While there’s still no word on what back-to-school this fall will look like for public students, colleges are releasing their reopening plans – including SUNY Orange.

Classes, including some science labs, nursing and dental hygiene courses, will be held at SUNY Orange campuses in Middletown and Newburgh starting Aug. 24.
While it’s a huge step forward since the pandemic shut down the school in March, it’s phase one of the college’s three-phased approach, according to President Dr. Kristine Young.
"We need to be thoughtful about how many students we have on campus at the same time and maintain social distancing," says Young.

The community college has 39 majors and expects less than a quarter of its students will return to some form of in-person learning in the fall, while the rest remain online.

So far, the college is seeing a 10% decrease in fall admissions while students and parents navigate uncertain times, but Dr. Young says that number may increase as some students opt to stay home a semester, rather than go to school out of state.

There is no word on if physical education will resume at SUNY Orange in the fall.

Student services, like admissions and financial aid, will remain online.