Campus Life
COVID-19 will cause changes across almost all aspects of university life in 2020-2021: in our daily habits; in the way we enter, exit, and move about buildings; in the way we collaborate; even in the way we clean our spaces. As we return to campus, safety must be first and foremost, and we must adapt our habits and practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep each other safe.
Building Basics
Making your way around campus may require a bit more effort and attention, but it is part of our effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Elevators
Limiting the maximum occupancy, prohibiting eating and drinking in the elevators, and encouraging elevator buttons to be pressed with a pen or knuckle. Elevator occupancy capacity as well as other policies will be posted outside each elevator.
Staircases and Hallways
Designating “one way” hallways and staircases—for up or down only—will give people space to social distance. Please look for signage for directions.
Restrooms
NYU will provide enhanced cleaning of bathrooms and ensuring paper towel dispensers are in all restrooms to encourage use of paper towels with hand washing or to open doors, turn faucets, etc. To report a restroom that has run out of soap or other supplies, please email NYU Client Service Center or call (212) 998-1001. Please be aware that some stalls or urinals may not easily lend themselves to social distancing.
Kitchens, Pantries, and Break Rooms
Determining which spaces may be closed temporarily, based on a department’s desire to balance the needs of its staff with any possible health concerns. These areas should not be used for gatherings.
Copy and Print Rooms
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers and hand wipes will be available near devices such as copiers, printers, shredders, or fax machines and you should wipe down machines before and after use. You are also encouraged to not wait in close proximity if others are there and face coverings should be used at all times. For large, complex jobs, consider utilizing NYU’s Copy Services. Please consider bypassing print altogether and distributing materials digitally.
Conference and Training Rooms
We will be posting updated occupancy signage outside conference and training rooms, and incorporating signage clearly demarcating furniture as “Not for Use.” In-person meetings and trainings should be avoided where possible.
Building HVAC Systems
NYU is taking steps to reduce the likelihood of buildings' air handling systems spreading COVID-19 by increasing fresh air flow and reducing recirculated air.
Read more about heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
Enhanced Building Cleaning
With the return to campus, the University will be implementing enhanced cleaning with special attention to "high touch" surfaces – door hardware, elevator panels, banisters, etc.
Personal Workspace Cleaning
While building maintenance staff will continue to clean offices, workspaces, and public spaces based on CDC guidance, please take additional care in these areas and wipe down your work areas at the end of each day.
In-person Events
All large, non-essential, in-person gatherings are prohibited at this time, and restrictions may evolve in alignment with public health guidance. Essential gatherings are for the purposes of core academic activities (e.g., classes), core essential research, or facilitating the health and safety of the University community that cannot be accomplished in a virtual/remote setting.
Libraries
NYU's libraries will be adjusting practices and procedures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Dining
NYU Eats is fully committed to fostering a safe, efficient dining environment while providing a wide variety of delicious, healthy and nutritious meal options to the NYU community.
Athletics, Recreation, and Fitness
Due to COVID-19, intercollegiate and intramural competitions are cancelled through January. However, NYU will be taking steps to keep teams engaged and to offer recreational and fitness opportunities.
Travel Policy
Information about the latest NYU restrictions regarding university-related travel, research travel, personal travel support, and guests traveling to NYU.
Commuting
Commuting is a fact of daily life for many members of the NYU community, and there are steps we can take to reduce the likelihood of coronavirus contagion.
Read more about safe commuting.
We recognize that COVID-19's effects have been disparate, and its impacts on poor communities and communities of color have been especially painful. In our response to the coronavius, NYU is committed to mitigating those impacts as well as ensuring no one in our community is ostracized, bullied, or mistreated due to ignorance around this disease. If any member of our community believes they have experienced harassment or discrimination, we encourage them to report concerns to the Bias Response Line.
Bias Response Line
(212) 998-2277