The university’s classroom, health and safety protocols and teaching guidance address safety concerns and support plans to minimize risks posed by COVID-19 at the university. While we continue to closely follow guidelines from the City and State of New York, we are confident of continued robust in-person experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Some important community standards remain in place following changes brought on by COVID-19:
- All university community members are encouraged to stay home if they feel unwell and/or are experiencing any symptoms, including from respiratory illnesses like COVID, flu, or colds.
- Community members who test positive for COVID, regardless of whether they feel ill, should follow current guidance regarding isolation and notification.
- Community members are encouraged to wear masks in all indoor spaces.
- Masks are required in the following spaces or circumstances:
With the transition to mask wearing being encouraged but optional, faculty may wish to consult these suggestions for creating respectful learning environments in which some students will continue to wear a mask and may be uncomfortable in some learning spaces.
In-person teaching guidance also gives a brief overview on issues of student absence and attendance and intentional course design with links to additional resources.
The Faculty Center has updated the Guide to Teaching and Learning website with specific information and guidance for this year:
- Beginning of Semester planning includes links to relevant guidance on teaching approaches and exercises to support in-person learning, including trauma-informed practices to support students’ mental and emotional well-being, and suggestions on grading, attendance and participation.
- Intentional Course Design offers suggestions for how to plan for various eventualities, including should mask-wearing become optional in classrooms.
- Masks and Communication includes a video tutorial, which can be shared with students.
- Masks Encouraged but Optional provides suggestions for structuring classroom interactions, creating a respectful learning environment and suggestions for activities to address differing student concerns regarding mask-wearing and risk.
- Supporting Students Now includes suggested practices and interventions to help our new generation of students be successful, especially in light of the challenges they’ve experienced over the last few years.
- General Guidance and Policies includes information on how to communicate to students, grading and participation, guest speakers and more.
- New School Resources provides short videos and introductions to the variety of support services available to faculty and students, including Student Counseling Services, the University Learning Center, Libraries, and printing on campus.
- And a reminder that faculty have a resource available to them through the Employee Assistance Program should you need assistance with counseling services, among other support services offered.