Your Checklist for Returning to In-Person Instruction on February 7
We hope the semester is off to a good start and you are excited to resume in-person instruction on Monday, February 7. We look forward to seeing everyone on campus.
Our health and safety protocols will help us keep our community safe and continue to expand the activities that bring us together:
- Near fully vaccinated and boosted community;
- The university’s comprehensive testing program;
- Universal indoor masking with high quality and well-fitting masks (e.g., KN95, KF94, two masks: one surgical mask/one cloth mask on top);
- High levels of ventilation and filtration; and,
- Our commitment to caring for our community.
Have Questions?
As we resume in-person classes, we know you will have questions and there may be red campus access badges despite your best efforts. Student ambassadors will be in the lobbies across campus to answer questions, help community members address access issues, and welcome you back.
What’s Next?
We are committed to safely expanding access to campus and adjusting policies (e.g., required testing, guest access) based on the most up-to-date data and guidance. In the next few weeks, we’ll share an update on how our community is doing and encourage you to visit our COVID-19 Community Guide for the most current information about our campus.
Your Checklist for Returning to In-Person Learning on February 7
| Vaccination and Booster Requirement | All community members must be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster when eligible, and must upload their documentation to the Student Health Services (SHS) portal. If you have not uploaded your vaccinations to the SHS Portal, you will not be able to enter an academic building. Those not yet eligible or who were unable to access a booster in their home country must receive a booster within 14 days of becoming eligible or gaining access. |
| Entry Test | Community members must get a PCR test within seven days before your first time on campus. For example, if your first time on campus will be Monday, February 7 for the resumption of in-person learning, please test no later than Thursday, February 3 to ensure your result is processed in time. |
| Ongoing Testing | After you arrive on campus, testing requirements for academic building access continue from the fall semester. -Vaccinated: No later than every 14 days. -Unvaccinated with approved medical or religious exemption: No later than every 4 days. |
| Test Access | PCR tests are required for building access due to their lab-verified accuracy. Rapid antigen tests are not acceptable for building access. We strongly recommend using on-campus binx tests which are accessible in multiple locations, quick to take and drop off, and are processed with timely results tied directly to the SHS Portal with no need to upload. Outside PCR tests are accepted. When uploading the result to the SHS Portal, the test date and result must be added and the full name, date of test collection, type of test performed, and result must be clearly visible in the report. |
| Check Your Campus Status in Advance | Be sure to check your campus access status on the SHS Portal before coming to campus to make sure you have a green badge, meaning your vaccination and testing requirements are up to date. |
| Reporting Positive Tests from Break | If you tested positive (on a PCR or rapid antigen test) at any point during break, please upload it to the SHS Portal as soon as possible. Any community member who has tested positive for COVID-19 is exempt from taking PCR tests (including their entry test) for 90 days after their positive test date. You also will not need to test or quarantine if you are exposed to COVID-19 during that time. |
| Isolation and Quarantine Updates | Our isolation and quarantine policies are updated based on the most recent CDC and NY State Department of Health guidance. Isolation (regardless of vaccination status) -Positive test (with or without symptoms): Isolate for 5 days; rapid test on day 5. -Symptomatic or a positive rapid test after 5 days: Continue isolation for a total of 10 days. Quarantine (you’re a close contact of a positive case) -Vaccinated and boosted (when eligible) and asymptomatic: No quarantine; monitor symptoms. -Vaccinated but not boosted (when eligible) and unvaccinated: Quarantine for 5 days; PCR or rapid test on day 5. |
| Questions? | Students should email: shs@newschool.edu. Faculty and staff should email: BenefitsHelp@newschool.edu. Visit our COVID-19 Community Guide for the most up to date information about our campus. |