COVID-19 Guidance & Information
The health and safety of the GCNYC community remain our top priority.
GCNYC will continue to comply with local, state and federal guidance related to COVID-19. GCNYC reserves the right to update its guidelines and rules. GCNYC will continue to communicate COVID-19 related updates and any changes to these policies in a timely manner.
GCNYC Covid-19 Safety Updatesย
In September 21/22, GCNYC resumed in-person learning and continues to offer a remote learning option with the Collegeโs new hyflex classroom capabilities.
While we are excited to be on campus,ย the health and safety of our GCNYC and New York City community remain the Collegeโs top priority.
Please refer to this page for theย Collegeโsย latestย Covid-19 safetyย information and policies.ย The Collegeย will continue to monitor CDC and NYS guidelines and mandates and provide updates to the GCNYC Community in a timely manner.
Theย information and policies on this pageย are subject to change.ย GCNYC reserves the right to change these policies at any time.
Forย anyย questionsย or to report non-compliance with College policiesย contact:ย covidresponse@gcnyc.com
Thank you for doing your part in keeping the GCNYC Community safe and healthy!
Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination and Booster Shots:ย
At this time GCNYC is strongly encouraging all students, staff, and faculty to receive their Covid vaccinations and stay up to date with booster shots.
Temporary Mask Mandate:
At this time, GCNYC strongly encourages mask wearing especially in crowded settings. As always, we will continue monitoring the Covid numbers in New York and this policy may change in the future.
Covid Symptoms
Overall, we request that if you are feeling ill that you do not come to class, work, or events on campus. Regardless of vaccination status, all students and employees should continue to monitor their health, and anyone with exposure to someone with Covid-19, who experiences Covid-19 symptoms, or who has tested positive for Covid-19 should follow the guidance below and advise the College as soon as possible at covidresponse@gcnyc.com so that we can continue to make well-informed public health decisions about in-person activity on campus.
If You Are Experiencing Any of the Covid-19 Related Symptoms as Listed Below or If You Live with Someone Who Is Experiencing These Covid-19 Related Symptoms:
ONE of these symptoms unrelated to a pre-existing condition (e.g. asthma, allergies):
- New cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- New loss or taste or smell
- Fever (100.4 degrees or greater)
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea (2x in 24 hours)
- Congestion or runny nose
- Self report by emailing covidresponse@gcnyc.com
- In order to return, the symptoms must have subsided, and you must receive a Covid-19 test and provide proof of a negative test result. Please submit your test results to covidresponse@gcnyc.com.
ย
If You Have Been Exposed to Covid-19
If you donโt have symptoms: You do not need to isolate. You must wear a mask for 10 days when around others and get tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure.
If you do have symptoms: Do not come to campus. You should isolate, get tested as soon as possible and remain at home until you receive the results.
- Self report by emailing covidresponse@gcnyc.com
- In order to return, any symptoms must have subsided, and you must receive a Covid-19 test and provide proof of a negative test result. Please submit your test results to covidresponse@gcnyc.com.
Click here for the latest guidance regarding exposure from the CDC.
If You Have Tested Positive for Covid-19
- Generally, you may return to campus after your 10-day isolation period unless you continue to have symptoms.
- Follow guidance from your healthcare provider and/or the CDC regarding the appropriate time to be around others again.
- Self report by emailing covidresponse@gcnyc.com.
- In order to return to campus, any symptoms must have subsided and you must check-in with the College.
- Contact covidresponse@gcnyc.com for questions.
Click here for the latest guidance regarding isolation from the CDC.
If Any of the Above Scenarios or Caring for an Ill Family Member with Covid-19 Will Require You to Miss Class or Work
Students: Inform your instructors and the College at covidresponse@gcnyc.com as soon as possible. Please include whether you are well enough to attend classes virtually and provide updates if there are any changes to your health.
- If you are unable to attend classes remotely due to COVID-19 related illness or due to caring for an ill family member with COVID-19, students will be accommodated on a case-by-case basis. Please notify your instructors and the College at covidresponse@gcnyc.comย soon as possible.
- If a student misses more than 4 consecutive classes due to COVID-19 related illness or due to caring for an ill family member they must withdraw from the course and may re-take it in a future trimester. If a student in this scenario has completed tuition payments for the trimester, their fee will be waived for re-taking the course in a future trimester.
Faculty: Notify the College at covidresponse@gcnyc.com as soon as possible. Please include whether you are well enough to continue or switch to remote instruction and provide updates if there are any changes to your health.
- If you are unable to instruct classes remotely due to COVID-19 related illness or due to caring for an ill family member with COVID-19, please notify the College atย covidresponse@gcnyc.comย and your students, including plans for arranging a make-up class as soon as possible.
- In instances of where an extended period of absence is required, the College will make accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Faculty may be asked to arrange a substitute instructor upon the approval of the Vice President & Provost.
Staff:ย Notify your supervisor and/or the Vice President & Provost as soon as possible. Please include whether you are well enough to work remotely and provide updates if there are any changes to your health.
Regular communication should be maintained between the individual and their supervisor and/or the Vice President & Provost with regards to progress.
Enforcement:ย
Non-compliance with the Collegeโs Covid-19 health and safety policies has been added as an offense in the Code of Student Conduct policy within the GCNYC College Catalog. Individuals can report non-compliance or safety concerns toย covidresponse@gcnyc.com.ย ย
International and Domestic Travel:ย Traveling increases your risk of getting and spreading Covid-19. GCNYC discourages unnecessary travel and encourages individuals who believe they may have been exposed to Covid-19 while traveling to receive a PCR test prior to returning to campus.ย
How to Find a Covid Testing Site Near You:ย
In New York:ย Click hereย to visit the NYS Covid-19 Test Site Finderย
For other areas: Contact your healthcare provider or visit your state, tribal, local and territorial Health Department Website,ย click hereย to access the CDCโs Health Department Directories.ย ย
Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure: Health information about a student, employee or their family member obtained solely for the purposes of absence arrangements, utilizing sick leave or government mandated reporting shall be treated as confidential and shall only be disclosed with necessary College staff. In the case of reporting or contact tracing, GCNYC will maintain the confidentiality of the individual and inform them before sharing any personally identifiable information.
Additional On-Campus Safety Measures:
In addition to the below guidance, GCNYC has taken the following safety measures on-campus:
- Installed new filters in our HVAC system which will be regularly replaced
- Installed touchless hand sanitizer and soap dispensers throughout campus
- Posted signage to remind individuals to wear their masks and practice habits that help to stop the spread of Covid-19.
- Free face masks have been made available at the Security Desk and Front Desk.
Mode of Attendance Options: Remote and/or On-Campusย
When registering for classes, students will be able to select their preferred mode of attendance for the trimester. In-person seats will be limited on a first-come first-served basis to ensure that students can be socially distant in the classroom. Certain courses will remain completely remote. All classes will continue to be synchronous and held in the evening.ย ย
New equipment being installed over the summer will allow for faculty to simultaneously instruct classes in-person and on Zoom. Remote students will be able to participate in live classes via cameras and microphones in the classroom.ย
Temporaryย Staff Schedule Informationย
GCNYC staff is temporarily on a rotating schedule in which members of the team are each on campus 2-3 per week. At least one member of staff will always be on campus from 9/10am-6pm Monday-Thursday. Staff will not be present on campus on Fridayโs. For your reference, a schedule of these days is available on GCULearn.ย
GCNYC Support Resourcesย
Our staff and faculty continue to be ready to supportโฏstudents during this difficult time.โฏPlease feel free to reach out to Jessica Chang Russel, Michael Cohen, an instructor, or your academic advisor should you have any questions, concerns, or special needs. Jessica Chang Russell can be reached at โฏJessica.ChangRussell@gcu.ac.uk.โฏMichael Cohen can be reached atโฏmichael.cohen@gcu.ac.uk.ย
Note:ย GCNYC recognizes that COVID-19โs effects have been disparate, and its impacts on poor communities and communities of color have been especially painful. In our response to the coronavirus, GCNYC 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 experiencedย or witnessedย harassment or discrimination, we encourage them to report concerns to the Title IX Coordinator atย titleixcoordinator@gcu.ac.uk.ย