Important Vaccination, Testing, and Masking Reminders
A message from Dr. Renée White, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Tokumbo Shobowale, Executive Vice President for Business and Operations
Dear members of The New School community,
We are looking forward to seeing everyone on campus for the fall semester. We are excited to welcome those who are joining us for the first time and to welcome back our returning students, whether they were here last year or studying remotely.
In preparation for the start of the semester, below are important reminders and information about the vaccination, testing, and masking protocols we will follow to help ensure the health and safety of our community. We understand that some of the safety measures in place may be inconvenient and will require our collective time and attention, so we thank you in advance for your patience, understanding, and efforts to maintain the health and well-being of our community. Taking steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection is a shared responsibility, and we hope everyone will be guided by the principles outlined in our Commitment to Caring for Our Community. As always, we encourage students, faculty, and staff to stay informed by visiting our COVID-19 Community Guide and reviewing our Fall 2021 Health and Safety FAQ.
Vaccination Requirement
The New School requires all students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated prior to the start of the fall semester, with the exception of those who receive approved medical or religious exemptions. We consider a high rate of vaccination by the first day of classes vital to resuming the in-person activities that we missed so much last year.
If you have not already been vaccinated and uploaded proof or submitted a request for exemption, it’s not too late. There is still time to take action to ensure you are ready for the start of the semester. Students living in countries without access to vaccines should follow the instructions on the Travel Guidance page.
COVID-19 Vaccine Record Upload Instructions
Step 1: Visit shsportal.newschool.edu and log in with your NetID and password. This is the same login information you use to log in to MyNewSchool and your New School email account.
Step 2: Enter your date of birth to confirm your identity and then click the red button that says “Proceed.”
Step 3: Next, click the red button that says “Enter My COVID-19 Vaccine Information.” If you don’t see this button, click the three horizontal lines in the upper left corner of your screen to open the sidebar and then click “Medical Clearances.”
Step 4: When the window opens, click the green upload button to add a photo of your vaccination record. Please note: Only .png, .jpg, .gif, or .pdf files will be accepted and the vaccine record must be in English. If your vaccine record is in another language, please upload an English translation. Please upload all vaccine documents (all pages, front and back of cards etc., multiple files can be uploaded).
Step 5: A preview of the image or file you selected will pop up. Make sure the photo or document is clear and click “Looks Good.”
Step 6: Next, type in the date(s) on which you received your vaccine(s) and choose the vaccine type from the drop down menu.
Step 7: Then, click the “Done” button in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Only vaccines authorized by the U.S. FDA or World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use will be accepted. If you received a vaccine that is not listed in the drop down menu, faculty and staff should contact benefitshelp@newschool.edu for assistance and next steps. Students can email shs@newschool.edu for more information.
You will not receive a confirmation email when your record is submitted or approved. To ensure your submission has been received, click the “Medical Clearances” link on the left side of the portal screen (or within the menu if using a mobile device). If you successfully uploaded your record, this page will say “Awaiting Review.” Once your submission is reviewed and approved, the status will change to “Compliant.” You can log in to the portal at any time to check the status of your submission.
Religious and Medical Exemption Form Instructions
Step 1: Log in to shsportal.newschool.edu with your NetID and password. This is the same login information you use to log in to MyNewSchool and your New School email account.
Step 2: Enter your date of birth to confirm your identity and then click the red button that says “Proceed.”
Step 3: Click the three horizontal lines in the upper left corner of your screen. Then, click the “Downloadable Forms” link in the sidebar.
- Download and print the forms you need.
- Read through the forms carefully and complete the forms fully.
- Upload the fully completed forms. Incomplete forms cannot be reviewed or approved.
Faculty and staff can email questions to benefitshelp@newschool.edu. Students can contact shs@newschool.edu for more information.
Testing Requirement
The university requires extensive testing of everyone on campus—vaccinated or not, regardless of how often they will be on campus—during the early weeks of the semester, and of unvaccinated individuals throughout the semester.
- All members of the university community—regardless of their vaccination status—are required to take a PCR COVID-19 test and provide a negative test result within 7 days prior to arriving on campus for the first time, including move-in to the residence halls.
- After entry testing, vaccinated individuals are required to test every other week and provide a negative test result to maintain access to university buildings.
- Community members who will be on campus regularly must provide a negative test result no later than every 14 days.
- Community members who will be on campus periodically must provide a negative test result within 14 days before their next visit.
- Unvaccinated individuals, including those who are not yet fully vaccinated or exempt from the vaccination requirement, will be required to test twice a week and provide a negative test result to maintain access to university buildings.
- Community members who will be on campus regularly must provide a negative test result no later than every 4 days.
- Community members who will be on campus periodically must provide a negative test result within 4 days before their next visit.
- The testing requirement for unvaccinated individuals will be in place throughout the fall semester.
We’ve created an easy-to-use calculator to help community members stay on track with our testing protocol. You can check your testing schedule here.
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use the free binx self-collection nasal swab test kits available on campus.
The university will also accept recent tests from other providers for those community members who are unable to pick up a test kit on campus. Community members who complete a test off campus must submit their results through the SHS Portal. Information about no-cost New York City testing sites is available here.
Binx Test Kit Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Binx self-collection nasal swab test kits are available for pick-up and drop-off at the following staffed locations on campus. If you plan to use the free binx test kits, tests must be returned to one of the campus drop boxes during scheduled hours; drop-offs are not permitted on Saturday and Sunday.
- University Center, Event Cafe (Lower Level), 63 Fifth Avenue
- 2 West 13th Street
- 55 West 13th Street
Hours of Operation (except on university holidays):
- University Center: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-9:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m.
- 2 West 13th Street: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; 1:00-4:00 p.m.
- 55 West 13th Street: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m; 1:00-4:00 p.m.
The deadline to drop off completed kits is 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, at any university drop box.
Mask Requirement
As we begin the semester, everyone is required to wear a mask in campus buildings regardless of vaccination status. This requirement applies to all academic, administrative, and residential spaces including classrooms, studios and other workspaces, conference rooms, and common areas such as hallways, lobbies, elevators, lounges, and other shared spaces. Students will not be required to wear a mask in dorm rooms and suites, however unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear a mask in these spaces when others are present.
New School ID Cards
Proof of vaccination or exemption status and testing results will be linked to your New School ID card and allow you access to campus facilities. If you do not yet have a New School ID card, please email Campus Card Services at newcard@newschool.edu. New students who have submitted their photo will receive their card during Orientation or move-in.
Our Safe Return to Campus
The start of the fall semester is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see everyone. We are grateful to the dozens of staff members who have been working tirelessly to help ensure our campus is a safe and welcoming place to teach, learn, create, and work. We thank everyone in advance for their patience, understanding, and commitment to caring for each other and look forward to a successful start to the school year.