COVID-19 Community Guide

The health and wellbeing of our community and the neighbors with whom we interact are our top priority. This website serves as the central information hub to keep all members of our community informed of updates, policies, and protocols on the evolving circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following protocols will be in effect for the Spring semester:

• Everyone is strongly encouraged to take a PCR COVID test within 48 hours after arrival on campus. Testing is not required for building access for those in compliance with the university's vaccination policy. Free PCR tests continue to be available on campus at Arnhold Hall, located at 55 W. 13th Street.
• Individuals with approved vaccination exemptions are no longer required to test for building access.
• Masks are strongly recommended in indoor public settings on campus, particularly in classrooms. Masks are always required in Student Health Services, Student Disability Services, COVID testing sites, and when directed by a medical professional.
• All guests and visitors must be vaccinated and boosted or have a recent negative test to enter campus buildings. More information can be found here.

We encourage community members to test if they are symptomatic, before and after travel, or engaging in any higher risk activities. Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms, including from respiratory illnesses like COVID, flu, or colds.

Visit our data dashboard for updates about the vaccination, testing, and positivity rates on our campus.

Guiding Principles

Our plan for a healthy and safe on-campus experience is guided by three core principles:

• Protecting the health and safety of the entire New School community — students, faculty, and staff — and the neighbors with whom we interact.
• Maintaining the highest-quality teaching, learning, research, and cultural expression in every college, department, and specialty.
• Ensuring equitable access to classes and other learning activities for all students.

Our Shared Responsibility 

Taking steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection is a shared responsibility and every member of our community must do their part to help keep each other safe. It is our goal to address non-compliance without escalation. Repeated or egregious disregard for university policies and procedures will be escalated to Human Resources for employees or the Office of Student Conduct for students. 

Departmental COVID-19 Coordinators

Faculty and staff can reach out to the following COVID Coordination Group members with questions about our spring 2022 health and safety protocols:

• Academic Affairs (including individual colleges): [email protected]
• Business & Operations (including Finance, Facilities, and IT): Thomas Whalen, [email protected] 
• Enrollment Management and Strategic Partnerships: Craig Tiede, [email protected]
• Human Resources, General Counsel, and Development & Alumni Engagement: Andrea Yenco Cabatotan, [email protected]
• Marketing & Communications, Continuing and Professional Education: Amy Malsin, [email protected]
• Student Success: Robert Mack, [email protected]
  

Future Updates

This site will be updated on a regular basis. The university will continue to monitor the trajectory of the pandemic, especially virus prevalence in New York City. In addition, the message feed on this page features community announcements from the president and/or provost of The New School.