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Fall 2021 Safety Guidance

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is the single most important step you can take to end this pandemic for good. CUNY mandates all students taking in-person and hybrid classes get vaccinated and upload proof of vaccination in CUNYfirst.

CUNY COVID-19 Safety Tracker

The latest safety metrics are updated weekly every Tuesday. Testing is evaluated over a one-week period from Monday to Sunday.

Most Recent Week (9/27 – 10/03)

Affiliation Location Positives # Tested # % of Positive Tests Positives from Non-CUNY Sites*
Baruch College 0 560 0.00% 3
BMCC 0 591 0.00% 0
Bronx Community College 1 396 0.30% 0
Brooklyn College 1 444 0.20% 1
Central Office, RF, Other 0 229 0.00% 1
City College of New York 0 206 0.00% 4
College of Staten Island 0 297 0.00% 0
Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism 0 8 0.00% 1
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health 0 11 0.00% 0
CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies 0 7 0.00% 0
CUNY School of Law 0 13 0.00% 0
CUNY School of Professional Studies 0 38 0.00% 0
CUNY Graduate Center 0 56 0.00% 2
Guttman Community College 0 12 0.00% 0
Hostos Community College 0 228 0.00% 1
Hunter College 1 748 0.10% 8
Hunter College High School 0 9 0.00%
John Jay College 1 484 0.20% 0
Kingsborough Community College 0 377 0.00% 1
LaGuardia Community College 0 144 0.00% 0
Lehman College 1 227 0.40% 0
Medgar Evers College 0 127 0.00% 0
New York City College of Technology 0 297 0.00% 1
Queens College 4 234 1.70% 1
Queensborough Community College 1 439 0.20% 0
York College 0 274 0.00% 2
TOTAL 10 6,456 0.20% 26

Cumulative (8/25 – 10/03)

Affiliation Location Positives # Tested # % of Positive Tests Positives from Non-CUNY Sites*
Baruch College 14 4902 0.30% 15
BMCC 12 4930 0.20% 10
Bronx Community College 5 2915 0.20% 5
Brooklyn College 15 3752 0.40% 8
Central Office, RF, Other 1 1715 0.10% 1
City College of New York 3 1763 0.20% 16
College of Staten Island 5 2385 0.20% 15
Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism 0 79 0.00% 4
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health 0 87 0.00% 0
CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies 0 53 0.00% 0
CUNY School of Law 0 123 0.00% 5
CUNY School of Professional Studies 1 251 0.40% 1
CUNY Graduate Center 1 424 0.20% 2
Guttman Community College 0 80 0.00% 3
Hostos Community College 6 1884 0.30% 4
Hunter College 17 6886 0.20% 49
Hunter College High School 0 47 0.00%
John Jay College 16 4223 0.40% 2
Kingsborough Community College 3 2149 0.10% 5
LaGuardia Community College 1 896 0.10% 7
Lehman College 8 1859 0.40% 1
Medgar Evers College 3 1090 0.30% 6
New York City College of Technology 3 1619 0.20% 5
Queens College 6 1496 0.40% 8
Queensborough Community College 12 3587 0.30% 2
York College 6 2435 0.20% 13
TOTAL 138 51,630 0.30% 187

*Positives from Non-CUNY Sites: People who test for reasons other than entering a CUNY facility and are self-reporting to the Campus Coronavirus Liaison

Countdown to 10/7/21

Upload Vaccination Proof Deadline

The FDA’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine on 8/23/21 has triggered a 45-day FINAL deadline for CUNY students who are taking in-person or hybrid classes to get vaccinated and have their vaccination documentation uploaded in CUNYfirst by 9/27/21, so it can be verified and approved by the 45-day deadline, 10/7/21. Failure to do so will subject students to potential academic withdrawal from their classes that could also impact their financial aid and make them ineligible for refunds on their courses (the only exception are students who have been granted a medical exemption or religious exception).

Thursday,
August 26
deadline for first dose of Moderna vaccine

Thursday,
September 2
deadline for first dose of Pfizer vaccine

Thursday, September 23
deadline for single dose of Johnson & Johnson

Monday,
September 27
deadline to upload proof of vaccination documents to CUNYfirst

Thursday,
October 7
Final day for proof of full vaccination to be verified and approved on CUNYfirst

Use these tools to find a free vaccine site close to you and to check which vaccine(s) they offer:

NYS VACCINE FINDER
NYC Vaccine Finder
Check off with pen icon

Course Withdrawals

If you did not upload proof of vaccination by 9/27/21, you will be withdrawn from, and receive a “WA” grade for, any and all of your in-person/hybrid classes by 10/8/21 (or 10/21/21 for LaGuardia, Kingsborough, and Guttman students who begin the term later). You will remain enrolled in any and all online classes. After reading the below, if you have questions or seek permission for delayed vaccination, please email your Campus Location Vaccine Authority (LVA) Liaisons.

More Time to Upload

You may still have until 10/7/21 to upload proof of vaccination to CUNYfirst if you:

  • didn’t complete vaccination on time due to medical reasons, unavoidable personal circumstances, or other reasons, or
  • experienced complications in uploading documents or didn’t upload the proper document, or
  • received a permission from your campus LVA to submit proof you’ve had at least one shot of Pfizer or Moderna and you will complete your second shot by 10/7/21, or
  • or received a permission from your campus LVA to submit proof you’ve had the Johnson & Johnson shot before 10/7/21, (students with permissions who are not fully vaccinated by 10/7/21 should consult with their instructors on how to manage missing classes until they are able to enter campus), or
  • attend LaGuardia, Guttman or Kingsborough: because your semester began on 9/9/21, at the discretion of the college you may have until 10/7/21 to upload proof of vaccination. If you are vaccinated after 9/23/21, you must receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Other Exceptions

  • If you are enrolled in a hybrid course that will have its first in-person class after 10/7/21, you must be fully vaccinated before the class meets. You must upload proof of vaccination up to 10 days prior to the first in-person class.
  • If you are enrolled in a hybrid course that had all its in-person classes before 10/7/21, you will not be withdrawn from that course.
  • Students with approved medical or religious exemptions will not be withdrawn from classes for Fall 2021.
  • Medical Exemptions submitted after 9/27/21 and before 10/7/21 may be considered in extreme cases, such as if recent COVID-19 infection prevented vaccination (religious exceptions submitted after 9/27/21 will not be considered).
  • You may appeal to have your withdrawal removed if your proof of vaccination is submitted and processed and you believe your withdrawal was made in error. The appeal process will be the same as for other immunization compliance and appeals.

1. Fully vaccinated?
Upload proof of vaccination in CUNYfirst, wait for it to be approved, then register for the “CUNY Access Pass” through Cleared4 for easy access to campus.

2. Didn’t get vaccinated?
You will be withdrawn from your in-person/hybrid classes by 10/8/21. Check here for possible exceptions.

3. Visiting a campus for any reason after 10/7/21?
Must upload proof of vaccination in CUNYfirst. Only fully vaccinated students or students with approved medical exemptions or religious exceptions and a negative COVID test taken at CUNY site within the last 7 days will be able to enter CUNY facilities. Unvaccinated students may still access emergency services if they present a negative test from the last week.

4. Only taking online courses?
No need to show proof of vaccination or enroll in weekly testing since you won’t be physically present on campus.

vaccination form

Useful Info for Students

COVID-19 Testing Program FAQ

Vaccination Verification Instructions

Vaccination Mandate FAQ

Getting Back to Learning on Campus FAQ

CUNY Testing Sites

Campus Location Vaccine Authority Liaisons

Temporary Mask Mandate

Campus Student Affairs Offices

University Guidance

Campus Reopening Plans

CUNY’s 25 campuses have developed individual reopening and operating plans to cover a range of scenarios.

Academic Continuity

Academic Continuity Guidance
Click this link to review CUNY’s latest COVID-19 Academic Continuity Guidance. The document is formatted as a running list of issues, such as: Fall 2020 Instructional Modalities & Scheduling; University Admissions, Research Continuity; MSCHE Accreditation Issues; NYSED Regulatory Issues; Academic Policies, Requirements, and Deadlines; Shared Governance and HR Issues; Financial Aid and Other Types of Support; Clinical Placements; Distance Learning Platforms, Tools & Resources; Student Success, Equity & Inclusion; Internships; Adult and Continuing Education Programs; Travel.

Faculty Related Academic Continuity Guidance
Click this link to review information excerpted from the full Academic Continuity Guidance document that is especially relevant to faculty.

Travel Guidance

Equity and Inclusion

We want to remind our diverse CUNY community that we are an institution that takes pride in its welcoming environment and unwavering commitment to the values of equity and inclusion. One unfortunate and unacceptable aspect of the coronavirus pandemic has been a wave of anti-Asian and anti-Asian-American bigotry. References to COVID-19 that connect the virus to racial, ethnic or cultural identity are irresponsible and dangerous. CUNY condemns any response to this global health crisis that leads to mistreatment, bias or disrespect of any kind. These are extraordinarily challenging and anxious times, and we are all in this together. As always, any student who experiences discrimination of any kind can contact their campus Student Affairs Office for support. Likewise, faculty or staff can contact their campus Chief Diversity Officer or Office of Human Resources.

Campus and Facility Entry

WE REMEMBER

CUNY profoundly mourns the members of our
community lost to the coronavirus pandemic.

Visit In Memoriam Page

Why get the COVID-19 vaccine?

It’s free
even if you don’t have health insurance.

ilustration ofmaskled Phoebe riches, Baruch college, male student #vaxupcuny Covid-19 vaccination campaign

The vaccines were tested
for safety and effectiveness under strict regulations.

male student #vaxupcuny Covid-19 vaccination campaign

The vaccines are
highly effective 
at preventing COVID-19.

illustration of Baruch student Britney Low male student #vaxupcuny Covid-19 vaccination campaign

Macaulay – Hunter student Hannah Kavanagh hosts a special #VaxUpCUNY episode of her Tea for Three podcast, where four CUNY students and alumni discuss their personal experiences deciding to get the COVID-19 vaccine, overcoming the misconceptions surrounding the shot.

 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts  |  Spotify Podcasts

Listen to Eldridg’s Story in this Podcast

Have questions about the vaccines? Read our VAX 101

VAX 101

About the COVID-19 Vaccine

As new developments are announced, it’s important to understand how safe and accessible the COVID-19 vaccines are. Health officials want you to know:

  • CUNY is giving staff 4 hours of paid time off per vaccine dose appointment.
  • 22% of all New Yorkers are currently eligible because their Body Mass Index (BMI) is above 30. Check your BMI here. 4
  • New York City is providing in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible NYC residents who are fully homebound. Apply here.
  • A COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. None of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the United States contain live COVID-19 particles. 1
  • If you would like to have a baby one day, there is no currently no evidence that antibodies formed from COVID-19 vaccination cause any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta or issues with fertility. 1
  • COVID-19 vaccines were tested in large clinical trials to make sure they meet strict safety standards. 2
  • All people will be eligible for vaccination by the summer. 4
  • It takes two weeks after the second dose to acquire immunity at full protection. 6
  • All three COVID-19 vaccines, manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death. 7
  • You can get the vaccine if you are eligible, regardless of immigration status. Counties, New York State, and the Federal Government will not require proof of citizenship to provide a vaccine for immigrants. 5
  • COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. 1

To access the sources we used and for additional information please visit the below resources. You can also call the New York State COVID-19 hotline at 833-NYS-4-VAX (833-697-4829) for any other questions.

What is the vaccine
process like?

Which COVID-19 vaccine
is the best?

Does the vaccine affect pregnancy or fertility?

#MaskUpCUNY #VaxUpCUNY

Why do you Vax Up?

#MaskUpCUNY & #VaxUpCUNY

What will you enjoy once you are fully vaccinated? Who will you spend time with? Tag @cunyedu on Instagram or @cuny on Twitter and use the hashtag #VaxUpCUNY to share what motivates you to get vaccinated and what you are most excited for! Please note: this form CANNOT be used to verify vaccination. You must use CUNYfirst for vaccination verification.

Send us your pics!

Let’s get vaccinated so we can enjoy a real college experience.

– So I can explore my
campus this fall.

masked Juliet Bonci, queens college, male student #vaxupcuny Covid-19 vaccination campaign
masked student Baruch student Britney Low male student #vaxupcuny Covid-19 vaccination campaign

– So I can make
friends offline.

– So I can see my friends on campus again. 

CUNY staffmember Terrell merit wearing a mask
John jay student aileen luna male student #vaxupcuny Covid-19 vaccination campaign

– So I can actually meet my professors in person.

masked Juliet Bonci, queens college, male student #vaxupcuny Covid-19 vaccination campaign

– So I can explore my
campus this fall.

masked student Baruch student Britney Low male student #vaxupcuny Covid-19 vaccination campaign

– So I can make
friends offline.

CUNY staffmember Terrell merit wearing a mask

– So I can see my friends on campus again. 

John jay student aileen luna male student #vaxupcuny Covid-19 vaccination campaign

– So I can actually meet my professors in person.