Dear Members of the TC Community,
It has been wonderful to see everyone returning to campus over the past week. We write today with information about exemptions from the College’s vaccination requirement if pregnant or breastfeeding; and reminders about the campus access requirements all students, faculty and staff must complete before accessing campus.
Exemptions from COVID-19 Vaccination if Pregnant or Breastfeeding
As previously stated, in accordance with New York State public health laws, the College allows for medical and religious exemptions from TC’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Students, faculty, staff, and TC housing affiliates may also now apply for an exemption from the College’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement due to pregnancy or because they are currently breastfeeding. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement page for more information on how to submit an exemption request.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
Campus Access Requirements
As a reminder, individuals must complete all campus access requirements before arriving on campusin order to gain entrance. On the preparedness site, there are four campus access checklists tailored to students, faculty and staff, supervisors and housing affiliates. In order to avoid any delay in accessing campus, please review and follow the steps in these checklists. This includes completing the daily health screening before you depart for TC on each day that you plan to access campus.
Review Campus Access Checklists
All of the steps required by members of the TC community to access campus are also outlined in this video. They include:
TC COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
The deadline to meet TC’s vaccination requirement has passed. If you have not yet submitted proof of vaccination, please do so now; or submit a request for an approved exemption. Individuals not in compliance will not be permitted on campus.
PCR COVID-19 Test
Gateway Test: If you are returning to campus for the first time since May 17, you must submit a negative PCR COVID-19 diagnostic test for campus access. Rapid tests are not acceptable for access to campus.
Your PCR diagnostic test must be administered within 14 days of the date on which you return to campus. If you submit a test result administered more than 14 days before returning to campus for the first time, you will be denied access. A diagnostic gateway test is not required for students, faculty, staff and affiliates who have been present on campus during the Summer 2021 terms. Read more about testing requirements.
Faculty and staff should submit test results to: Covidtesting@tc.columbia.edu; students should submit results to: CovidStudentCare@tc.columbia.
Mandatory Weekly Test: Individuals with approved exemptions are required to submit weekly negative COVID-19 PCR diagnostic tests. If a negative test is not submitted every week, they will not be permitted on campus.
Community Health and Safety Training
Access and complete TC’s mandatory Health and Safety Training. Please find the training for students here, and the training for faculty and staff here.
Daily Health Screening
Complete TC’s Daily Health Screening each day before accessing campus. Individuals must not come to campus unless they have received the green check. Install the myTC App on your phone for easy access to the Daily Health Screening.
Face Covering Requirements
All individuals are required to wear face coverings in most indoor settings on the Teachers College and the main Columbia University campuses regardless of vaccination status. Review TC’s face covering requirements and guidance.
For additional information about returning to campus, please continue to visit our Preparedness site. General questions and concerns should continue to be directed to returntocampus@tc.edu.
We appreciate your cooperation and support as we strive to create a safe, healthy campus environment for all!
Sincerely,
Lisa Seales
Vice President for Administration
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Working Group
Hank Perkowski
Vice President for Finance and Operations
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Working Group