Spring 2022 Campus Health and Safety Protocols
A message from Dr. Renée T. 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:
As we near completion of the semester, we can mark several major milestones: students returned to campus for the first time in 18 months; faculty resumed in-person teaching; and we have had extremely low transmission of COVID-19 on our campus. Our high vaccination rate provides our community with needed protection. All of this was made possible by your hard work.
Almost two years into the pandemic, we know much more and yet we need to be prepared to adapt to an ever-evolving situation. We will continue making our decisions based on science, ready to change course when the evidence indicates we should. These learnings will guide us in the weeks and months ahead.
We know that some of our peer institutions are shifting their end of the semester plans in response to the Omicron variant. Student Health Services, Human Resources, and the Campus Operations Group track our community’s data daily and are in close communication with public health advisors and with colleagues at other institutions. With our comprehensive safety protocols in place, including masking and frequent required testing, the university will remain open through December 23. As always, we will continue to respond flexibly and make decisions that prioritize the health and safety of our community.
Our goal for the spring 2022 semester is to use what we have learned to ensure we can increase the scope and number of activities that matter to all of us. With that goal in mind, by mid-February after an initial entry period, we will evaluate and adjust our policies to meet the needs of the community and safely expand access to campus.
Highlights
- The university is open through December 23 as planned.
- Get a COVID-19 booster when eligible and we strongly suggest you get a flu shot.
- Booster mobile clinic will be outside the UC Monday, December 20 – Tuesday, December 21. No appointment necessary.
- Upload your updated vaccine card to the SHS portal.
- Testing requirements remain in effect through at least February 15.
- Binx tests will be available through Wednesday, December 22 and beginning again Monday, January 3.
- Outside PCR tests are still accepted.
- Everyone coming to campus after January 10 has to take a PCR test within a week before your first time back.
- We will announce any adjustments to our policies by February 15.
Please scroll down to read more about:
- Vaccinations and Boosters
- Entry Testing for Spring 2022
- Spring 2022 Plans
- Staying Safe over Winter Break
Vaccination and Boosters
- Everyone is expected to get a COVID-19 booster prior to the start of the spring semester or as soon as you are eligible. We will provide more information soon.
- We know that boosters provide essential protection that will help keep you, your family, and our university community safe, particularly with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
- They are available at no cost, and you can schedule an appointment at a local pharmacy, by visiting vaccinefinder.nyc.gov, or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
- Booster shots will be available on Monday, December 20 and Tuesday, December 21 outside the UC on East 13th Street.
- Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson doses will be available to everyone.
- No appointments are necessary.
- Bring your ID and vaccine card, if possible, though they are not required.
- Get a flu shot. If you haven’t gotten yours already, do so now.
- Flu is circulating widely, especially on college campuses, with some symptoms similar to COVID-19.
- To find a vaccination site near campus or your home, search for locations via the following sites: NYC Vaccine Finder, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens.
- Upload your proof of vaccination and booster dose.
- Everyone is required to upload their proof of vaccination, with the addition of the booster dose, to the SHS Portal, even if you are not teaching or working on campus.
- All employees are eligible for one-day COVID vaccination leave. If you have any questions, please contact Benefits Help.
Entry Testing Requirement for Spring 2022
- All students, faculty, and staff must complete a COVID-19 PCR test and receive a negative result within seven days prior to accessing campus for the first time after January 10.
- For example, those arriving for the start of the semester on January 24 must test between January 16 – January 23.
- This applies to all students, faculty, and staff regardless of when they previously tested or when they were last on campus.
- The regular testing cadence and building access requirements are in effect through Winter Break and the Winter Term. Those on campus during this time will need to maintain their current testing schedule.
- Once community members have completed their entry tests, the university’s testing policy will remain:
- Vaccinated individuals must test no later than every 14 days.
- Partially or unvaccinated individuals must test no later than every four days, and quarantine off campus for 7 days before accessing campus spaces if you travel outside of New York State.
- Check your building access status at shsportal.newschool.edu.
- Binx test kits are available on campus:
- Monday-Friday through Wednesday, December 22, 2021. All locations will close December 22 at 4:00pm.
- Pick-up and drop-off will resume on Monday, January 3, 2022 atall campus locations.
- To help ensure test kits are available for every member of our community, please use a kit you already have and return unused kits to any campus location before leaving campus.
- The university accepts PCR tests from other providers for those community members who are unable to pick up a test kit on campus. Information about no-cost NYC testing sites is available here.
Spring 2022 Plans
- The university will continue to prioritize campus spaces for safe in-person teaching and learning, and our current policies for testing and masking will remain in effect through at least mid-February. We will share an update about our health and safety protocols by February 15.
- We intend to safely expand access to pedagogical activities, including performances, prospective student visits, and events. Anticipated adjustments to health and safety protocols include:
- Reducing required testing for vaccinated individuals
- Expanding campus access for vaccinated guests, visitors, and audiences
- Requiring re-entry testing after Spring Break
- Guidance to help faculty prepare for spring in-person teaching and supporting absent students will be shared next week.
Staying Safe Over Winter Break
- We encourage everyone to practice healthy behaviors that protect you and those around you and recommend testing prior to leaving campus. This is especially important before gathering with family members who may be at high risk or not yet vaccinated.
- If you are unvaccinated, follow CDC guidelines for travel and quarantining.
- Pay close attention to any changes to travel procedures, either domestic or international, that may impact your arrival back on campus.
Thank you for your diligence and care in following the health and safety protocols that have kept our families safe and allowed us to be together on campus. We wish everyone a happy and healthy Winter Break.