Student Vaccination Requirement for Fall 2021
A message from Stephanie Browner, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Tokumbo Shobowale, Executive Vice President for Business and Operations
Dear Members of The New School Community,
We are excited at the prospect of being together again on campus this fall. With the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. and continued safety measures like wearing a mask, social distancing, and enhanced ventilation and cleaning, we are optimistic that we will soon return to the robust campus life that is so important to us all.
Our first priority will continue to be the health and safety of our community. To that end, we will require all new and returning New School students (with the exception of those who receive approved medical or religious exemptions) to be fully vaccinated and to submit an electronic copy of their COVID-19 vaccination documentation before they arrive on our New York City campus for the fall 2021 semester.
This policy will cover all undergraduate and graduate students in all programs, who intend to be on our campus for any period of time starting with the fall 2021 semester. More information about this process will be provided soon. We recognize that some students, including our international students, may be unable to access a vaccine before arriving on campus, and we will work closely with those individuals to facilitate vaccination in the U.S. as soon as possible. Further details, including information for international students or others who cannot access a vaccine, are included in this FAQ.
Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated before returning to campus, and we expect that a large majority will do so. To ensure that everyone can receive their vaccinations without having to use accrued leave, the university is providing one full day of paid COVID vaccination leave. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact the Benefits Office at benefitshelp@newschool.edu.
We must remain vigilant amidst the continuously evolving environment of the pandemic and the realities of our mostly vertical, urban campus. The university will continue to promote proven guidelines from public health agencies for reducing the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a mask, social distancing and de-densification, regular testing, enhanced ventilation and cleaning, controlled facilities access, and restrictions on visitors and events, as outlined in our COVID-19 Community Guide. We will keep you informed as our planning work progresses.
Thank you for your ongoing efforts to keep our community safe. This is an important step forward, and we look forward to seeing you this fall.