Testing

The 2022-2023 academic year will include a brief entry period of required COVID-19 PCR testing at the start of each term and after long breaks. 

The fall 2022 entry period begins Monday, August 15, 2022 and will last for approximately five weeks (tentatively ending Sunday, September 18, 2022). During this period, community members must take a COVID-19 PCR test within 4 days before coming to campus for the first time and submit it to the SHS Portal. The university will continue to provide free PCR tests to all active students, faculty, and staff. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted for required testing.

After arriving on campus, students, faculty, and staff are required to test as follows:

• Weekly during the five-week entry period, if you will be on campus:
  • Monday 8/15 - Sunday 8/21
  • Monday 8/22 - Sunday 8/28
  • Monday 8/29 - Sunday 9/4
  • Tuesday 9/6 - Friday 9/16
    [Note: This is a 2 week period after Labor Day]

The university will also have a brief entry period after the Thanksgiving break. We will follow up in early November with details, including required testing and updates to mask policies at that time.

Testing Schedule for Vaccinated and Boosted Individuals 

Community members who are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster when eligible, will no longer be required to regularly test for access to academic buildings except during mandatory entry testing periods.

• We strongly encourage everyone to test monthly, especially before or after travel, if you are in crowded areas or participate in large group activities, or if you are symptomatic. 
  
• On-campus binx test kits remain free and accessible to all community members.

Community members who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days are exempt from testing for 90 days after their initial positive test, however they must upload their positive test result to the portal. 

Please note: The student health insurance plan does not provide coverage for surveillance COVID-19 tests needed for school or work clearance. Students should use the free binx tests available on campus for their regular testing. If you need to use an outside provider, you must find a location that provides free COVID-19 PCR tests, such as NYC Health and Hospitals and LabQ. Rapid Antigen and Serum Antibody tests are not accepted.

Testing Schedule for Individuals with Approved Exemptions 

Some community members will continue to be required to test to maintain building access, based on their vaccination status:

• Individuals with approved exemptions will need to test no later than every 4 days.

On-campus binx test kits remain free and accessible to all community members.  

Community members who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days are exempt from testing for 90 days after their initial positive test, however they must upload their positive test result to the portal.

Please note: The student health insurance plan does not provide coverage for surveillance COVID-19 tests needed for school or work clearance. Students should use the free binx tests available on campus for their regular testing. If you need to use an outside provider, you must find a location that provides free COVID-19 PCR tests, such as NYC Health and Hospitals and LabQ. Rapid Antigen and Serum Antibody tests are not accepted.

On-Campus Testing with Binx Test Kits

Students, faculty, and staff who are on campus regularly are expected to use the free binx self-collection nasal swab test kits available in multiple campus locations.  

• When using a binx test, community members should not upload their results; they are automatically sent to the university. 

• PCR tests taken at off-campus testing sites will be accepted in limited circumstances.

Read the binx testing FAQ and view these infographics about how to activate your test kit and use the nasal swab.

Community members who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days are exempt from testing for 90 days after their initial positive test, however they must upload their positive test result to the portal. 

Please note: The student health insurance plan does not provide coverage for surveillance COVID-19 tests needed for school or work clearance. Students should use the free binx tests available on campus for their regular testing. If you need to use an outside provider, you must find a location that provides free COVID-19 PCR tests, such as NYC Health and Hospitals and LabQ. Rapid Antigen and Serum Antibody tests are not accepted.

Beginning February 28, 2022, all travel restrictions are relaxed, with the exception of travel to high risk areas labeled Level 4 by the CDC, which require pre-approval. Please visit the Travel Guidance page for more information. 

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 staffed locations on campus. University community members may complete the nasal swab in any clean, private space. Designated private spaces around campus will be available for community members. You may also use your private office or room. 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 2-3 days. Positive test results will be communicated to students by Student Health Services within the same timeframe. Faculty and staff who receive a positive test result will be notified by binx.

Binx Test Kit Pick-up and Drop-off

• 55 West 13th Street, Lobby

Hours of Operation (except on university holidays):

• Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
• Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Sunday closed

Test kits must be dropped off at a campus drop box on the same day you complete your nasal swab. Test kits are shipped to the lab Monday-Friday at 4:00 p.m. Kits dropped off after 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, will be in the following day's shipment to the lab. The deadline to drop off a test kit on Friday is 4:00 p.m.

Mannes Prep families can complete binx nasal swab test at 55 West 13th Street on Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Test kits must be dropped off on the same day the nasal swab collection is completed.

Watch this video to learn more about picking up and dropping off a binx test kit.

The university will also accept tests from other providers for those community members who are unable to pick up a test kit on campus. Community members who complete a test off campus must submit their results through the SHS Portal.

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.

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.