Campus Access Updates and Procedures

Dear New York Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff,

In preparation for the official start of the fall semester at New York Tech on September 8 and in response to current state and local guidelines, please be aware of new and existing policies related to COVID-19. We ask that all community members follow these procedures to ensure a safe and healthy return to campus.

ONLINE HEALTH SCREEN AND CAMPUS ACCESS

Beginning Wednesday, September 8, 2021, everyone accessing the New York City or Long Island campus is expected to complete the online COVID-19 Health Screen prior to arrival.
The COVID-19 Health Screen is a daily attestation, so please complete it each day you plan to visit campus—preferably before you leave home to confirm you are approved for campus access.
You can access the COVID-19 Health Screen on the my.nyit.edu portal.
In addition to questions about your exposure, and other standard questions, the Health Screen will ask if you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated, you must have a negative COVID-19 test result dated within the last seven days AND be able to produce it if asked by New York Tech security staff. Please note: You will not be able to upload your test results to the Health Screen app and will, instead, need to be prepared to provide proof of your negative test.
Security staff will be performing spot checks to ensure compliance. Also, please be prepared to show the approved Health Screen at campus entry, if requested.
To access the Long Island campus: Please enter at Main Campus Road, and be prepared to show your health screen at entry, if requested.
To access any New York City campus building: Please check in at 1855 Broadway to receive a security badge.
Remember to leave plenty of time to get to campus as delays may occur.

Health Screen Results
Once you have completed the online Health Screen, you will receive one of the following icons, which will also be sent to your nyit.edu email:

You are cleared to come to campus.

Unvaccinated. You may come to campus. Please be prepared to show your negative COVID-19 test result, taken within last 7 days, if asked by security staff.

Campus access is denied.

VACCINATION MANDATE

President Foley's August 23 email announced that all New York Tech students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated by October 22, 2021, and provide proof of vaccination. (Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their final dose of the vaccine.) This includes members of the New York Tech community who may not be coming to campus, including online students. Get more information about our vaccination policies, exemptions, and how to upload proof of vaccination here.

There are several options for New York Tech community members to get their COVID vaccines:

Academic Health Care Center, Long Island campus: Make an appointment to be vaccinated or to receive a booster when you are eligible by calling 516.686.1300.
On-campus Vaccination Events: As part of New York Tech’s participation in the White House COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge, several events in September will either offer free vaccines or vaccination incentives.
Find a vaccination site near you: Go to vaccines.gov, text your Zip code to 438829, or call 800.232.0233.

TESTING POLICY

New York Tech’s policy is that students, faculty, and staff returning in the fall semester who have not been fully vaccinated must be tested and receive a negative COVID test result within seven days of accessing campus for any given visit. Here are resources for obtaining a COVID-19 test in Long Island and New York City:

Long Island: Visit the Academic Health Care Center to receive a rapid PCR test, with results available within 15 minutes.
New York City: You can now make an appointment for a free rapid COVID-19 virus test at the Health Department's COVID Express sites throughout the city. Test results are available within 24 hours or less of your visit. There are also many locations in New York City that provide free testing without an appointment.

Individuals on the Long Island campus who are feeling ill with COVID-related symptoms should report to the Academic Health Care Center immediately; on the New York City campus, individuals experiencing COVID-like symptoms should go to room 602A (sixth floor) in 1855 Broadway and call the Academic Health Care Center (516.686.1300) to receive instructions on next steps.

If you have any questions regarding the vaccine or testing policies, please visit our COVID-19 vaccination information page.

NOTIFICATION OF POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST RESULT

If a student becomes aware that they are positive or has been in direct contact with someone who is positive:

The student must notify New York Tech by sending information as to the nature of the direct contact to contacttracing@nyit.edu. Please do not send any personal medical information in any emails you send to New York Tech.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or designee will advise the student on the appropriate action (i.e., isolation).
The CMO or designee will assess the need for contact tracing on campus and notify the health department, as appropriate.
The CMO or designee will inform New York Tech contacts (as determined through contact tracing) of the appropriate follow-up action (e.g., testing, quarantine).

If an employee becomes aware that they are positive or has been in direct contact with someone who is positive:

The employee must notify New York Tech by informing the Office of Human Resources.
Human Resources will inform the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
The CMO or designee will advise the employee on the appropriate action (i.e., isolation).
The CMO or designee will assess the need for contact tracing on campus and notify the health department, as appropriate.
The CMO or designee will inform New York Tech contacts (as determined through contact tracing) of the appropriate follow-up action (e.g., testing, quarantine) and will also provide this information to Human Resources.

MASK REQUIREMENT

All students, faculty, and staff are required to wear masks indoors (classrooms, labs, lounges, etc.) and in crowded public areas, irrespective of vaccine status.

In addition, we ask all community members to remain at home if they are ill. Vaccinated individuals can still carry the coronavirus and it is important to stay at home if you have flu-like symptoms so you do not put others at risk. We must all remain vigilant in our efforts to reduce the spread of this virus.

As always, those who may feel anxious or uneasy can reach out to Counseling and Wellness Services at our campuses in Long Island (516.686.7683) or New York City (212.261.1773) to talk or make a virtual appointment.

Sincerely,

Brian L. Harper, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief Medical Officer, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
Vice President, Equity and Inclusion