Screening and Testing

At the start of fall 2021, all members of the university community--regardless of their vaccination status--are required to take a PCR COVID-19 test and provide a negative test result within 7 days prior to accessing campus for the first time, including move-in to the residence halls. 

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use the free binx self-collection nasal swab test kits available on campus. Students under 18 must have a parent or guardian complete and sign this consent form and return it to newschoolconsents@mybinxhealth.com in order to participate in the binx testing program.

Students, faculty, and staff will be permitted to visit campus after receiving a negative PCR COVID-19 test result and submitting their results to the university. More information about how to submit test results will be available soon. Any community member who receives a positive test result should stay home and seek guidance from a medical provider. Students can schedule a telehealth appointment at shsportal.newschool.edu. Faculty and staff should alert their supervisor and email benefitshelp@newschool.edu. 

Community members who do not complete a PCR COVID-19 test within seven (7) days prior to their desired move-in date, first in-person class, or first day of work will be unable to enter campus buildings until they obtain an updated COVID-19 test.

In addition, all individuals permitted to be on campus--regardless of their vaccination status--are required to wear a mask inside campus buildings (except in your dorm room or residence hall suite). Those who do not follow the screening and safety protocols will not be allowed on campus.

After entry testing, vaccinated individuals are required to test every other week and provide a negative test result within 14 days prior to accessing campus.

Unvaccinated individuals, including those who are not yet fully vaccinated or exempt from the vaccination requirement, will be required to test twice a week and provide a negative test result within 4 days prior to accessing campus. The testing requirement for unvaccinated individuals will be in place throughout the fall semester.

There are a variety of COVID-19 tests on the market. The New School will only accept PCR Nasal or Saliva Swab tests and will not accept Serum Antibody tests or Rapid Antigen tests. Individuals who submit documentation of a COVID-19 test that is deemed unacceptable will be required to repeat their test.

The university offers binx self-collection nasal swab test kits for pick-up at the University Center. University community members must complete the nasal swab at home or in their residence hall suite and return them to the on-campus drop boxes for shipment to the lab. Tests can be picked up and dropped off during the times listed below. However, you must activate your test and complete your nasal swab on the same day that you plan to return the test kit or it will be rejected by the lab. 

Individuals who receive a negative test result will hear directly from binx within approximately three (3) days. Positive test results will be communicated to students by Student Health Services within the same timeframe.

Test Kit Pick-up and Drop-off

University Center, Lower Level, 63 Fifth Avenue

Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m. (except on university holidays)

The university will also accept tests from other providers for those community members who are unable to pick up a test kit on campus. Instructions for how to submit test results will be provided soon.

Those who use a binx self-collection nasal swab test kit do not need to submit their results, but must follow the instructions in the binx testing FAQ to activate their test kit.

Daily symptom screening is no longer required for community members starting in fall 2021.

The Daily Symptom Screening Questionnaire must be completed ONLY by students and employees accessing campus during the summer, through August 14. See the sections below on summer 2021 Guidelines. 

In the event of an outbreak or cluster of cases identified on campus, university community members may be required to obtain additional PCR COVID-19 testing. In that scenario, affected members of the university community will receive detailed testing instructions.

Students who are fully vaccinated are not required to participate in regular COVID-19 testing during the summer 2021 semester, but must take the following steps in order to access campus for the first time this summer and become exempt from regular testing.

1. Complete a PCR COVID-19 test within 7 days prior to their first visit to campus. Students are strongly encouraged to use the free binx self-collection nasal swab test kits available on campus. Those who complete their entry test with an outside provider must submit their results.

2. Submit their COVID-19 vaccine record to shs@newschool.edu.

3. Receive written clearance from Student Health Services to stop regular testing.

4. Complete the Daily Symptom Screening Questionnaire each day you’ll be on campus

You are fully vaccinated if it has been 14 days since:

• your second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series (e.g. Pfizer, Moderna) or; 

• you received a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g. Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen) or; 

• completing a one- or two-dose WHO-authorized COVID-19 vaccine. 

Unvaccinated students are still required to complete binx self-collection nasal swab test kits (every 7 days for residential students and every 14 days for off-campus students) and complete the daily symptom screening questionnaire in order to continue visiting campus. Unvaccinated recent alumni must complete PCR COVID-19 testing every 14 days and submit their results. We strongly encourage unvaccinated students and recent alumni to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Visit the Vaccine Information page to learn more about how to get vaccinated in New York.

Intermittent Campus Access

Students and recent alumni who plan to visit campus intermittently (less than once a week) must take a PCR COVID-19 test seven (7) days prior to each desired campus space reservation date or in-person class. If you are only coming to campus to pick up or drop off equipment or library books, you are not required to obtain a COVID-19 test for that purpose but will be required to complete the Daily Symptom Screening Questionnaire on the day you pick up or return items.

Test Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

University Center, New Store, 63 Fifth Avenue

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m. (except on university holidays)

Loeb Hall Mailroom, 135 East 12th Street

Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (except on university holidays)

Exceptions 

All students must use the free binx self-collection nasal swab test kit for their testing needs except in the following instances: testing before your first visit to campus or pre-approved exceptions for other PCR tests.

Students who are tested by an outside provider in these instances must submit their results. Those who use a binx self-collection nasal swab test kit do not need to submit their results, but must follow the instructions in the Testing FAQ to activate their test kit.