To get the answer, compare what your college has in place to what the State University of New York (SUNY) is requiring of its student body: students must test negative for Covid-19 within 10 days prior to leaving campus for Thanksgiving break. 

The university system plans to test about 140,000 students under the policy, which applies to “any student using on-campus facilities in any capacity,” according to the university system.

SUNY will work with county health departments to isolate or quarantine residential students who test positive or are exposed to COVID-19 within 14 days of the closing of the fall semester, according to school policy. 

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras called it “a smart, sensible policy that protects students’ families and hometown communities and drastically reduces the chances of Covid-19 spread.” 

Not all schools are doing what SUNY is doing, leaving many students poised to bring home more than dirty laundry, and bottomless stomachs for Thanksgiving and cheer.