Teachers College will maintain awareness of the federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidance to ensure that we have the most current information about the COVID-19 pandemic. We will work to ensure compliance with all health care guidelines and will coordinate with all agencies as needed. Important sources of information include (but not limited to):
Federal agencies COVID-19 related guidelines via:
State/Local agencies COVID-19 related guidelines via:
Teachers College will fully adhere to New York State Governor Cuomo’s phased reopening plan, New York Forward. Should any of the health metrics outlined in the state plan exceed the state’s threshold for safe activity, and the state elects to delay or shutdown reopening, Teachers College will take immediate action to adhere to the state plan by discontinuing partial or all campus activity.
In June 2020, Teachers College determined that the College courses would remain fully virtual with a few exceptions and that employees would continue to work remotely from home except essential employees. The College’s residential housing reduced the density of the residential students significantly to minimize the infection risk. As a result, the College determined that students would not have to vacate the residence halls if there was a shut down. The College created the following study spaces for isolated study outside of their rooms: 1. Library 2. Computer Lab 3. Grace Dodge Dining Hall. Each space is reconfigured to meet health and safety guidance.
There is no food service provided on campus this fall 2020. The College is permitting in-person classes for those very few courses that cannot be taught virtually.
Also, we are permitting a small number of faculty (5) to teach in zoom ready classrooms without students.
The college is continuously monitoring the state health metrics, which determine regional eligibility to move to the next phase of reopening. More information about these metrics can be found in the NY Forward Guide to Reopening. The College will also continue to be in contact with the NYC Department of Health. Should local or state authorities require a reduction in regional activity to decrease the risk of spreading the virus, the College will immediately respond by shutting down all non-essential campus activity.
The College will also monitor data acquired through the Daily Health Screening and COVID-19 Testing programs, to identify any or positive cases on campus. Should a positive case be identified on campus, the College will evaluate and determine, through the internal contact tracing process, whether a temporary or indefinite shutdown of campus activity is necessary to reduce the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19.
The following measures will be taken should either the external governing agencies OR internal monitoring of health conditions on campus warrant a phased or more full shutdown of campus activity to reduce risk of spreading COVID-19:
Phase One
Should the College’s contact tracing efforts identify a number of students that are positive, the College administration will determine with guidance from local health authorities the next steps. The next steps may include varied implementation of the above shut down measures.
Phase Two
Should New York State of New York City or local health authorities require New York City to reduce or stop activities to reduce transmission, the College may implement all of the above shut down measures.
Communication
Teachers College will continue to inform our community members about COVID-19 information concerning the health and safety of the campus. The communications will include any new changes in policies or actions the College is taking to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 infection. It will include directives to shutdown the campus, if necessary.