654	Available via phone Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm

Graduation

While our in-person commencement ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2020 has been postponed, Save the Date for Wednesday, May 20 at 7PM for a Virtual Celebration of the Class of 2020.

The celebration will feature heartfelt messages from individuals who are part of our college community … administrators, faculty, staff and elected officials have all taken time in the past few weeks to send messages to include in the celebration.

Graduate names will scroll across the screen by program, similar to the way they are listed in the program book each year. We will also honor our annual award winners, and we’ll have photo reels recapping some of the events that took place on campus this year.

The celebration will be streamed on SUNY Erie’s YouTube and Facebook feeds. We’re encouraging you to host virtual watch parties, and to post comments and photos of your favorite grads during the celebration.

YouTube Stream: https://www.youtube.com/user/SUNYECC/

Facebook Feed: https://www.facebook.com/SUNYECC/

FAQ

CARES Act Funding for Students

As a part of the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, the CARES Act is providing funding to college campuses to offset the burden placed on students who may have found themselves in difficult financial situations. SUNY Erie is preparing to make these awards to eligible students.

To be eligible, you need to have completed a FAFSA application for the 2019-2020 academic year.  The deadline for us to receive your final and completed application is May 19, 2020. You must complete the FAFSA if you want to be considered for funding through the CARES Act, even if you have never received financial aid. 

To begin or complete a FAFSA, please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.  If you think you completed a FAFSA application but are unsure, please check your self-service account at https://selfservice.ecc.edu/student.  If you completed a FAFSA but never received aid because of an incomplete verification process, you will need to work with financial aid to get assistance in completing the process.  All parts of the application process for financial aid must be complete by the May 19, 2020 deadline.  

SUNY Erie’s FAFSA code is 010684. Questions? Contact Financial Aid at 716-851-1677.

For more information visit: www.ecc.edu/CARES-Act/

What about my Work Study?
For students enrolled and performing Work Study, since courses have been moved online their work study hours will still be paid out even if they cannot come to campus due to the change in delivery of their courses. 

What Happens to my Financial Aid if the College closes temporarily or classes are moved online?
Students would continue to remain eligible for any financial aid they receive through the College. In addition, as a result of Coronavirus, the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Office recently released guidance that provides schools much greater flexibility in administering federal financial aid programs (Pell, SEOG, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Work-Study). If you have questions, please contact Financial Aid at: 
City (716) 851-1177 
North (716) 851-1477 
South (716) 851-1677 

How do I turn in my rented books?
Contact the Follett Bookstore on campus by email or phone in order to receive information regarding free shipping. 
City (716) 851-1051 
North (716) 851-1264
South (716) 851-1639

Who should I contact if I do not have access to the internet, a laptop/tablet, and are unable to come to come to campus to access my online course?
Please contact your campus Dean of Students for assistance with this.

If I have the Coronavirus, will I suffer consequences if I miss classes?
You will not be penalized if you missed classes due to Coronavirus. The College has communicated with all instructors to ensure that classes will be able to be moved online. You will be contacted by your instructors through Blackboard and or via College email no later than March 25th. Your professor will work with you and will provide alternate solutions if you are ill. Contact your instructors by email if you have additional questions.

What happens if a faculty member is unable to continue teaching a class?
We have standard protocols for faculty members if they become sick or incapacitated. Additionally, all face-to-face classes are being moved to an online environment. Your faculty member will be able to teach their class remotely. If a faculty member is sick and unable to teach another faculty member will replace them.

What resources are available for students experiencing financial emergencies due to Coronavirus?
The College is committed to supporting students who are experiencing financial difficulty or incurring additional expenses as a result of Coronavirus. Students who are experiencing financial insecurity should contact the Dean of Students Office.

Has the college placed any limits on travel?
SUNY Erie has canceled all work-related travel.
SUNY Erie has canceled College-sponsored travel scheduled over Spring break and for the remainder of the semester.

I am feeling stressed what should I do?
We recognize that some of you are feeling growing concerns about family or friends, or about your own health. Please contact our Advisement Counseling and Student Support Service Centers during weekday office hours, as well as Horizon Health Services.

Is the College screening students?
No, the College is not conducting screening.

Does the College plan to distribute masks?
No, the College is not distributing masks.

How can I avoid getting sick?
It is flu season and it is always a good idea to protect yourself and others from infection by following these practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
▸ Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds to avoid spreading any virus to others. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol.
▸ Cover coughs and sneezes in your elbow or sleeve.
▸ Avoid touching your eyes, nose
▸ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
▸ Stay at home when you are sick.
▸ Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. When used correctly, commercially available disposable disinfectant wipes, cloths, or towelettes are effective for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

What should I do if I become ill with fever, cough or shortness of breath?
You should immediately self-isolate, contact a Health Care Provider, and notify the SUNY Erie Health Services Office, and your individual instructors by email. Do not come on campus if you are ill or have been in contact with someone that is ill with Coronavirus.

Resources

Learning and Working Remotely at SUNY Erie for Students, Faculty and Staff:

Visit the ITS Learning and Working from Anywhere website for helpful tips and resources, including information on how to troubleshoot technical issues, special offers for students, and frequently asked questions:
https://sunyecc.service-now.com/sp?id=learning_and_working_from_anywhere

Library Resource Center

The SUNY Erie Library Resource Center has a number of ways to support you during the transition to online learning. Our library website is available 24/7 to bring you access to electronic books, articles, streaming video, and more. Visit our website at: www.ecc.edu/library/

In addition to our resources, we have librarians available to assist you remotely via email, text, chat, phone, and WebEx. Our contact information and hours are available here: https://libanswers.ecc.edu/index.php

We’ve also put together a Continuity of Library Services & Resources webpage: https://libguides.ecc.edu/spring2020. Here you will find information on library renewals, free access to electronic versions of textbooks (eTextbooks), video tutorials for using library databases, and more.

Please note that we have implemented automatic renewals of library materials through the end of the semester. All items will be automatically renewed 7 days before the initial due date as long as another student has not requested the item.

Library research and instructional support for faculty and staff:
This guide will help you locate library research and instructional support resources as SUNY Erie moves to online learning in response to COVID-19:
https://libguides.ecc.edu/spring2020 

Equity and Diversity

As we prepare for all classes to move online, we are issuing a reminder that SUNY Erie places a high priority on maintaining academic programs free from sex/gender discrimination. Members of the SUNY Erie community should be aware of the following three important points:

1. The Equity and Diversity/Title IX office remains open via remote operation at this time. Anyone impacted by sex/gender discrimination should contact Tracy Archie, Title IX Coordinator, at (716) 851-1118 or archie@ecc.edu to file a report. Investigations and interviews will be conducted remotely, and remedies provided, to assure that any sexual harassment, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, retaliation, or other sexually discriminatory behaviors are addressed promptly.

2. College policies on sexual misconduct apply to behaviors that occur in person between members of the college community, but also apply to online and virtual misconduct ( review the Code of Student Conduct Policy here). Any behavior that is prohibited by policy is also likely prohibited in cyber-forms, including cyber-harassment, cyber-bullying that is sex-based, and cyber-stalking. Members of the community are expected to maintain a tone of civility and respect in online classes just as they would in face-to-face classes.

3. Faculty and staff members, who are mandated reporters, are reminded that reporting of alleged sexual misconduct is expected when they become aware of incidents or allegations involving members of the campus community, regardless of how they learn of the potential misconduct, whether in person, in writing, or online.

For more information, visit:

Erie County’s Department of Health COVID-19 website:
http://www2.erie.gov/health/coronavirus

NYS Department of Health COVID-19 website:
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/

CDC’s COVID-19 website:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

SUNY COVID-19 website:
https://www.suny.edu/health-alert/?utm_source=home&utm_campaign=012020

Letters from SUNY Chancellor Johnson
March 13, 2020
March 19, 2020