UPDATED ON AUGUST 3, 2020
NYITCOM is excited to open our Old Westbury campus to our students, faculty, and staff. During these last few months, we have been working to prepare for this – preparing our buildings, reviewing all federal, state and local guidance, and obtaining supplies. We recognize that in these uncertain times we will continue to change and adapt, and we will continue to keep our community updated. Please continue to check for updates and changes.
Our Corona Virus Task Force continues to be in regular contact with all appropriate agencies and we will continue to follow local public health recommendations.
Campus Activity
We continue to encourage our community to work and study from home as practical in order to reduce the amount of people on campus at any given time. Faculty and staff should continue to work with your supervisors on schedules and assignments.
While we look forward to seeing everyone back on campus, please note that we are asking everyone to be mindful to maintain a 6-foot distance, wear masks in all public areas and utilize hand sanitizers and proper hand washing. Please note that elevator access is restricted to 2 individuals per elevator at a time. Please follow all directional signs posted throughout campus.
NYITCOM continues to follow all CDC guidelines regarding individuals who are experiencing symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Please review these guidelines at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html . If you are experiencing symptoms or believe you have been exposed please remain off campus. Our Academic Health Care Center continues to offer both telehealth services as well as COVID testing. Please contact them at 516.686.1300 to schedule an appointment.
All meetings will remain via Zoom and other virtual platforms. If you need to communicate with a colleague or coworker, we ask that you continue to maintain the 6-foot distance, wear masks and utilize remote communication as much as possible.
Faculty and staff are available remotely to all students. Please do not visit individual offices in person unless directly instructed to do so. Our faculty and staff will remain accessible via email, phone or zoom and are happy to speak to students. A full faculty and staff directory is available on the NYIT portal.
Campus Access
Main Campus Road will continue to be the entrance to campus. Please enter on Main Campus Road and exit via West Road. Faculty and staff should come to campus as directed by their supervisors. Campus hours remain Monday through Friday 7am – 6pm. Students should come to campus as scheduled by Academic Affairs.
You must have your NYIT ID card and a face covering and be prepared for a temperature check upon entry to campus. NYIT ID cards are available through the campus security desk at Simonson House. They can be reached at 516.686.7789.
If you choose to leave campus during your lunch break, please note that you will be subject to the same campus access procedures upon your return.
Campus Services
As of July 20, the Riland Café is open Monday – Thursday from 7:30am to 4:00pm and Fridays 7:30 am – 3:00 pm. There is a modified menu that will be expanded during the semester. Current options include coffee, snacks, and beverages and a variety of hot and grab and go options for breakfasts and lunches. There is a modified floor plan so please be mindful of signs around the café.
Vending machines are disabled for the time being and we are asking individuals to refrain from utilizing communal refrigerators and microwaves. Restrooms remain open but shower and locker rooms are closed.
The NYITCOM library circulation desk is open. Please return all books utilizing the book drop located outside of the library on the main level of the Rockefeller.
Study rooms, silent study and other areas are closed. Library study carrels on the lower two levels of the library will be open for limited hours and only to students permitted to be in the space pursuant to direction from Academic Affairs. Students will be required to check in with the library front desk and may only stay for their assigned times. Public use laptops will no longer be available. Please use your personal devices to connect to our printers. Our medical librarians are available to assist. Please contact Mahnaz Tehrani at mtehrani@nyit.edu.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures
All communal areas will be cleaned multiple times a day both during and after campus hours. Please note that cleaning crews are working on a schedule and therefore restrooms and other areas may be closed for brief periods for cleaning during the workday.
NYIT has been upgrading HVAC systems to ensure proper ventilation in all buildings. Please note that this may result in some fluctuations in temperature as adjustments are made.
COVID Testing
In accordance with the NYIT reopening plan (which can be found at nyit.edu/reopening), please note that we are requiring all students to obtain a diagnostic test for COVID-19. COVID testing will also be available for all faculty and staff. This screening test will be performed at no cost to the COM community. In addition, random testing may be performed during the semester. We are actively working with HR on policies and testing and will continue to share information as it is available. Please check your email for information related to testing and procedures.
When a positive test is discovered, you will be asked to remain in isolation and follow-up with guidance from the local health department and your healthcare provider before returning to campus. We are partnering with the Nassau County Health Department on contact tracing and information sharing. We will follow all CDC guidelines on returning to campus.
While we recognize that we cannot eliminate all risks of transmission on campus, we are committed to doing our part to minimize potential risks to our community.
Please note that this initiative is part of our overall strategy to reduce the chances of anyone coming into contact with the COVID-19 virus while on campus. Our approach includes, limiting traffic on campus, physical distancing, promoting proper hygiene, daily temperature screening, increased cleaning and disinfection, and the use of face coverings among other initiatives and changes throughout our campus. We ask that everyone cooperate and do their part to maintain a healthy campus environment.