Health and Safety

Ventilation and Air Quality

The filtration for all HVAC units has been increased to the highest level MERV rating, based on system design specifications.

Enhanced Cleaning Protocols

Physical distancing means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household. All students and members of our community are required to practice physical distancing on campus, which is defined as maintaining a distance of at least six (6) feet (about two arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.  

All campus spaces and residence halls have been reconfigured to comply with the COVID-19 Higher Education Guidelines from New York State. Guidance for reduced capacity in classrooms, studios, performance spaces, labs, offices, residence halls, and common spaces, including dining facilities, libraries, lounges, auditoriums, and gyms (when those gathering places are permitted by the state to open) will be posted in buildings.

In accordance with the COVID-19 Higher Education Guidelines from New York State, face coverings must be worn at all times when on campus. This includes all buildings, residence halls, classrooms, making centers, studios, computer labs, and all other campus spaces.

Face coverings must cover both the mouth and nose and must be constructed of three-ply material. 

The following are not acceptable face coverings:

Well-fitting surgical masks and three-ply cloth masks are most effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19.

When on campus, students must wear their masks at all times, unless eating or drinking at a reserved space in the cafeteria. Students who live in on-campus housing may remove their masks when in the presence of suitemates in their housing units, but masks must be worn in common areas at all times. 

Regular hand washing and sanitizer use is encouraged. Additional hand-sanitizing stations have been added at building entrances and other central locations throughout campus, including every building lobby and elevator lobbies on all floors, as well as in offices, classrooms, research and making facilities, and computer labs.

Frequent hand washing is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Members of the university community are expected to practice frequent handwashing to help keep themselves and the community safe. When soap and water is not readily available, hand sanitizer with a minimum concentration of 60% alcohol is an acceptable alternative. During the pandemic, it is especially important to wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds after one has been in public places and had contact with surfaces (door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts, or electronic cashier registers/screens, etc.) likely to be touched frequently by others. Washing is essential before touching the eyes, nose or mouth, where germs enter the body.

Barriers or clear sneeze guards are installed in areas where social distancing is not feasible and at service desks (security desks, equipment centers, computer labs, etc.) where employees are at higher risk due to interactions with many people.

At this time, our status and Spring 2021 Return to Campus Plan have not changed. These protocols include ongoing testing for all individuals working on campus. Please refer to the Faculty/Staff COVID FAQ for additional guidelines and protocols for employees.

Employees who are working on campus and who plan to travel outside of New York must pay extra close attention to the New York State requirements for testing or quarantining upon return; they must also ensure such safety requirements do not impede their ability to return to work.

Students who have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 as defined by the CDC and DOH guidelines are required to quarantine for 14 days beginning with their last contact with the infected individual. If you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, contact Student Health Services right away for further instructions.

Students who are required to quarantine due to travel must follow the instructions listed in New York State Governor Cuomo’s COVID-19 Travel Advisory and review the Travel Guidance section of this guide. 

On-Campus Students

All students living on campus who receive a positive COVID-19 test result are required to isolate. Students will be provided isolation instructions by Residence Hall Staff and/or Student Health Services. Students may be required to isolate in their rooms, or they may be required to isolate in rooms that have been designated for isolation purposes. In all instances, Housing Staff and Student Health Services will provide student support and ensure that students are able to obtain food and medications as needed. A provider from Student Health Services will meet with students via telehealth throughout their isolation period. Once students have received written clearance from Student Health Services, they must submit it to housing staff and for campus reservations as needed. 

During isolation, students may attend classes remotely if physically able. If not, it is strongly advised that students work with Student Support and Advocacy to assist with their academic needs while they recover. Students with prolonged illness related to COVID infection are encouraged to contact Student Disability Services regarding academic accommodations. 

In most instances, students will be required to isolate for 10 days, and must experience resolution of symptoms and be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications in order to receive clearance to end their isolation period. Students should not repeat their COVID-19 tests following their isolation period.

Off-Campus Students

All students living off campus who receive a positive COVID-19 test result are required to isolate. Students will be provided isolation instructions by Student Health Services. Students will be required to isolate in their living spaces. Student Health Services and Student Support and Advocacy will provide students with medical care and support. A provider from Student Health Services will meet with students via telehealth throughout the isolation period. Students must have a final telehealth visit with a Student Health Services provider in order to be cleared at the end of their isolation period. Students who have been cleared will receive documentation by email from Student Health Services. The note should be submitted for campus reservations and to others as needed.

During isolation, students may attend classes remotely if physically able. If not, it is strongly advised that students work with Student Disability Services to secure academic accommodations while they recover.

In most instances, students will be required to isolate for 10 days and must experience resolution of symptoms and be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications in order to receive clearance to end their isolation period. Students should not repeat their COVID-19 tests following their isolation period.

The university complies with guidance from New York City on how employers can support the official contact tracing unit, Test & Trace Corps.

In the event a student receives a positive COVID-19 test, Student Health Services will investigate and determine whether other students, faculty, or staff may have had contact with the positive student in a manner that places them at increased risk. All contract tracing is performed in collaboration with the New York City Department of Health (DOH) Contact Tracing Corps. During contact tracing efforts, Student Health Services and the DOH will protect the privacy and confidentiality of the COVID-19 positive student. In addition, the DOH may conduct independent contact tracing. All students are required to cooperate with the contact tracing efforts of Student Health Services and the DOH. Those who do not cooperate with contact tracing efforts will be subject to disciplinary action.