Testing

Beginning on August 16, 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. 

Binx Entry Testing

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use the free binx self-collection nasal swab test kits available on campus. Test kits for entry testing are available for pick-up and drop-off at 2 West 13th Street and 55 West 13th Street. Upon arrival, please inform the security guard on duty that you're there to pick up or drop off a test kit. Those who use the binx test kits do not need to upload their results; they will be sent to the university automatically. 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.

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

Please Note: Binx self-collection nasal swab test kits may be used by Mannes Prep students age 5 and older.

Off-Campus Entry Testing

Community members who complete their entry testing at an off-campus testing site will be permitted to visit campus after receiving a negative PCR COVID-19 test result and submitting their results through shsportal.newschool.edu. 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. 

Please note: Any community member who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days does not need to complete the entry test, however they must upload proof of their recent positive COVID-19 test result to the portal.

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.

Testing Schedule for Vaccinated Individuals 

After entry testing, vaccinated individuals are required to take a binx test every other week and provide a negative test result every 14 days to maintain access to campus buildings. We recommend that community members select a day of the week that works for their schedule and take a binx test on that day every other week. 

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 Unvaccinated or Partially Vaccinated Individuals

After entry testing, unvaccinated individuals with approved exemptions and those who are not yet fully vaccinated will be required to test twice a week and provide a negative binx test result within 4 days prior to accessing campus. The testing requirement for unvaccinated individuals will be in place throughout the fall semester.

We recommend that community members take a binx test every Monday and Thursday and provide a negative test result to maintain access to campus buildings. 

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.

The New School has updated policies on allowable travel during the fall 2021 semester, including domestic and international travel for various reasons including teaching and learning, scholarship, creative practice, and business purposes. 

Following any travel during the semester and/or holiday breaks (except for commuting to class from neighboring states), anyone returning to The New School will be required to complete two PCR COVID-19 tests: the first test on the day they arrive in New York City and a second test 4 days after that.

Vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine, but unvaccinated students with a valid medical or religious exemption must quarantine for 7 days in addition to completing re-entry testing. Students who receive a positive test result must remain in their room or home and email covidtesting@newschool.edu for further instructions.

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

• University Center, Event Cafe (Lower Level), 63 Fifth Avenue - Summer session and fall semester
• 2 West 13th Street, Lobby - Fall semester  
• 55 West 13th Street, Lobby - Fall semester 

Hours of Operation (except on university holidays):

• University Center: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• 2 West 13th Street: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• 55 West 13th Street: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 

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.