ATHLETICS
All athletics staff and student-athletes are required to submit proof of vaccination as per the HWS requirement for those traveling on behalf of the Colleges.
Sources of Guidance/Directives for Policies and Protocols:
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges
- Center for Disease Control
- New York State & Ontario County
- NCAA Sports Science Institute & Conference associations
Current COVID-19 concerns:
- Delta variant is highly infectious and spread of the Delta variant has been swift in states with low vaccination rates.
- Students are coming to campus from all over the U.S. and other countries.
- Monitoring coronavirus transmission rates for Ontario and surrounding counties.
- According to CDC, individuals in counties with “substantial” and “high” rates of transmission must wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Transmission Rate Chart*
| Indicator | Low Transmission = Blue | Moderate Transmission = Yellow | Substantial Transmission = Orange | High Transmission = Red |
| Total new cases per 100k persons in past 7 days | 0-9.99 | 10-49.99 | 50-99.99 | ≥100 |
| % of NAATs** that are + during past 7 days | 0-4.99% | 5-7.99% | 8-9.99% | ≥10.0% |
* CDC COVID Data Tracker
** Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) | CDC
Vaccinations – Submitting Proof of Vaccination:
- Staff: submit proof of vaccination at COVID-19 Vaccine Confirmation Form - Formstack
- Student-Athletes: Submit proof of vaccination by uploading documentation to the COVID-19 Vaccination Portal Submit your COVID-19 vaccination record (miniextensions.com)
- Portal requires a PIN which was emailed to each student.
- Completion of vaccination status required prior to receiving keys for student housing.
- If no proof of vaccination, student will be considered non-vaccinated
- For students choosing not to be vaccinated, they would select “I am not intending to be vaccinated”.
- A Campus Life/Hubbs Staff member will follow up with those students who check that box to discuss the exception requested.
- Submit vaccination information to sports medicine via sports medicine preparticipation medical paperwork.
Vaccinated Members of HWS community:
- “Fully vaccinated”: individuals are considered fully vaccinated beginning 14 days after their final dose of a Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca vaccination.
- Are at less risk of an adverse outcome of COVID-19 infection.
- If county transmission risk is moderate or low, vaccinated people are not required to wear face mask on campus with the exception of campus medical facilities (i.e., Hubbs, sports medicine clinics); however, may be requested to wear a mask by faculty or staff in classroom/team settings.
- Will not be required to quarantine if considered a close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Unvaccinated Members of HWS community:
- Are at risk for infection & severe illness especially in areas where the transmission level is high.
- Must wear face masks while in public indoor spaces.
Prior History of COVID-19 infection:
- Ontario County Department of Health recommends starting vaccination process soon after isolation (timeframe not defined). Consult a physician or Hubbs Health Center for further information.
Symptomatic Individuals:
- Student-athletes: contact Hubbs Health Center for evaluation and potential COVID-19 test
- Staff: contact primary care physician for evaluation and potential COVID-19 test
- Please do NOT come to work if you are sick, running a fever, or other symptoms of COVID-19 and wear a mask when in proximity to others, even if not required, until symptom free
Spectators:
- Home HWS athletics events for the 2021 fall semester permit spectators unless a notice communicates a change in policy.
- All spectators, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks covering the nose and mouth in indoor public spaces at HWS.
- HWS Athletics encourages all spectators to wear masks covering the nose and mouth in outdoor crowded spaces.
- At this time, the SAA Tent will not be available for game day SAA member tailgates.
- Please do not come to campus, if in the past 14 days you
- have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19
- experienced or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or are feeling ill
- tested positive for COVID-19.
- Check spectator policies of opposing teams before traveling to that college or university.
Communication Process of Positive Test, Isolation and Quarantine
Positive Test and Isolation Directive to a Student-Athlete
AD will communicate any team directives
Quarantine Directive to a Student-Athlete
AD will communicate any team directives
Positive Test or Quarantine of a Staff Member
- Staff member to inform their direct report and the Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics and Recreation.
- Staff member required to follow the directive of their county health department.
COVID-19 Management – Officials:
Officials contracted to officiate HWS athletic contests are required to meet one of the following:
- Be fully vaccinated (Strongly Encouraged),
- Show the game day manager a negative result of a PCR test taken within 3 days of competition or antigen test within one day of competition*, or
- Wear a mask when in indoor HWS facilities. Wear a mask during indoor HWS competitions. Wear a mask during outdoor HWS competitions when physical distance cannot be met (i.e., communicating within six feet of other officials/players/coaches/staff/spectators).
- Officials who don’t comply with masking policies will be issued a verbal warning and the warning will be documented via email message with communication that should another infraction occur that they will not be permitted to officiate at HWS during the 2021-22 season.
- The assigner will be copied on the documented communication.
*Note, HWS will not test officials for SARS-CoV-2.