Covid Protocols & Resources
Thanks in advance for your patience and understanding as we work our way through an evolving regime of public health protocols this year. Uncertainty is the new uncertainty and we recognize there will be stresses. Please be assured that your safety, that of our students, and that of the people we report on remains our highest priority. The university regularly changes its protocols, and when changes occur, we'll update them here and also send out an email advisory. We seek to be transparent about public health conditions at the school and the university. We welcome your questions or concerns at any time.
In-person guest speakers and class visitors no longer require pre-approval by the dean, but if a guest will be visiting your classroom either to sit in or to talk to students, you still need to file paperwork, linked here, so we can keep track of who's in the building and reach them afterward should it become necessary. In addition:
- You should meet your guest in the lobby and escort them to your class
- If the guest is speaking to students, they have the option of unmasking. If they are simply sitting in on class, they must remain masked.
In addition to a gateway test at the beginning of the semester, the university each week randomly selects faculty, staff and students for COVID testing in an attempt to identify asymptomatic cases. If you receive such a notice, you'll have two weeks to take the test, which must be performed at one of the Columbia test sites. If you fail to do so, the university will take disciplinary action.
Because the samples are random, it's possible you may receive more than one notification requiring you to undergo a test. You'll need to comply each time you get a message, even if you were tested the previous week.
Vaccination status does not impact this requirement; even if you're vaccinated, you'll need to get a test. Instructions for scheduling a test will be included in the email.
Your participation and your results are confidential. Results will be shared only as minimally required to ensure compliance with state requirements and to address the health of the university community.
If a student tells you they've tested positive, notify Dean Melanie Huff ([email protected]) with the person’s name and UNI to allow the University to conduct contact tracing. If you test positive, notify Dean Laura Muha ([email protected]).
The affected person must isolate for 10 days from the time of their first symptoms or from the date of the positive test if no symptoms are present, regardless of vaccination status.
Students who are minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic may attend class via Zoom while in isolation.
Faculty who are minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic may teach class via Zoom while in isolation.
If a student reports feeling ill but has not been tested, refer them to Dean Huff.
All Columbia affiliates must continue to wear masks at all times in indoor settings in Columbia facilities, regardless of vaccination status. Vaccinated individuals may remove masks and not physically distance only in outdoor settings on Columbia’s campuses. Unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks both indoors and outdoors.
However, individuals may choose to continue to wear masks outdoors on Columbia’s campuses, thus, no assumptions should be made regarding why an individual chooses to mask outdoors.
The current University policy about masking applies to reporting as well. Because masking is required indoors on campus regardless of vaccination status, students need to be masked in indoor spaces where they are reporting as well, even when off campus.
Faculty and students have done a remarkable job of complying with public health protocols. We know it can be awkward, but if you see a student maskless or otherwise in violation of the Compact, say something, or ask one of us to say something.
Social distancing is not required for anyone who is vaccinated; those with medical or religious exemptions are asked to distance to whatever degree possible. We have scheduled all classes in rooms that permit instructors to remain at least six feet away from students if they so desire.
Faculty with offices should eat there with the door closed. If you have a shared space, eat when only one of you is present, unless your office is large enough for you and your office mate to remain socially distanced while eating. Eating outside is of course safe and preferred. We also have designated eating rooms: The Stabile Center, 502, and 601C. There you can maintain physical distancing (six feet) and eat safely.
Adjuncts without any office space can also use the Adjunct Lounge in room 107B to eat or relax between sessions, again maintaining physical distancing. Check with Dean Laura Muha ([email protected]) if you would like to use 107B and don’t already have access.
All faculty, staff and students must adhere to the university's Community Health Compact.
The latest information on the university's public health protocols can be found here.
This fall, reporting assignments can be handled in the normal fashion provided students adhere to the university's Health Compact and the following specific rules.
- The current University policy about masking applies to reporting as well. Because masking is required indoors on campus regardless of vaccination status, students need to be masked in indoor spaces where they are reporting as well, even when off campus.
- For domestic travel (meaning anywhere outside of the five boroughs) for school work (reporting stories), students must follow the guidelines of NY State and those of the destination area.
- International travel for school work (such as reporting an M.A. thesis) requires several layers of approvals and forms. Dean Huff will walk students through the various processes in November when these trips are being planned.