Graduate Studies COVID-19 Updates

View SUNY Oswego's Oswego Forward Page for Reopening Information
SUNY Oswego Spring 2021 Covid Baseline Procedures
Graduate Studies Update for September 25
Message to Current Students about Pause in In-Person Instruction
GMAT Available Online
SUNY Oswego Commencement Postponed
Course Withdrawal Deadline Extended to May 8th, Fee Waived
GRE and TOEFL Now Available Online, GMAT Coming Soon
Graduate Scholarship Application Deadline Extended to April 15
Graduate Application Review with Unofficial Transcripts and Test Scores Pending
CTE Comprehensive Exam Waiver
Graduate Application Review Continues
Message to Current Graduate Assistants
Message to Current Graduate Assistant Supervisors
Message to Current Graduate students
Graduate Studies is Here For You Remotely

01/22/2021 - SUNY Oswego Spring 2021 Covid Baseline Procedures

The Division of Graduate Studies welcomes you to the spring 2021 semester at SUNY Oswego! Whether you’re a new graduate student or nearing completion of your graduate degree, we have important information to share with you regarding Covid testing and your responsibility as a student. Our campuses in Oswego and Syracuse are taking multiple precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and community as we navigate the spring semester amidst a global health crisis.

Below, you will find specific guidance regarding Covid testing procedures as you prepare to come to the Oswego and/or Syracuse campus for the spring semester. Additionally, you can find specific guidance about your responsibilities by clicking the links below. You can also find this information on the Oswego Forward / COVID 19 website under "Campus Bulletin". Please note that all guidance and requirements apply to our campuses in Oswego and Syracuse, though dates regarding baseline testing for each campus differ slightly.

Baseline testing for RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS
Baseline testing for COMMUTERS COMING TO CAMPUS
Baseline testing for COMMUTERS FULLY REMOTE

In addition, we encourage you to visit our Oswego Forward website, which contains previously shared information (e.g., important dates, timelines) and details on testing, pre-screening, precautionary quarantine and your return to / arrival on campus. It will also provide you with updates to campus policies and practices as the semester progresses.

If you have more specific questions or require additional support regarding your responsibilities as a student regarding Covid, please contact [email protected]. We encourage you to reach out to the Division of Graduate Studies ([email protected]) if we can answer any questions as you begin the spring 2021 semester.

Wishing you a safe and successful semester,

Kristen Eichhorn, Dean of Graduate Studies
Laura Spenceley, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies

What do students have to do before coming to campus this spring?

Pre-Screen Daily for 14 Days Prior to Arrival– All students coming to campus for any reason must pre-screen daily for travel history, COVID-19 history and COVID-19 symptoms beginning 14 days prior to arriving on our Oswego or Syracuse campus for the spring 2021 semester. The student pre-screening form can be found via the patient portal (under the COVID Status tab). Off-campus students who will be coming to campus for classes, services and resources should begin their daily pre-screening 14 days prior to their scheduled COVID test on campus.

If you are a new graduate student who will be residing on campus, and you will be on campus for move-in or your Covid test within the 14 day screening window, please begin your daily pre-screen immediately. Quarantine for 7 Days Prior to Visiting Campus– All students coming to the Syracuse or Oswego campus for any reason (including Covid baseline testing) must complete a seven-day precautionary quarantine prior to returning to campus. All SUNY Oswego students who are coming to campus must attest that they have quarantined for 7 days and agree to the Oswego ‘Spring Forward’ Pledge prior to baseline testing. Visit the Oswego Forward Pledge website to “take the pledge.”

What students are required to complete baseline and surveillance testing at the Oswego or Syracuse campus?

Any student who resides on campus, attends courses on campus (whether fully face-to-face or hybrid), works on campus, or intends to be on campus using services is required to complete baseline and surveillance testing.

Are students who are in a fully online graduate program required to complete baseline and surveillance testing at SUNY Oswego?

Maybe. Any graduate student who will be on campus in Oswego or Syracuse for any reason is required to participate in Covid testing. Some online students have responsibilities that would require them to be at the Syracuse or Oswego campus; those students would be required to participate. Only students who will not be on campus for any reason are exempt from baseline and surveillance testing.

Can a student test elsewhere and send their results to campus?

Graduate students enrolled in courses at the Oswego campus who are required to complete Covid testing will be required to take a baseline test between 1/21 - 1/29; baseline testing for graduate students taking courses exclusively at the Syracuse campus were required to take a baseline test on 1/19. Additionally, graduate students may test elsewhere and upload their results to Health Services via their Patient Portal. Please note that the results must be uploaded and approved by Health Services before the student can be on-campus in Syracuse or Oswego.

How often will students be required to test during the spring semester?

Following baseline testing, students who will be coming to campus in Syracuse and/or Oswego will be required to engage in ongoing surveillance testing. The frequency of surveillance testing will be communicated to students via their SUNY Oswego email. You are responsible for compliance with the surveillance testing protocol, and there will be consequences for those students who do not comply. Students must ensure they are reading all campus notifications, sent to their oswego.edu email address, for the most up-to-date information.

Where does on-campus testing take place?

We are testing our students on campus at our Lee Hall Testing Center.

If I am a commuter student, where should I park to enter the Lee Hall Testing Center? Will I need a parking permit?

The best location to park to access the Testing Center is Lot P-23. You will enter Lot P-23 from Sheldon Ave. Parking lot P-23 is located just north of Rich Hall and east of the Lee Hall Testing Center. You are not required to have a parking permit to park in Lot P-23during Testing Center hours.

What identification do I need to enter the testing center?

We encourage students to use their student ID card for identification, but if you do not have your student ID (because you are a new student or because it is lost), then you just need your student ID number (starts with “805” or “806”), and another form of photo identification. You can find your Student ID number in myOswego under your ‘Student Profile.’

How do I sign up for a testing appointment?

New graduate students who will be living on-campus do not have to sign up for a baseline testing appointment. New students’ confirmed move-in time slot from Residence Life and Housing is their time for their baseline testing appointment.
- Following initial baseline testing, all students must sign up for a testing appointment at tickets.oswego.edu. New students will need to complete their user profile, entering a campus address and billing/shipping address. This will only need to be done once during your time at Oswego.
Students living off-campus must sign up for a baseline testing appointment, scheduled between 1/21 and 1/29, at tickets.oswego.edu. New students living off-campus must also complete a user profile.
New and returning students who have never been tested at the Lee Hall Testing Center must ALSO pre-register for an account at the SUNY Upstate website at www.suny-covid-test.com/ prior to their testing appointment. We recommend that you complete this step when you have access to your insurance information.

Why is my insurance information required?

The SUNY Upstate website will require students to enter their insurance information. This is not to charge students for the cost of the test, which is covered by SUNY. Instead, Upstate Medical University, the processor of our Covid tests, uses this information for reimbursement of test processing costs.

Please note: Required baseline and surveillance testing at the Lee Hall Testing Center are free to students of the College. If you receive a bill from your insurance company to pay for your Covid test, please email [email protected].

How does the pooled testing work?

The on campus testing is pooled saliva testing which means that groups of 10-12 saliva specimens are pooled (put into a single batch) and tested together at Upstate. If the pool tests positive, then each individual specimen is then individually tested to determine who in the pool is positive. You will only be contacted if your specimen tests positive.

What happens if a student tests positive at the Lee Hall Testing Center?

Students living on-campus: Students who test positive at the Lee Hall Testing Center are notified by Health Services that they have tested positive. Students are then supported by the Oswego County Department of Health, Quarantine & Isolation Coordinator, Residence Life and Housing, and Health Services to be transported to the Isolation location in Lonis or Moreland Halls. Ample services, including three meals per day, snacks, cleaning supplies, and linens are available to students in quarantine and isolation.
Students living off-campus: Students who test positive at the Lee Hall Testing Center and live off-campus are notified by Health Services and provided support by the Oswego County Department of Health and Health Services. Students who live off-campus are not provided a quarantine or isolation room on-campus.

Is the campus requiring students to receive the Covid vaccine?

At this time the campus is not requiring students to receive the Covid vaccine, and we do not currently have any vaccines available for distribution. If you have received the Covid vaccine this does not exempt you from testing requirements. You can check the New York State COVID website for more information about vaccine phases.

09/25/2020 - Graduate Studies Weekly Update for September 25, 2020

Dear Current Graduate Students,

We have one week of Pause behind us and although we don’t have any updates about the resumption of in-person instruction, we did want to let you know about some opportunities and other resources for managing the stress inherent in these times as well as some ways to grow.

The Laker Itinerary. A daily list of virtual programming including careers, health and entertainment.
Writing and Coping: Student Writing Group. A workshop series sponsored by the Writing Fellows Program and Counseling Services.
“How to Get Hired in a Virtual World.” From Career Services, tips on networking, behavioral interviewing strategies and more ways to stand out in a virtual landscape.
Tell us your story! The Division of Graduate Studies needs student profiles and stories for use in our marketing. Doing an interesting project or have great research findings? Let us know! Did you have a unique path to Oswego and graduate school? Prospective students could benefit from your experience. We’d love to feature you in some of our marketing materials. Some students may even be profiled in Oswego Today -- a great addition to your professional social media presence. Contact Christine Clay, Assistant Director of Graduate Studies for more information at [email protected].

From Your Faculty: Amy Bidwell, Ph.D. Health Promotion and Wellness

Hi Graduate Students.
I know these are challenging times for all especially as a graduate student. As you try to balance your academics and numerous other obligations, it is easy to let your personal well-being take a back seat. As a professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Wellness and an active member on the SUNY Oswego Wellbeing Committee, I want to remind you of how important it is to maintain balance in your life by focusing on all areas of your well-being. I work with undergraduates, graduates and employees around campus to help them find that right balance. Whether it is through positive psychology strategies, journaling, physical activity and many other resiliency techniques, I strive to help others thrive and flourish. Recently, I implemented a 6-week self-care workshop titled Flourish and Thrive at Oswego. Feel free to email me if you would like to join. Remember, you cannot stress over things that you cannot control. Live in the now and be well!
Dr. Bidwell.

Important Upcoming Dates - Winter 2021 Registration

View Classes on September 28

Thank you to our students who completed the Graduate Studies Brief Survey to let us know how you are doing and how we can help. It’s not too late to answer a few quick questions here.

Best Wishes for a Relaxing Weekend.

Sincerely,

Kristen Eichhorn, Dean, Graduate Studies
Laura Spenceley, Associate Dean, Graduate Studies
Christine Clay, Assistant Director of Graduate Studies
Sharon Griffin, Graduate Admissions Counselor
Shana Vandish, Admissions Secretary
Christine Dallas, Secretary to the Dean

09/18/2020 - Oswego Pause of Instruction: Graduate Student Information and Resources

Dear Current Graduate Students,

As you may have already read, today (September 18) President Deborah Stanley announced SUNY Oswego is implementing a voluntary pause to in-person instruction beginning September 19 with a plan to resume in-person learning October 5. You can read the full statement here.

As we go forward--please know the Division of Graduate Studies is committed to implementing the necessary steps for all of our graduate students to continue their work productively and our office will remain available to assist you. This change to the method of instruction is not a change to our office’s operations. Our team is well equipped on campus and in our home offices to provide you with the support and care you deserve.

We will continue to reach out and keep you informed with new information and post on our special COVID-19 section of the Graduate Studies website.

In addition to our information below, let us know how you are doing.Please consider completing this brief survey the Division of Graduate Studies can use to determine additional ways we can support your education.

Here are a few areas of interest that we have compiled for you to help you stay connected during these uncertain times:

COVID-19 Testing Information

Get tested at Lee Hall. Appointments are required. Sign up here. Look for "COVID TESTING (Students)."
Not on/near the Oswego campus? Find a testing site near you. Insert your zip code and find a testing site in your neighborhood.

Make Yourself Heard: The Graduate Student Voice is Important

Oswego’s President Stanley holds virtual drop-in hours each month to meet with graduate students. Check Oswego’s campus calendar for more information.
Oswego’s faculty want to hear from you! If you are facing any difficulty with attending your classes or with your workload, please contact your instructor. Sooner is better than later to ask for help or guidance.
Graduate assistants: If you need clarity on moving forward with your work assignments or have other questions, please reach out to your supervisor, instructor, or advisor to start a dialog. The Graduate Studies office is also here for you. If you are having trouble with getting in touch with your supervisor/faculty, please contact us at [email protected]. We are happy to serve as facilitators for you to ensure your success.
National and local elections are your opportunity to participate in our democracy. Vote Oswego is back to assist with voter registration, requesting absentee ballots and learning about local ballot initiatives. Click here to learn more about Vote Oswego’s programming.
We invite you to complete this brief survey so we can understand your needs and improve our service to you. Access the Survey here.

Wellness and Counseling Resources Available to Graduate Students

Telecounseling is available to currently enrolled graduate students at our Counseling Services Center - each counselor has created a virtual office, or can provide a service by phone, please call 315-312-4416 for more information.
Other available providers in the community by using one of these services.
- Thriving Campus
- Better Mynd
For self-care tips and counseling updates consider following them on instagram @mindful_oz or check out our Counseling Services Hub.
Want some insight into what you may be experiencing? Online screenings are available for depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol, eating disorders, generalized anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Check out Let's Talka virtual and informal way to drop in and talk with a counselor.
Attend the Flourish and Thrive @ Oswego virtual workshops. To learn more and to register, click here.
The Students Helping Oz Peers (SHOP) food pantry is open to provide food and toiletry items to graduate students in need in the Penfield Library. Online ordering is available. SHOP is also looking for volunteers. Want to find a way to help your fellow Oz students? Volunteer to bag up orders in the SHOP pantry. More information on ordering or volunteering can be found on the SHOP Pantry website.

Virtual Campus Engagement and Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students

Stay tuned for virtual events connected to Graduate Studies week coming up soon!
The annual ALANA Student Leadership Conference will be held virtually this year to provide panels and speakers that promote and celebrate diversity and unity. The keynote address will be held on September 23 at 6:30pm with speaker Minnijean Brown-Trickey, a lifelong activist and one of the Little Rock Nine who helped desegregate public schools in the 1950s. For more information and to register for events, visit the ALANA Conference website here.
Funding Opportunity: The Student Scholarly and Creative Activity Grant is open to graduate students to foster research and creative work with an Oswego faculty sponsor. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to fund your work and receive recognition for your efforts. The deadline to apply is November 2, 2020. More information can be found here.
Have you checked out the Oswego Events calendar lately Virtual opportunities such as exercise classes, art exhibitions, sports events and lectures can all be found. For example, don’t miss out on this year’s Oswego Reading Initiative visiting lecture from Tommy Orange, author of “There There,” winner of the 2019 Hemmingway Foundation/PEN Award on September 30 at 7pm.

Together, we are still moving Oswego Forward with our commitment to professional development and community engagement. Stay engaged with our Oswego community and learn more at #TogetherOZ

Thank you for your continued perseverance and please know that all of us within the Division of Graduate Studies stand ready and willing to assist you. Email us at any time at [email protected] to ask a question or schedule an appointment. Consider letting us know how we can improve our services by contacting us directly or through the brief survey.

We have seen many examples of resilience from our graduate community already this year and we are so proud of your dedication to academic excellence.

Stay well,

04/20/2020 - Online GMAT Now Available

The GMAT is now available online.

More information is available here: GMAT Online Experience

04/20/2020 - Online GMAT Now Available

The GMAT is now available online.

More information is available here: GMAT Online Experience

04/01/2020 - SUNY Oswego Commencement Postponed

To the SUNY Oswego graduating class of 2020:

I hope this message finds you and all your loved ones healthy and safe. We are thinking about you and missing you on campus right now but we are also planning for the future when we will emerge from the threat of COVID-19, hopefully having been able to contain and reduce its harm through our prudent actions of social distancing and staying home, for the present. As we look ahead, we are setting the stage for what will come. So, today I must inform you that we are postponing all May 16, 2020 commencement ceremonies and rescheduling them for a later date.

Commencement is always a special time and we recognize how important it is for you, your families, friends, and loved ones. Your college degree has deep meaning for all who care about you and seeing you walk across the stage holds great significance for them. Many of you have let me know that you have been looking forward to the formal conferral of your degrees and having festive celebrations to make memories. We want that too — to celebrate your well-earned achievements and welcome you back to campus by the shores of Lake Ontario. At this moment, we do not know exactly when the time will be right to identify a new date, but we will stay in touch as plans take shape and we will give you plenty of notice.

Although this semester has taken completely unexpected turns, I hope you will stay focused on the last few weeks of classes to ensure your success. And, know too that your diploma will be sent to you once all your graduation requirements have been met — even without a ceremony of commencement in May.

Thank you for understanding. I am eager to see you again, soon. #TogetherOz

With warm regards,

Deborah F. Stanley
President

03/31/2020 - Course Withdrawal Deadline Extended to May 8th, Fee Waived

Oswego has extended the Course Withdrawal Deadline to May 8th and waived the associated $20 fee.

For information from the Registrar and to access the Withdrawal Form

03/27/2020 - GRE and TOEFL Now Available Online

Educational Testing Services (ETS), the organization that administers the GRE and TOEFL exams has implemented an online version of these tests.

Register for the Online GRE
Register for the Online TOEFL

The GMAT will be available online in the near future. The current estimate is April 15.

Latest updates on the online GMAT

03/27/2020 - Graduate Scholarship Application Deadline Extended to April 15

We are thrilled to deliver you some good news...and let you know about SEVERAL fellowship/scholarship opportunities available to only SUNY Oswego graduate students. Our SUNY Oswego community and generous alumni have invested in your future success through these unique funding opportunities. See the award descriptions below and apply today! We are prepared to distribute over 50k in awards and several more thousands in tuition scholarships! You will be amazed at how easy it is to apply for these awards. Login to apply today to be eligible. -- New Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Apply for Scholarships through Graduate Studies

Apply for Scholarships through the Alumni Association

03/25/2020 - Graduate Application Review During Registrar’s Office and GRE/GMAT Testing Center Closures

Thank you for your interest in graduate programs at SUNY Oswego. We understand that centers for taking standardized tests are currently closed due to public safety concerns surrounding COVID-19. Many college offices may also be closed making it difficult to obtain an official transcript. At this time, SUNY Oswego will be reviewing applications that do not have a test score attached and with an unofficial transcript. Please note, any testing/transcript requirements are not being waived, but instead our programs will look to offer conditional acceptances pending submission of official transcripts and/or satisfactory test scores when testing becomes available. For programs requiring standardized tests, the application will not allow you to “submit” unless you have entered the date of the test. If you have not taken the test and do not have a test date scheduled due to COVID-19 closures, please enter the date you complete the application in the box for your test date. This will allow for application submission and review. Educational Testing Services (ETS - the organization that administers the GRE) is currently developing plans to offer the GRE online and we will post an update when we have more information.

03/25/2020 - CTE Comprehensive Exams Waived for May and August 2020 Graduates

Dear CTE Graduating Students,

Each of us here in the Career & Technical Educator Preparation Department wishes you the very best during this stressful time. As you know, the Graduate Comprehensive Exam is the culminating experience for all candidates receiving the MSEd in our department. This exam is administered on-campus once every semester. Currently a number of you signed up for the April 4th session of this exam. It has become apparent that with the closing of the campus, we will not be able to administer the exam on that date and therefore it is being CANCELED. With the uncertainty of the remainder of the semester, we will not be able to reschedule it. In consultation with Dr. Kristen Eichhorn, Dean of Graduate Studies, it has been determined that for those individuals graduating in May 2020 and August 2020, the Comprehensive Exam will be WAIVED. Again this waiver is only for those candidates officially graduating in May and August. We are hopeful that during the fall semester, we will once again be able to establish a date for the Comprehensive Exam and return once again to a normal schedule. We thank you for your understanding and sincerely hope that this will alleviate some stress on you during this difficult time. Should you have any questions, please contact your advisor or any of us in the CTEP department.

Dr. Margaret H. Martin [email protected]
Dr. Benjamin Ogwo [email protected]
Dr. Jan Woodworth [email protected]

03/20/2020 - Graduate Application Review Continues

Thank you for your graduate application to SUNY Oswego. Although all our current courses are being delivered online or through distance education, the administrative functions of the university are continuing to provide services as usual and we are committed to working to ensure there is no disruption to your experience as an applicant. The Division of Graduate Studies is continuing to review applications to ensure the application process will continue to run smoothly. Applications are still being read by our faculty and we are making admissions decisions on a daily basis.

Feel free to check the Graduate Studies website for any general news about graduate programs and certificates at Oswego. Further, we encourage you to reach out to us directly via email ([email protected]) with any questions about the application process or timelines If you’d like specific feedback about the status of your application, you can login to our application portal here: https://apply.oswego.edu/account/login. We thank you for your interest in SUNY Oswego!

03/20/2020 - Current Graduate Students

Dear Graduate Students at SUNY Oswego,

We wanted to reach out to you all and let you know we are thinking about you during these challenging times. We hope you are able to connect with your faculty, peers, and mentors to understand how specifically this will impact your assignments and progress. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns about your academic progress, accessing your coursework, connecting with your faculty, or accessing learning supports during this period of distance and virtual learning.

For your own health, and the health of others, we implore you to:

Practice appropriate social distancing (6’' between individuals),
Sanitize your surfaces frequently (including your cell phone)
Practice good hygiene (frequent handwashing with soap and water, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve, not your hand, avoiding touching your face — especially eyes, nose, mouth)
Avoid shaking hands and other person-to-person contact

Please consider that while you, as a graduate student, may believe you are in a lower-risk category if you have no underlying health issues, you can contract and transmit COVID-19 to others who are more vulnerable, such as peers with underlying health conditions, those who are older and thus more at risk for this particular disease, or to family and friends. All of us share the responsibility to take action to combat this pandemic and reduce its possible impact.

As we navigate this situation together, we encourage you to reach out to us if we can offer support, guidance, or feedback on how best to continue to move through your graduate program successfully.

Sincerely,
The Division of Graduate Studies

3/18/2020 – Message to Graduate Assistants

Dear Graduate Assistants,

As we navigate our response to COVID-19, we understand there are many questions regarding GA roles and responsibilities during this time of distance learning and social distancing. We are reaching out to encourage GAs to complete this telecommuting application form (please use your oswego.edu email account to do so) and encouraging supervisors to discuss options for remote work by GAs during this time. The Division of Graduate Studies is committed to funding all of our current GAs, and any GA that is currently employed will continue to receive compensation.

If supervisors have any questions about working with your GA during this time, please reach out to our Graduate Dean, Dr. Kristen Eichhorn, directly via email ([email protected]). We will also be following up with a direct note to all supervisors. We understand this is a challenging situation with frequent updates and changes to daily practice, and we thank you for your partnership in ensuring our GAs continue to have the opportunity to contribute to the SUNY Oswego community during this period.

As a reminder, please visit SUNY Oswego’s COVID-19 site for the most up to date messages from the university

https://www.oswego.edu/walker-health-center/covid-19

Sincerely,
The Division of Graduate Studies

3/18/2020 – Graduate Assistant Supervisors

Dear Graduate Assistant Supervisors,

As we navigate our response to COVID-19, we understand there are many questions regarding GA roles and responsibilities during this time of distance learning and social distancing. We have reached out to all current GAs and asked them to complete this telecommuting application form. While we understand that some GAs may need to visit campus occasionally, we want to emphasize that GAs are not typically considered essential staff, and thus, should have the opportunity to make their contributions to campus remotely.

The Division of Graduate Studies is committed to funding all of our current GAs, and any GA that is currently employed will continue to receive compensation. For any GA funded through our office, we are willing to commit those funds for the remainder of the academic year, even if an agreement to telecommute between supervisor and GA cannot be reached. In this situation, the GA would be reassigned to another supervisor.

If you have any questions as a GA supervisor during this time, please reach out to Kristen directly via email ([email protected]).

We understand this is a challenging situation with frequent updates and changes to daily practice, and we thank you for your partnership in ensuring our GAs continue to have the opportunity to contribute to the SUNY Oswego community during this period.

Sincerely,
The Division of Graduate Studies

03/17/2020 - Graduate Application Review Continues

Feel free to check the Graduate Studies website for any general news about graduate programs and certificates at Oswego. Further, we encourage you to reach out to us directly via email ([email protected]) with any questions about the application process or timelines If you’d like specific feedback about the status of your application, you can log in to our application portal here: https://apply.oswego.edu/account/login. We thank you for your interest in SUNY Oswego!