ONEONTA, N.Y. – Hartwick College is planning to allow students back on campus by Aug. 22, according to a video posted by President Margaret L. Drugovich on Wednesday.

As it stands, higher education is included in Phase 4 of reopening in New York, which will tentatively begin Friday, June 26.

The state has issued guidelines for educational institutions on the NY Forward section of its website, including rules for social distancing and sanitization.

Drugovich says Hartwick is prepared to open under these new guidelines, and is looking forward to get back to in-person learning.

"I'm very pleased to say, that now having has the opportunity to review the guidance, our restart plan is in very, very good shape," she said. "Our decision to reopen rather than to remain remote is really built on our foundational belief that this is the best way to learn, that when you place eager students in the presence of career educators, who are really dedicated to helping them shape their future, that's when the magic happens."

Roughly 50 employees have returned to campus already, to help implement and test some of the new safety measures.

"This is very important because it gives us an opportunity to tests our system. Our systems for screening and density reduction and sanitization, symptom identification through screening and even contact tracing if necessary,” said Drugovich.

Schools and colleges must submit reopening plans to the state for review before moving forward. Drugovich says more details will be released once Hartwick’s plan is approved.