Latest Updates for Spring 2022
January 12, 2022
Dear Brooklyn College community,
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed a restful holiday break and feel recharged.
As we are halfway through the winter intersession, I thought I would share with you the latest information we have about the coming spring semester.
If they have not done so already, students should register for spring semester classes as soon as possible. All students registered for in-person or hybrid classes this spring must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and they must upload their Vaccination Record Cards into CUNYfirst by January 18 or they will be de-registered from those classes. (If students upload their cards thereafter, they may register for spring until February 3.)
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that vaccinated students must get a booster shot when they are eligible (five months after receiving the second Pfizer or Moderna shot, or two months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson shot). Students should upload their booster in CUNYfirst once they receive it.
Governor Hochul also announced that faculty members are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If they have not done so already, faculty should upload their Vaccination Record Cards into CUNYfirst. Staff members also need to be fully vaccinated and upload their Vaccination Record Cards into CUNYfirst, or they need to participate in CUNY’s Cleared4 testing program. Starting February 28, staff not designated as essential workers for the safety of the campus are slated to begin to work approximately 70% on campus and 30% remotely.
Brooklyn College is now offering free PCR COVID-19 tests in our Student Center testing facility with extended hours of operation. In fact, any CUNY student or employee may now walk into any CUNY testing site, show their CUNY ID, and get a free COVID-19 test.
To enhance safety on our campus this spring, CUNY is expanding its mandatory random testing of staff, students, and faculty, increasing the number of people routinely tested, as well as the frequency of testing. Updated testing numbers for each campus are tracked on the CUNY website.
Masking will continue to be required in all Brooklyn College buildings. We encourage you to wear an N95, KN95, KF94, 3-ply surgical mask, or double mask (cloth mask over disposable mask). Masks should fit smoothly on the face and be worn under the chin and over the nose.
We will continue to clean and disinfect our facilities, enhance ventilation, and promote health and safety whenever we can. Our facilities team was especially busy last fall. They installed 195 UVC filters, 140 additional HEPA filters, 323 touchless water faucets, 270 touchless towel dispensers, and 2 touchless bottle filling stations. They repaired or upgraded 97 ventilation systems, and fixed or replaced 81 windows, 200 interior screens, and 65 exterior screens. Thank you to our excellent team for working tirelessly to enhance our safety.
As always, if you feel sick, get tested and stay home. If you test positive, you must isolate at home for at least five days and follow the CDC’s guidance. Use the College’s COVID-19 Case Collection Form to report symptoms, positive tests, and close contact exposure.
As you know, public health conditions will likely continue to evolve, and federal, state, city, and CUNY officials may modify policies and procedures applicable to the college, so we must remain flexible as conditions change. We will host an Open Forum on January 20 to answer questions and report the latest information we have. You must register in advance to attend this forum.
I know that, for many, recent increases in COVID-19 cases can bring uncertainty and stress. If you feel anxious, please know that you are not alone. We will work to support one another as we move forward. Despite the challenges we face, we are enthusiastic about the future, and we have great hope that 2022 will allow our campus community to thrive.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
