Screening and Testing

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

For student convenience, beginning with the spring 2021 semester, the university will provide binx self-collection nasal swab test kits for pick-up at designated locations on campus. Students 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. Students 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.

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)

Students who are temporarily living in Stuyvesant Park Hall will receive a test kit at their suite door during their quarantine period.

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.

Students living in on-campus housing are required to participate in two-phase entry COVID-19 testing and then take a binx self-collection nasal swab test every seven days during the semester.

Phase One Entry COVID-19 Testing
Students must take a PCR COVID-19 test seven days prior to their move-in date. Those who complete their first test with an outside provider must submit their results. Students who pick up a binx self-collection nasal swab test kit from campus do not need to submit their results, but must follow the instructions in the Testing FAQ to activate and complete their test kit.

Students will receive clearance to move in from Student Health Services upon review of negative test results, within three business days of submission.

Phase Two Follow-up COVID-19 Testing
Students who have moved into a residence hall must complete a binx self-collection nasal swab test no later than seven days after their move-in date. Test kits are available in the University Center and Loeb Hall. Students must remain in quarantine in their suite until they receive written clearance from SHS or Housing. Those who receive a negative test result will hear directly from binx within approximately three days. Positive test results will be communicated to students by Student Health Services within the same timeframe.

Ongoing Testing
Students living in on-campus housing will be required to complete a binx self-collection nasal swab test every seven days during the semester. The university is providing free binx self-collection nasal swab test kits available in the University Center and Loeb Hall. Failure to cooperate may result in removal from campus housing.

Daily Symptom Screening
Residential students are also required to complete the Daily Symptom Screening Questionnaire every day. Visit the MHealth website and click on “EMPLOYEE SCREENING” to set up an account. Save your newly created login information, which is necessary each time the tool is used.

To gain clearance to enter academic buildings for the first time each semester, students must complete a PCR COVID-19 test within seven days prior to their desired campus space reservation date or in-person class. We encourage all students to use the free binx self-collection nasal swab test kits if they are in the vicinity of The New School campus. For those who do not live near campus, check your state or country’s government website for information about free testing options near you.

Students who complete their first test with an outside provider must submit their results. Once you submit your results, you will receive written clearance from Student Health Services within three business days that you are approved to reserve campus spaces. 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 and complete their test kit. If you receive a negative test result, you will receive an email notification from binx within 72 hours and can make a campus space reservation. If you receive a positive test result, Student Health Services will contact you with further instructions.

If you do not complete your test within seven (7) days prior to your desired reservation date or first in-person class, you will be unable to make a reservation or attend in-person class until you obtain an updated COVID-19 test and receive negative test results.

Ongoing Campus Access
For ongoing access to campus, students will be required to complete a binx self-collection nasal swab test kit every 14 days. Test kits are available for pick-up in the University Center and Loeb Hall. Failure to cooperate may result in loss of access to campus facilities.

Intermittent Campus Access
Students 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.

Health and government officials continue to strongly urge people to avoid non-essential travel, but if travel cannot be avoided, please review the Spring Break Travel Guide for information about the university's testing and quarantine requirements for returning to campus after travel.

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.

As part of a layered approach to keeping our campus safe, the university will be conducting “re-entry,” and “random” diagnostic testing to mitigate the risk to the campus community.  

Re-entry Testing
Faculty teaching in-person or hybrid classes or staff who will be on campus regularly—one day a week or more—are required to complete a COVID-19 PCR test within 7 days of their in-person class session or activities, regardless of vaccination status. Faculty and staff may use Mount Sinai, one of the university’s health partners, for testing throughout the semester. If you get tested through another provider, you must submit results to benefitshelp@newschool.edu. 

Additional testing sites can be found via the following State websites:

• New York State: Information on Novel Coronavirus
• New Jersey: COVID-19 Information Hub

• Connecticut: Connecticut COVID-19 Response

Those who plan to be on campus intermittently—less than one full day a week—do not need to be tested and only need to complete the daily symptom screening process outlined below.  

Daily Screening Requirements
Faculty and staff may continue to access campus while waiting for their test results so long as they have completed and "passed" the university’s Daily Symptom Screening Questionnaire, have received a “pass” for the day, and follow all safety protocols (ex. PPE, social distancing, etc.). Please visit the Faculty/Staff COVID FAQ for more information.

Random Testing
Those who plan to be on campus one or more times per week for the duration of the semester will be tested throughout the semester based on the first letter of their last name. The schedule and instructions will be communicated by Human Resources. Random testing will take place in February, March and April. You may use a location of your choice, including Mount Sinai, and the test must be a PCR. 

Faculty and staff 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.

In the event of an outbreak or cluster of cases identified on campus, students may be required to obtain additional PCR COVID-19 testing. Students are expected to cooperate with all requests for additional testing. In that scenario, students will receive detailed testing instructions.

We encourage all students to use the free binx self-collection nasal swab test kits if they are in the vicinity of The New School campus. For those who do not live near campus, check your state or country’s government website for information about free testing options near you. Students who complete their first test with an outside provider 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.

Testing is an effective way to help keep students and their community safe. Students can take this step on their own or they can schedule a telehealth appointment with Student Health Services at shsportal.newschool.edu to discuss a voluntary individualized testing plan.