IN THIS ISSUE

• Coronavirus update: No new cases reported as of 5 p.m. yesterday
• Student Check-In Town Hall is this afternoon at 4:45 p.m.
• Before the town hall, review the open letter to faculty from the Student Association
• Save the Date for the next “Dismantling Racism” town hall on Nov. 12
• SUNY Chancellor Malatras and President Christian issue comment letters on proposed U.S. Department of Homeland Security rule changes re: student visas
• Reminder from SUNY General Counsel: It is a violation to provide benefits for voting
• Opt-in COVID-19 pool testing, today and tomorrow at Awosting Hall
• Events and resources, including a free webinar tonight on supporting students of color during the pandemic
• The latest from media
• From our community: Recommendations from the Library on the intersection of horror cinema and race

Coronavirus updates

Oct. 29 report on confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the campus community
No new cases reported as of 5 p.m. yesterday

SUNY New Paltz COVID-19 Dashboard
The College's tally of active cases, on-campus testing, positivity rates, quarantine and more

SUNY System-wide COVID-19 Case Tracker
Published statistics from all 64 campuses, updated every 24 hours

News of the day

Reminder: Student Check-In Town Hall is this afternoon at 4:45 p.m.
An opportunity to share your experiences from this semester

In case you missed it: Open letter to faculty from the Student Association
Before today's town hall, consider reviewing this summary of students' experiences and recommendations for our current teaching and learning environment

Save the Date for the next “Dismantling Racism” town hall on Nov. 12
Students, faculty, staff and alumni will be welcome at this dialogue, designed as an opportunity for reflection following the election

Chancellor Malatras issues letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security strongly opposing proposed changes to student visa rules
"SUNY opposes in the strongest possible terms the Department's arbitrary and capricious effort to disenfranchise international students and exchange visitors"

President Christian also issued a comment letter regarding the proposed changes to student visa requirements
"If this proposed rule is adopted, it will change international education as we know it, which will have a lasting and far-reaching negative impact on the diplomacy, economy, and institutions of the United States"

SUNY General Counsel: It is a violation to provide benefits for voting
Faculty should not afford course credit or extra credit to students who show proof of voting

COVID-19 testing information

On-campus COVID-19 pool testing schedule (updated Oct. 23)
Pool testing continues today, open on a walk-in basis to all students and employees
Please be sure to set up your account before arriving for testing

Volunteers needed: Help make on-campus pool testing a success
Seeking greeters and attendants to assist with on-campus testing
Training and personal protective equipment will be provided

Employee COVID-19 testing: Your questions, answered
How mandatory employee testing works on our campus

PCR testing schedule for students
Click above to see when you are required to be tested, and visit the Student Health Service online to make an appointment

Events and resources

Upcoming Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion Trainings

• DISC: A model for understanding behavioral styles
  Friday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. via Webex
  
• Email Etiquette: Tips for sending clearer, more concise emails
  Thursday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. via Webex 
  
  
• Tools to make difficult conversations more positive and productive
  Thursday, Nov. 12, at 10:30 a.m. via Webex
  
• Flex Spending Account Info Session
  Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m. via Webex

Today at 6:30 p.m.: How can we bridge the digital and health divide for students of color during the pandemic?
Students, faculty and staff may be interested in this free webinar from the University of Kentucky, featuring panelists from the National Medical Association and the NAACP

Last call! The Hudson Valley Future Summit returns tomorrow morning
Don't miss this exciting discussion of innovation in the time of COVID-19

#WaitingInTheUnknown: Events to help students destress before the election
Including art therapy, shadow boxing, sunset yoga and much more!

Study Abroad Goes Virtual, Nov. 2 - 20 and Jan. 11 - 29
SUNY COIL Center offers this three-week workshop to help faculty transform existing global programs into engaging online experiences
Contact our campus COIL Coordinator Sarah Wyman for more info

Nov. 5: Hollaback! Stand up against street harassment
A one-hour training on how to safely intervene when you experience or witness harassment

The latest from media

SUNY New Paltz cancels spring break for students due to COVID-19 risk
President Christian explains decision to replace week-long break with five "Mind, Body and Spirit" days
News 12, 10/26/20

From Our Community

Daily Digest readers: We want to hear from you! 

• Have important news to share with the SUNY New Paltz community?
• Developed an innovative solution to improve remote teaching and learning?
• Figured out a lifehack to help yourself stay positive?
• Want to share a photograph with friends and colleagues?