Dean's Office

COVID-19 Updates from the University

November 27, 2020

Dear School of the Arts Faculty, Staff and Students:

I wish you all a very good holiday. Below you will find some important COVID-19 updates from the University. Be well. Be safe.

UPDATED COVID-19 RESOURCE GUIDE

Stay Safe on Campus, a new section of the COVID-19 Resource Guide for the Columbia Community, provides easy access to information about getting a flu shot, frequent hand washing, testing, when to stay home, gathering safely, and traveling smart.

UPDATED UNIVERSITY EVENT POLICY

To remain compliant with the most recent New York State requirements and University Health policies, the University recently updated its Event Policy for Fall 2020. Information on outdoor and tented space can be found here.

TRAVEL-RELATED DEPARTURE AND RETURN TESTING

While nonessential travel is still not recommended, as we go into the holiday season the University is supporting testing for those who need to travel through the University’s testing sites. You may also indicate that you are traveling when scheduling testing online.   

If you are travelling during the holidays/winter break, it is recommended that you have a test and receive a negative result before departing. Returning travelers who wish to shorten the New York State required quarantine must: 

  • Have been tested in the 72 hours before you leave the state or country outside of New York (except for contiguous states);
  • Quarantine upon arrival in New York until day 4; 
  • Be tested on day 4 or the next business day (if day 4 is on a weekend); and  
  • Return to quarantine until a negative second test is received.   

If you did not have a test in the 72 hours before departure you must quarantine for the full 14 days per New York State requirements. 

VOLUNTARY TESTING IS NOW AVAILABLE

In addition to the ongoing surveillance testing program, the University has increased options to include weekly voluntary testing for those accessing campus regularly.  To participate, select the “voluntary testing” option when scheduling online.  Voluntary testing is currently available at the William Black Building (CUIMC) and Lerner Hall (Morningside) locations. 

ADDITIONAL TESTING SITES ADDED

To support members of the Columbia community who work at locations other than the CUIMC, Morningside, or Manhattanville campuses, the University has added limited capacity for gateway and random surveillance testing at Tarrytown (twice monthly), Lamont (twice monthly) and 51st Street (weekly). Voluntary and travel-related testing are not currently available at these sites. Availability can be found when scheduling online. 

SPRING 2021 NEW TESTING PROGRAM DETAILS

All members of the community will be required to have a new Spring term 2021 gateway test through the University program in order to access campus facilities beginning January 4, 2021. Details about the new Columbia University Test and Trace Program Spring 2021 plan can be found here.

VACCINE STUDY AND OTHER CLINICAL TRIALS

The COVID-19 Prevention Network has established a Volunteer Screening Registry for individuals who are interested in participating in current or future COVID-19 prevention clinical trials, including vaccine and other clinical studies. Also attached are recruitment flyers about the study. The study has been approved by Columbia University's Irving Medical Center's Institutional Review Board (CUIMC IRB).

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