Policy on Health Requirements Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

 Policy on Health Requirements Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic (PDF | 122 KB)

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, NYU (“NYU” or “University”) has developed reasonable and appropriate public health measures designed to prevent, control, and mitigate the presence of COVID-19 on campus in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and public health guidance.  All members of the NYU Community are responsible for supporting and protecting the health, safety, and well-being of themselves and others. This commitment that we make to each other is especially important now, as the University faces new and evolving challenges while operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NYU has assembled a COVID-19 Prevention & Response Team (the “CPRT”) to support NYU’s efforts to reduce transmission of COVID-19 infection within the NYU community.  Its function is to: educate the NYU community about COVID-19; facilitate COVID-19 diagnostic testing and reporting of diagnostic test results; lead NYU’s contact tracing initiative; provide public health guidance to inform effective University policies and practices; and track and communicate campus-level COVID-19 infection trends.  The CPRT also works closely with other departments within the University, including the Student Health Center, to carry out its mission.

In accordance with these principles, NYU may issue health requirements and guidelines in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, which will be posted on the NYU Returns website or any successor website, and which may be communicated to members of the NYU Community by email or other media.  Such requirements and guidelines are incorporated by reference into this Policy and may be updated by NYU from time to time in accordance with changes in law and regulations, public health guidance, and the evolving nature of the pandemic.  Members of the NYU Community are responsible for staying informed about current health requirements and guidelines and for complying with this Policy and other policies and requirements related to COVID-19.  

This Policy is not intended to replace or supersede applicable laws and regulations.  Members of the NYU Community are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations at all times in addition to complying with this Policy. 

This Policy applies to all Members of the NYU Community who may access NYU Buildings or Campus Grounds or otherwise participate in NYU-Sponsored activities in the United States.

A. Vaccination

All Members of the NYU community are required to be fully vaccinated in order to have access to NYU Buildings and Campus Grounds or otherwise participate in NYU-Sponsored activities, except in limited circumstances.  The definition of a “fully vaccinated” individual and the requirements for demonstrating proof of vaccination will be established by NYU from time to time.  Individuals may request an exemption from the vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons, or current pregnancy, by following the applicable procedures established by NYU from time to time.

B. COVID-19 Testing

Members of the NYU community who are not fully vaccinated are required to comply with additional health and safety protocols as determined by NYU, including regular COVID-19 testing.  The type and frequency of testing will be established by NYU from time to time. 

C. Face Coverings

Members of the NYU Community must comply with all requirements regarding the wearing of face coverings and other personal protective equipment (PPE).  Face coverings and PPE must be used properly in accordance with applicable requirements.  Where an individual has a medical condition that would prohibit or restrict them from wearing a face covering, such individuals may request an accommodation.  Employees or contractors requesting an accommodation should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at oeo.accommodation@nyu.edu; students requesting an accommodation should contact the Moses Center for Student Accessibility at mosescsa@nyu.edu.

D. Physical Distancing

Members of the NYU Community must comply with all requirements regarding physical distancing from others.   

E. Events and Gatherings

NYU-Sponsored events, meetings, and gatherings (regardless of whether or not they are in NYU Buildings or on Campus Grounds) may be subject to limitations, including capacity and duration limits, pre-approval requirements, and additional health and safety protocols.  NYU Community Members who are sponsoring and organizing NYU-Sponsored events, meetings, and gatherings are responsible for complying with such requirements and ensuring that all participants are made aware of any applicable requirements.

F. Visitor, Vendor, and Affiliate Access

Access to NYU Buildings and Campus Grounds by visitors, vendors, and affiliates will be limited for public health reasons and may be subject to additional requirements such as sponsorship and pre-approval.  Visitors, vendors, and affiliates must comply with all applicable health requirements issued by NYU.

G. Screening and Access

Members of the NYU Community will be required to use the Daily Screener prior to accessing NYU Buildings or Campus Grounds or participating in NYU-Sponsored activities.  Individuals who are compliant with applicable NYU health requirements will receive authorization, limited to the date of intended entry, to enter the NYU Building or activity after using the Daily Screener.  Certain buildings, spaces within buildings, or types of events may require special authorization to enter as established by NYU from time to time.

H. Reporting and Contact Tracing

Members of the NYU Community will be required to promptly notify the CPRT of certain conditions, such as if an individual has received a positive COVID-19 test result or is experiencing COVID-like symptoms.  NYU has developed protocols to conduct contract tracing in coordination with the NYC Test & Trace Corps to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  Individuals who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus, have come into contact with someone who has had COVID-19, or who have met certain other conditions may be required to comply with certain public health protocols established by NYU from time to time, which could include quarantine or isolation.  All Members of the NYU Community are required to fully cooperate with all contact tracing protocols of NYU and any governmental authorities that may be established from time to time.

I.  Travel

NYU-Sponsored travel may be subject to restrictions, including pre-approval requirements and additional health and safety protocols.  All travel by Members of the NYU Community, whether personal or NYU-Sponsored, may be subject to additional requirements such as reporting and quarantine protocols.

J.  Campus Life Requirements

Members of the NYU Community must comply with all other requirements established by NYU from time to time with respect to certain types of activities, settings, and behaviors, including but not limited to eating and drinking; athletics, fitness, and recreation; and student housing.

K.  Enforcement

Students, staff, and faculty who violate this Policy will be subject to appropriate discipline or other consequences in accordance with applicable University policy.  Visitors, vendors, and affiliates who violate this Policy will be prohibited from accessing NYU Buildings or Campus grounds and may be prohibited from doing business with the University in the future.

L. Reporting Non-Compliance

Matters related to employee noncompliance will be handled by University Human Resources; matters related to student non-compliance will be addressed by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, in accordance with the University Student Conduct Procedures.

Campus Grounds means any space outside of or attached to NYU Buildings which is used by NYU, including but not limited to plazas, walkways, and loading docks.

Members of the NYU Community means any person who may have access to NYU Buildings or Campus Grounds or who may otherwise participate in NYU-Sponsored activities, including but not limited to faculty, staff, students, alumni, interns, volunteers, vendors, visitors, guests, and affiliates.

NYU Buildings means any building, owned or leased by NYU, in which NYU conducts any of its operations.  Such NYU Buildings include but are not limited to classrooms, laboratories, residence halls, administrative offices, libraries, auditoriums, sports facilities, and dining halls, including any balconies, hallways, and vestibules.

NYU-Sponsored means, with respect to any activity, that such activity is funded by NYU, organized by NYU, officially sanctioned by NYU, or otherwise meets certain criteria established by NYU from time to time.