Daemen College began formulating policy and procedures in response to the COVID-19 Crisis in January. Below you will find a timeline of milestones through this fluid and flexible situation:

Daemen College Actions
National, State & Local Key Events
July
21 Jul

Check in and wellness kit pick up for returning Wave 3 employees

11 Jul

Testing date for Wave 3 employees

9 Jul

Media notified of mandatory COVID-19 testing for students, faculty, and staff and news coverage received

6 Jul

Updating website to reflect reopening has begun

1 Jul

Daemen's New York State Business Reopening Plan has been uploaded to the website. Official reopening plan has been finalized - can be accessed through MyDaemen for those with Daemen email addresses.

June
29 Jun

Reopening of the Wildcat Den

25 Jun
  • Check in and wellness kit pick up for returning Wave 2 employees and student workers
  • New visitor protocols set in place
24 Jun

Equipment to upgrade 13 classrooms has been ordered

22 Jun

Dr. Greg Nayor interviewed for Spectrum News story on NYS guidelines for colleges reopening

20 Jun

Testing date for Wave 2 employees and student workers

15 Jun

Fall semester changes released to local media and news coverage received

10 Jun

All funds from the CARES Act have been released

4 Jun

Daemen featured in Buffalo News front story on plans for reopening for fall classes

3 Jun

Check in and wellness kit pick up for returning Wave 1 employees and current residential students

1 Jun

All signage was placed around campus

May
30 May

First testing date for Wave 1 employees and students currently living on campus

29 May

Campus Clearance Form is up and running for Wave 1 employees

20 May

Established that everyone returning to campus will be required to take a diagnostics test (students, staff, faculty)

19 May

ERT members began setting up office spaces in anticipation for the return of Wave 1 employees

15 May

New text number established for faculty and staff to ask COVID related questions

2 May

President Olson was interviewed by Channel 4 news in regards to how Daemen plans to reopen in the fall Week of 5/4 - students begin moving out/off campus & picking up their belongings

1 May

began transitioning to developing the reopening plan

April
29 Apr
  • Reorganized ERT to plan scenarios for Fall 2020
  • Opening with a focus on protocols and procedures for people's health and well-being
  • Shared plan with the Town of Amherst
20 Apr

SUNY distributes laptops to students in need to complete spring coursework

  • PT student tested positive, was an off campus student
  • Over 500 students submitted Stimulus Application
17 Apr
  • Letter to students regarding Stimulus Applications
  • Dr. Olson Video - COVID-19 Updates, Financial Support from Government, Enrollment Update, Summer Session Update
16 Apr

Governor Cuomo extended the state's stay at home order through May 15

15 Apr

All NYS residents required to wear face masks or coverings in public places

Announced First Summer Session will be online

14 Apr

No more Self-Quarantine on campus

8 Apr

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) directive requiring to wear a cloth face mask

7 Apr
  • Student Activities Virtual Engagement site active
  • Worked with Academic Affairs to create a Holistic
  • Admissions Process starting in 2021 to make it easy for students to enter Daemen for ALL majors without test scores
3 Apr
  • First Student tested Positive from Amherst campus, but was at home
  • Student Housing Refund checks issued
  • Dr. Olson Video, Staff - Positive COVID-19 test, Financial Strength and Recruitment/Retention Effort
  • Dr. Olson Video, Students - Message of Support
1 Apr
  • Purchased Extra Laptops for reservations
  • Created Deferred Tuition Plan for prospective students to help start college on time
March
30 Mar

Purchased more Zoom pro licenses

29 Mar

White House extends social distancing guidelines through April 30

27 Mar

Message to Federal Work Study students

26 Mar

Commencement Postponed

23 Mar

Gloves donated to Kaleida Health

22 Mar

NYS on Pause Program, mandate that all non-essential workers work from home

20 Mar
  • Adjusted Shuttle Schedules
  • Finalized Housing Credits and Refunds
  • Moved to only essential personnel on campus; created operating schedule to keep the campus open as needed
19 Mar

SUNY campuses mandated to close and move to a distance-learning

  • Message with Support Services details
  • Dr. Olson Video - CDC Guidelines, COVID-19 Updates, Online Classes
18 Mar

Transformed previous COVID-19 website to a robust “Daemen Preparedness Center” to include info for students, faculty, and staff

17 Mar
  • Daemen College President and ERT Incident Commander met with Town of Amherst Emergency Operations Team to combine efforts and open up communication
  • Created virtual Accepted Student Day
  • Bumped Housing Selection back
  • Room Sanitation and Green Door Tag system put in place
  • Created COVID Technology Needs List
  • Laptop Reservation System
16 Mar
  • Wildcat Media and Entertainment podcast with Drs. Nayor and Brogan answering student questions
  • AWC Closed
  • General "blitz" of cleaning daily 11 am and 2 pm
  • All Facilities, Dining Services, and Campus Safety staff in gloves
15 Mar
  • Messages to prospective students and their families about staying open, transitioning to virtual events, etc.
  • Messages to residential students letting them know we would stay open, but restricting visitors, quarantines, etc.
13 Mar
  • Service learning field experience & academic festival cancelled, Grad fair postponed
  • Ordered handheld sanitizer machines and a pump
  • Schedule for deep-cleaning
12 Mar

Governor Cuomo announced restrictions on mass gatherings

  • Extend Spring Break, then Distance Online Learning
  • Standard Social Media Post created
  • Residential Students sent Self-Disclosure Forms
  • Dining Services transitioned to styrofoam & plastic-ware
  • Counseling began hosting Zoom and telephone sessions
  • Student Support Services transitioned to virtual/phone
  • Created “Daily Briefing Log” of all ERT activity
  • Moved to Daily meeting for Central and Command Staff”
11 Mar

SUNY prepares for Distance Learning for remainder of spring semester

9 Mar
  • ERT Members implemented Incident Command System, dividing tasks into 4 key areas: Operations, Logistics, Planning, and Finances
  • Self-Discloure Forms sent to campus community
7 Mar

Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency in NY

6 Mar

Dr. Olson letter explaining ERT proactive planning

5 Mar

Created a special COVID-19 website with important updates and information

2 Mar

Message to students with tips for the Coronavirus, Spring Break Travel, and CDC Recommendations

February
7 Feb

ERT conducted an Influenza Like Illness Tabletop Exercise

6 Feb

First death in US

January
31 Jan

US declares COVID-19 a public health emergency

1 Jan

First coronavirus case confirmed in US

Message to campus community about Coronavirus