Campus Access Requirements

At the start of each semester, you must submit a gateway PCR test, regardless of vaccination status. If that test is negative, you will be allowed to access campus, though you may need to get tested again throughout the semester if your are selected for the Random Testing Program. If your gateway PCR test is positive, you will need to quarantine for the designated amount of time. Find the deadline for the current semester’s gateway PCR test on the Campus Access Requirements Checklist.

If you receive a positive COVID-19 PCR test, please take the Daily Health Screening and answer to indicate that you have tested positive. You will not be permitted to return to campus until you receive clearance from a doctor and have completed 10 days of isolation. If you are a student or faculty member and would like to study or teach remotely during this time, find more information here. Staff members should review sick time and/or remote working options with the supervisor.

TC students, faculty or staff holding a valid TC ID card may access campus through the main entrance at the Zankel Building (525 West 120th Street) or the driveway entrance adjacent to the Public Safety Booth on West 120th Street. Please present your TC ID at the entrance reader, along with your green check Daily Health Screening (DHS) pass for the day of entry.

Pre-registered and approved visitors and contractors must enter campus through the main Zankel Building entrance only, and check-in at the Public Safety Desk with government issued photo identification. Visitors must complete all campus access requirements detailed here.  

The Whittier Hall entrance remains restricted to Whittier Hall residents, and employees who work in Whittier Hall.

No. TC community members must take the Daily Health Screening located in the myTC Portal (either via your internet browser or the myTC App) in order to receive a “green check” to access both TC and CU campuses.

NYC public transit systems are operating regularly and Columbia University continues to provide a variety of Shuttle Bus options within the local Morningside. Find details about transportation options here. CU’s commuter shuttle is being discontinued and the last day of service will be December 30, 2021.

In addition to the CU Morningside and commuter shuttles, Teachers College has partnered with Columbia Transportation, Public Safety and Via to provide on-demand transportation service as an alternative to walking alone at night. Find details about all available transport options at tc.edu/transportation.

Public Safety will continue to maintain security vigilance throughout campus and the surrounding areas. Columbia University Public Safety will continue to provide visible vehicle patrols throughout the immediate campus community. Teachers College students, faculty and staff are eligible to use the free on-demand evening shuttle using the Via app. Find details about how to access the shuttle here.

Teachers College has developed a Campus Events Policy outlining the parameters for hosting both internal and external meetings, events and gatherings on campus for the ‘21-’22 academic year. This policy is subject to change if/when circumstances related to COVID-19 including updates in guidance from federal, New York State and City occur. Read the 2021-2022 Campus Events Policy.

Yes. Face coverings are required for all persons, regardless of vaccination status, and must be worn at all with limited exceptions (read about those exceptions here). The quality of the face covering must also meet a certain standard. Learn more about the College’s face covering policies here.

TC will not supply PPE for the general community. While all persons entering campus are required to wear a face covering, individuals should possess and maintain their own personal face coverings. In limited situations face coverings may be available from the Zankel Public Safety Desk for visitors who arrive on campus without a face covering.

PPE is being provided to students, faculty and staff involved in certain research functions, and for essential staff performing certain duties. PPE distribution is pursuant to a Job Safety Analysis performed by the TC Environmental Health and Safety Team. To request a Job Safety Analysis or to request PPE please submit a request to the attention of the EHS Team at officeofpublicsafety@tc.columbia.edu.

Physical distancing requirements are no longer mandated by New York State or the federal CDC, and as such are no longer mandated on campus. However, best practice recommendations include maintaining an awareness of social distancing in environments which may include individuals who are unvaccinated and/or without face coverings.

The College’s events policy and visitor policy take density issues into account and have been developed to help promote the ability to physically distance on campus per best practices.

Yes. Face coverings are required in almost all indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. All individuals on campus are expected to comply with the health & safety measures established by the College, including the use of face coverings. Any violations of this face covering policy should be reported to the nearest Public Safety Officer.

If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine unless you have symptoms of the virus. However, you should be tested three to five days after your exposure, even if you do not have symptoms, and should wear a face covering when indoors in public areas for 14 days following exposure or until receiving a negative COVID PCR test. If you test positive, you must take the Daily Health Screening to indicate you are positive for COVID-19 and then quarantine for 10 days. You will not be permitted back on campus until the 10 days have passed.

If you have received an approved vaccine exemption (thus, you are unvaccinated),and you have close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19 you must (1) take the Daily Heath Screening and indicate you have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and (2) self-quarantine for 14 days and limit you contact with others. You will not be allowed to come back on campus until you have been symptom-free for 14 days and have submitted either a clearance letter from your healthcare provider or a negative PCR test. Students should submit their letters or tests to the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs, employees should submit to the Office Human Resources.

Find more information on protocol for COVID-19 exposure and positive PCR tests here.

Please refer to HR’s Return to Campus site.