Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Baruch College and The City University of New York continue to develop and refine policies to protect the health and safety of the University community while honoring our mission to support students’ academic momentum and success. These policies, which include vaccination mandates, masking, Covid-19 testing programs, and case reporting protocols, are explained in detail at CUNY’s coronavirus web hub, #CantStopCUNY.
On Tuesday, Jan. 25, CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez issued a message to students, “Booster Mandate and Deadlines,” in response to the latest public health conditions and guidance from the Office of the Governor. Specifics from that message are also shared below.
Vaccination Policies for Students, Faculty, and Staff
The best weapon we have to contain the spread of Covid-19 and safeguard our health and that of our community is vaccination.
Covid-19 Vaccination
Vaccines continue to be required for all students taking in-person and hybrid courses. Any student enrolled for in-person and/or hybrid classes for Spring 2022 who has not uploaded proof of vaccination to CUNYfirst for the primary series of Covid-19 vaccination by January 19 will be de-registered. If they subsequently upload proof, students may register for courses up to the end of the add/drop period on Thursday, Feb. 3.
All students (except those with approved exemptions or exceptions) must be fully vaccinated in order to enter any CUNY facility.
Booster Mandate and Deadlines
According to the chancellor’s recent message, students enrolled in in-person and/or hybrid classes for Spring 2022 are required to get a Covid-19 vaccine booster shot as soon as they are eligible. The booster shot is add an extra layer of protection against Covid-19.
Booster Eligibility: You are eligible for the booster shot 5 months after the second shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or 2 months after the single Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Note: The CDC recommends the Pfizer or Moderna booster in most situations, regardless of which shot you received.
Booster Deadlines
If you are eligible for the booster on Friday, Jan. 28, the first day of the Spring 2022 term: You must upload proof of receiving the additional shot to CUNYfirst no later than Tuesday, Mar. 1.
If you become eligible after Friday, Jan. 28, but before the end of the Spring 2022 semester: You have 30 days after you become eligible to get the booster and upload proof to CUNYfirst.
Students who miss the booster deadline will not be able to register for Summer 2022 or Fall 2022 classes.
Booster How-To’s
If you attended in-person or hybrid courses this past fall and already uploaded proof of your first vaccines, you will have to add the booster shot—unless you have an approved exception or exemption (instructions to upload booster proof here).
Learn more about the booster shot and find a site near you at ny.gov/booster.
Already boosted? Upload proof of your booster shot now (instructions here).
Support and Resources
For answers to your CUNY vaccination policy questions, students should visit the virtual Baruch One Stop Shop (BOSS).
Students with questions about the Covid-19 vaccination policy and how it may impact them, should email the DeanOfStudents@baruch.cuny.edu.
Students with questions regarding uploading their vaccination documentation to CUNYfirst should email Baruch’s Local Vaccine Authority.
According to the chancellor’s recent message, all CUNY faculty will be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19, ensuring that everyone in a classroom is vaccinated, except the few with approved exemptions or exceptions. Details of the faculty vaccination mandate, which requires approval by the CUNY Board of Trustees, will be shared when available.
According to the chancellor’s recent message, any staff member returning to work for the new term for the first time in-person will need to (1) be vaccinated and have their proof-of-vaccination documents uploaded and approved in CUNYfirst or (2) will need to participate in CUNY’s Cleared4 testing program.
Covid-19 Testing and Case Reporting Protocols
Testing and protocols for reporting and managing cases help mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
CUNY has expanded current Covid-19 testing services, including free PCR testing. Any CUNY student or employee who needs to be tested for any reason is able to walk into a CUNY site, show their CUNY ID, register in the system, and get tested. Results are available within 24 to 48 hours. Check here for a complete list of CUNY sites and schedules.
The random testing of vaccinated students, faculty, and staff that began in November 2021 will be expanded for the Spring 2022 term. Each week, a number of randomly selected, vaccinated individuals are contacted (via email from no-reply@cleared4.org) to be tested. If you are contacted, testing is not optional, unless you have a fully remote schedule due to a reasonable accommodation.
Baruch College has protocols in place for students, faculty, and staff who have Covid-19 symptoms, who have a positive Covid-19 test result, or who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19. The protocols, different for students and for faculty and staff, are detailed and summarized here.
Note: According to the chancellor’s recent message, the University will follow the CDC’s guidance regarding quarantine and isolation times for those who test positive and people in close contact with those who test positive for Covid-19.
Masking is required in all indoor CUNY public places, with very few exceptions. Read CUNY’s guidance here. Acceptable masks fit well and are worn correctly. Masks should fit smoothly on the face and be worn under the chin and over the nose. To ensure a good fit for 3-ply surgical masks, users could follow the knot and tuck method recommended by the CDC (demonstrated here.) For guidance on acceptable face coverings, please refer to overall CUNY guidelines and the updated CDC guidance. More details here.
Staff Schedule Guidelines for Spring 2022
CUNY has issued a revised policy for staffing schedules for the Spring 2022 semester. Through Friday, Feb. 25, CUNY offices will continue to operate at capacity guidelines in place since August 2021. Starting on Monday, Feb. 28, staff members will work in-person 70 percent of the time (i.e., on campus 7 out of 10 days in each two-week period).
