Hartwick College Strengthens Campus Visitation Policy

Hartwick College today announced it is changing its visitation policy by limiting public access to the campus. With the number of reported COVID-19 cases increasing over the past week in Oneonta and Otsego County, the College has decided to restrict the number and types of people allowed on campus.

This is a precautionary step only. There are no reported cases of COVID-19 on the Hartwick campus.

Effective immediately, only the following persons are permitted on the College’s 425-acre private property (including Table Rock and Strawberry Fields, Elmore Field and running track, and the Pine Lake Environmental Campus):

• Currently enrolled Hartwick students – residents and authorized commuters – and campus residents (students will be asked to show their WickIt cards at campus entrances). Remote learners are not permitted to enter campus;
• Parents and families of Hartwick students participating in controlled move-in through August 31;
• Hartwick employees;
• Scheduled Admissions or College Advancement visitors;
• People making regularly scheduled parcel deliveries (e.g. Fed Ex, UPS, etc.) or food deliveries, and;
• People with written authorization directly from a Hartwick College Vice President or the Chief Human Resource Officer.

The campus is closed to all other visitors until further notice. Anyone found in violation of this order will be charged with trespassing.

In an e-mail to the student body this morning, Vice President for Enrollment & Student Experience Karen McGrath said, “We will continue to take every necessary step to ensure that you can remain on campus through November 20, and receive face-to-face instruction whenever possible. Our collective success will depend on your actions.”

The College further reminded students to wear masks at all times while on campus, unless in private spaces such as residential hall rooms or cars. If students refuse to wear masks on campus, they will be sent home. Students are also being asked to be respectful of the Oneonta community by wearing masks and limiting their time off campus.

The College’s opening Wick Week continues through Sunday. Tonight, the annual Opening Convocation will be held virtually. Pre-recorded presentations and remarks by President Margaret L. Drugovich, faculty and staff will air at 7 p.m. through the College’s webpage.