The two colleges in the Tri-Lakes area, Paul Smith’s College and North Country Community College, are reporting no on-campus COVID-19 cases.

Paul Smith’s has maintained in-person instruction with a thus-successful management plan.

NCCC has remained COVID-19-free on its three campuses, as most of its classes are being offered in an online format for the fall semester. Two remote-learning students tested positive for COVID-19 in late September through non-college-administered testing, but they have not been on campus, according to college spokesman Chris Knight.

“Our understanding is both students experienced very minor symptoms and are now in good health, which we’re grateful to hear,” Knight wrote in an email. “(They) have not been on campus and have not had any physical contact with any other students, or faculty or staff.”

As of Sept. 25, the New York Times reported that American colleges and universities had at least 130,000 cases of COVID-19. The State University of New York system has recorded 2,789 positive coronavirus tests at its campuses since Aug. 28 — 303 since Oct. 10. There have been outbreaks at state colleges in Oneonta, Oswego, Albany and Buffalo. In the North Country, SUNY Plattsburgh added nine positive tests in the past week, bringing it to 11 total this semester — the most among North Country colleges.

A mask reminder is seen in a Paul Smith’s College building entrance. (Provided photo — Paul Smith’s College)

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Paul Smith’s College

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Two months into Paul Smith’s College in-person return, at what has become the new semester midpoint, the college is currently reporting zero COVID-19 cases on campus. It plans to continue its in-person instruction until the end of the semester, which this year is before Thanksgiving.

All students, faculty and staff were tested for the virus by the second week of the semester, resulting in no positive cases. Since then, random cohorts of 25 to 75 individuals have been tested weekly.

Fewer than a dozen students quarantined on campus at first, after traveling to college from high-concentration areas. The number of students in quarantine is now at zero.

“With a thoughtful COVID-19 management plan, rigorously self-policed, we’ve been delivering face-to-face instruction since August without a single COVID case,” interim President Jon Strauss wrote in a press release. “We’re comfortable that we’ll be able to maintain that record thanks to the resilience and commitment of all our Smitties.”

The college introduced a modified fall semester schedule to reduce travel. Classes began early on Aug. 18. The traditional fall break was canceled. Students will return home for Thanksgiving and wrap up with online exams and capstone presentations in early December.

The college has a mask policy for when social distancing is not possible. It prohibits visitors and has daily online health screenings and remote learning options.

The college has also made flu shots available on campus for students and staff.

“While remaining free of COVID-19 is by no means an exact science, Paul Smith’s benefits from its geographical setting as well as a comprehensive management plan,” a press release from the college says. “This ongoing success benefits Paul Smith’s, which leans on experiential education on a 14,000-acre campus that includes various labs, kitchens and recreational spaces.”

The college also instituted the Smitty Safety and Civility Pledge, which outlines specific health and safety measures along with new campus guidelines. Students, faculty and staff have overwhelmingly agreed to uphold the standards of the pledge, according to the college.

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NCCC

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The two NCCC students reported their positive test results to an instructor, as well as to county public health officials so the necessary contact tracing could be conducted.

“North Country Community College, like other colleges and universities, expected that we would likely experience cases of the virus this fall, which is why we made the decision to conduct most instruction online and worked with SUNY and public health officials to implement screening, monitoring, social distancing, testing and other protocols for the small number of students and employees who would be on campus,” Knight wrote in an email.

Knight said in the last three weeks, select classes in radiologic technology and massage therapy programs have been held in person on the Saranac Lake campus, following SUNY-approved COVID-19 protocols.

All students in these classes must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 test prior to arriving on campus for any reason other than a curbside pickup arrangement. This rule also applies to students coming to campus to use the Learning Assistance Centers or computer labs, which are open by appointment only.

Students on campus regularly are required to participate in pooled surveillance testing by saliva every two weeks.

Knight said the college has tested 88 individuals on its three campuses — Saranac Lake, Malone and Ticonderoga — so far, with no positive results.