LOCH SHELDRAKE -- Earlier this week, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the SUNY and CUNY boards will require proof of vaccination for all students attending in-person classes this fall, and encouraged all private universities and colleges to adopt the same guidelines.

As of Tuesday, 112,150 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and nearly 1.1 million doses have been administered over the past seven days.

“More than 60 percent of the population here in New York has gotten at least one dose of the vaccine, but we remain aggressive in our efforts because the reality is we are seeing a decline in the vaccination rate not only here in our state but nationwide," Governor Cuomo said. "There is no factual argument against the vaccine, and there is no excuse not to get your shot. This vaccine is the weapon that will help us win the war on COVID, and so I urge everyone who still needs to take it to do so quickly at one of our many sites across the state.”

SUNY Sullivan President Jay Quaintance, when reached for comment on the Governor's announcement, said the health and safety of their faculty, staff and students has been their highest priority throughout the pandemic. He added that since last March the college has taken all steps necessary to ensure that they have limited exposure to the virus, and worked with the County to vaccinate as many residents as possible, including special clinics for the campus community.

“Governor Cuomo's announcement that, pending FDA approval, all students will be vaccinated is the next logical step in this process to get our campus open and back to normal,” said Quaintance. “We look forward to future guidance and assistance from the State.”