Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

COVID-19 vaccinations

All students accessing SUNY facilities for any in-person classes or activities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with limited exception. A booster is strongly encouraged but not required.

On-campus JCC students are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination and all other required immunizations to the Health Center to avoid academic withdrawal from all on-campus courses, financial liability, or negative impacts on financial aid status.

COVID-19 vaccination includes:

  • Two shots of Moderna
  • Two shots of Pfizer-BioNTech
  • Two shots of Novavax
  • One shot of J&J/Janssen (According to the CDC, in most situations, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax COVID-19 vaccines are recommended over the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.)

Students who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination of a two-vaccine series may register for on-campus courses and can attend on-campus activities, provided they:

  • File for a medical deferral with the Health Centers, and
  • Receive the second vaccine in the required schedule for that vaccine’s series.
Vaccination & Deferral Forms
Exemption Forms

Students accessing SUNY facilities for any in-person classes or activities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with limited exception. This policy includes students coming to campus for academic courses, Workforce Development courses, athletics, campus life, residence life, student services, and Sheriff’s Academy. This policy does not extend to employees attending Workforce Development courses on behalf of their employers.

If a student is taking online coursework only and has no plans to participate in any on-campus activities or interactions, the COVID-19 vaccination is not required.

The COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are free and available through the Chautauqua County and Cattaraugus County health department clinics and many pharmacies.

With the news from the CDC and Governor Hochul’s office, masks are not currently mandated in buildings or classrooms at any JCC location. Any employee, student, or visitor who wishes to continue masking for any reason may do so without question or explanation. Employees and students are welcome to contact a Health Center for masks to best protect them from virus transmission.

All plexiglass barriers remain intact. These barriers continue to protect students and employees from airborne illnesses beyond COVID-19 such as colds, influenza, and pneumonia during peak season of these illnesses.

COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated persons

At-home testing is mandatory for students with medical or religious exemptions.

Testing is required the second and fourth week of each month. These tests will be provided by the Health Centers, and results will be tracked. Students are responsible to pick up their testing kits from the Health Centers.