COVID-19 Community Guide

Vaccine Information

All students, faculty, and staff must be fully vaccinated, including a booster dose as soon as they are eligible (with the exception of those who receive approved medical or religious exemptions). 

Uploading Vaccine Record to SHS Portal
Community members can upload their vaccination records to the Student Health Services (SHS) portal by following these instructions.

Student Exemption
Students who wish to request an exemption must submit their documentation to Student Health Services by following these instructions.

Faculty & Staff Exemption
Faculty and staff who meet the criteria for medical or religious exemption must submit their documentation using these instructions. 

Questions
If you have questions, please email Student Health Services or BenefitsHelp@newschool.edu.

Testing

Everyone is strongly encouraged to take a PCR COVID-19 test within 48 hours after arrival on campus at the beginning of a semester or after university breaks.

Building Access
Testing is not required for building access for those who are in compliance with the university’s vaccination policy. Individuals with approved vaccination exemptions are no longer required to test for building access.

University COVID-19 Testing Site To Close March 24, 2023
The university will close the COVID-19 testing site at Arnhold Hall at 4:00pm on Friday, March 24. Free PCR tests will continue to be available until that time.

After Friday, March 24, students who need to test should contact or visit Student Health Services. 

Faculty and staff can get over the counter tests through Aetna benefits for eligible plan participants, the free federal at-home COVID-19 testing program, or their medical provider.

Testing Positive
If you test positive, stay home and isolate for five days or longer, depending on your symptoms, and speak with a medical provider. Upload your positive test result (PCR or rapid antigen) to the SHS Portal as soon as possible. Refrain from retesting after a positive test unless directed to do so by a health professional. 

Students will be asked to monitor their symptoms daily and can schedule a telehealth appointment by emailing shs@newschool.edu. Human Resources will check in with faculty and staff. 

Read more about our isolation policy for students.

Read more about our isolation policy for faculty and staff.

Masks

Masks are strongly recommended in indoor public settings on the campus, particularly in classrooms and other crowded indoor spaces. As we gather again after breaks, masks help mitigate increased risk for respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

The university supports anyone who wishes to wear a mask at any time, in any environment, and for any reason.

When Masks are Required
Masks are always required in Student Health Services, Student Disability Services, COVID-19 testing sites (Arnhold Hall, 55 West 13th Street), and when directed by a medical professional.

Free Masks
Free masks remain available at vending machines throughout campus.

Travel Guidance

Those who are traveling or at higher risk of infection should take appropriate measures to ensure safe arrival, including testing before travel and wearing a mask in public.

Travelers from People’s Republic of China (PRC)
Please note that, beginning January 5, 2023, the United States requires all travelers to the U.S. from People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result or recent recovery before boarding their flight.

Read more about the CDC guidelines.

Guests, Visitors, and Alumni

Effective immediately, guests and visitors to the New School are no longer required to obtain a guest pass (from the CLEAR app or Welcome Center Visitor Desk). 

In line with existing university policy, all guests and visitors must have their host present when they are signed in with Campus Safety. All students, staff and faculty must use their New School ID card to access campus buildings.

Data Dashboard

The New School COVID-19 Data Dashboard shows trends of vaccination rates and testing results of New School students, faculty, and staff on campus. The weekly report also includes comparison rates for our neighborhood and NYC.

Dashboard Data Sources
Data sources include The New School's secure health records system Point and Click and NYC Department of Health.

Questions and Resources

Read our FAQ for answers to commonly asked questions.