2020-21 Academic Year

Important: Critical Deadlines for Your Return to Campus

August 20, 2021

Dear Students,

Below is a list of important reminders about your return to campus. Please read these steps carefully and pay special attention to the upcoming deadlines.

Requirements to Return to Campus
There are a few critical steps that must be taken before you will be allowed to access campus, which differ based on whether you are a domestic or international student.

  • International students
    • The deadline to submit your proof of vaccination has passed. If you have received your vaccine and not yet submitted proof of vaccination, you need to do so now.
    • If you are unvaccinated, you must get vaccinated upon your arrival to campus.
    • Before 9/1: Sign the Compact and complete your training.
    • Special notes for unvaccinated students arriving from outside of the United States:
      • You must quarantine upon entry to the United States and before accessing campus.
      • You must participate in mandatory weekly testing until you achieve full vaccination status (i.e., two weeks after the last dose of your vaccine).

Regardless of whether you are a domestic or international student, if you are unvaccinated and have received a medical or religious exemption, you must quarantine until you receive a negative result from your gateway test.

About Gateway Testing, the University Monitoring Plan and Masking Requirements

  • What is a gateway test?
    • A gateway test is your first, required COVID test before you are given a green pass on the ReopenCU app to freely access campus (you may access campus for your scheduled test).
  • Who is required to get a gateway test?
    • All faculty, staff and students who plan to access campus must get a gateway test.
    • Please note that if you have received a gateway test already this year (January 2021 to present), you have met this requirement.
  • How and when do you schedule your gateway test?
    • This test can be scheduled 7-10 days in advance of your arrival and must be taken on campus. Gateway tests must be scheduled by September 9. This graphic can help you determine the steps you need to take during the gateway testing process.
    • If you are arriving on campus after the 9/9 gateway test deadline, you can get it upon arrival. Please get it as soon as possible as it can take up to 72 hours to be updated on the ReopenCU app, which gives you access to University facilities.
  • Schedule your gateway test on the Columbia Health Patient Portal.
  • COVID-19 Monitoring Plan
    • A University plan is in place to keep us all informed and safe if significant changes in COVID levels occur, either on campus or in New York City.
    • Each level will trigger changes to the way the University operates with regard to gatherings, testing, and travel restrictions.
    • We are currently at risk level “Yellow.” You can read more about the various risk levels here.
  • Masks will be required in all indoor spaces until further notice, regardless of vaccination status.
    • Vaccinated students may remove masks outdoors.
    • Unvaccinated students must remain masked and practice social distancing at all times, and comply with testing requirements.
    • Faculty and instructors may remove their masks for instruction if they maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.

Please note that Columbia makes every effort to ensure the privacy of all health-related information. Read more details on our privacy policy.

Do you have a question that is specific to your personal situation? Reach out to one of the following email addresses:

Take care,

Joseph Defraine Greenwell, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Office of University Life
Gender Pronouns: He/Him/His
 
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