Focus on Campus

The Plan lays out a staged approach to returning activities to campus, beginning in July 2020 and continuing through until the college is able to resume all campus activities at full capacity.

STAGE 0: RESEARCH RESTART (JULY 10, 2020)
STAGE 1: FOCUS ON FALL PREPARATION (SUMMER 2020)
STAGE 2: FOCUS ON FALL RESTART (FALL 2020)
STAGE 3: INCREASING OR ADDING HIGHER RISK ACTIVITIES (SPRING 2020)
STAGE 4: FOCUS ON CAMPUS, FULL REOPENING (FALL 2021)

During this stage the college will return the full complement of on-campus activities with safety protocols remaining in place.

The plan set forward is in compliance with all NYS and CUNY guidance, including the University’s COVID-19 vaccination policy. Should this guidance change, Hunter College will adjust the capacity of approved activities, modify additional higher-risk activities, and/or implement additional safety precautions, as needed.

Decisions to modify services and capacities on campus will be initiated by the administration in consultation with the Campus Reopening Committee, with CUNY approvals and governmental approvals when required.

Responsible Parties

The Coronavirus Campus Coordinator, Lori Mazor, shall be responsible for developing the plan, affirming to having read and adhere to this guidance, and meeting the standards set forth therein. The Coronavirus Campus Liaison, Galia Galansky, shall be responsible for all monitoring activities.

Masks

The Coronavirus Campus Coordinator must maintain protocols and procedures for students, faculty, staff, and other individuals to ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to protect against the transmission of the COVID-19 virus when on school grounds and in school facilities.

Due to the low levels of COVID-19 in New York City, the CDC no longer recommends and New York State no longer has a universal indoor mask mandate. CUNY has therefore lifted its temporary mask mandate.

Anyone who would like to continue wearing masks in any setting is welcome to do so at any time. Masks will continue to be available on campus and offices.

While the CDC is not requiring people to wear a mask in communities that have low or medium COVID-19 levels, faculty, staff and students who are still not vaccinated, or those who have been or will be granted a medical exemption or religious exception, are urged to continue to wear a mask. Mask requirements associated with isolation and quarantine as referenced later in these guidelines remain in effect.

Those who choose to wear a mask should continue to follow CDC guidance on acceptable face coverings.

Note, campuses may still require employees to wear protective PPE masks due to the nature of their work. Employers must comply with all applicable OSHA standards.

Physical Distancing

Vaccinated Individuals will not be required to physically distance.

Unvaccinated Individuals will be required to maintain 6’-0” physical distance at all times. It is the responsibility of the unvaccinated individual to maintain this distance and to notify their supervisor/instructor if they are unable to self-administer the distancing requirement. If the supervisor/instructor is unable to make the necessary modifications within the work or instructional environment, they should notify the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator to seek an alternative measures, which may include the addition of physical barriers and/or supplemental PPE.

Any physical barriers will be installed between individuals that do not adversely affect air flow, heating, cooling or ventilation, or otherwise present a health or safety risk; or individuals will be supplied with supplemental PPE. If put in place, physical barriers must be put in place in accordance with United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, and May include strip curtains, cubicle walls, plexiglass or similar materials, or other impermeable divider or partition.

Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection

Hunter College will adhere to and promote hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection guidance set forth by New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hunter College will maintain logs that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection, as well as identifying cleaning and disinfection frequency for each facility and area type and assign responsibility to staff.

Hunter Custodial Staff will be providing cleaning and disinfection services to all general-purpose instructional spaces, gathering spaces, and public spaces on a regular scheduled frequency. Public spaces include, but are not limited to, the entry, exit, stairs, elevators, restrooms, corridors, and shared public spaces.

Cleaning services include the removal of trash, sweeping, dusting, and mopping. This will be completed at least once per day in the public spaces.

Disinfection services include the disinfection of high touch surfaces in public spaces using an EPA approved quaternary cleaner. Services are scheduled multiple times per day up to once an hour in high traffic areas, such as elevators and entrances.

Restrooms will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected every 90 minutes. All high touch surfaces, including sinks, faucets, stall handles, toilet bowl seats and door handles will be sprayed with EPA approved quaternary cleaner.

Custodial assistants and custodial supervisors will log the completion of cleaning and disinfection services. The administrative superintendent responsible for custodial services will review and confirm the accuracy of the log daily. The log will be maintained by Facilities.

Disinfecting wipes or spray disinfectant and paper towels will be provided to all classroom, laboratory and shared spaces.

Frequent Hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds upon arrival and during the day is strongly encouraged to reduce contact transmission.

Hand sanitizer dispensers will be installed in public areas and in areas deemed to be high touch, such as elevators and door handles. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use hand sanitizing stations before and after using high-touch facilities.

Water fountains will not be in use. Bottle refilling stations will be available in some locations; students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to bring their own water bottles.

In the event an individual is confirmed to have COVID-19, the COVID liaison will notify the COVID Coordinator, who will dispatch Public Safety, Facilities, and Environmental Health and Safety. Public Safety will secure their space and Facilities, in consultation with EHS, will arrange disinfection. Upon completion of disinfection, Facilities will notify Public Safety and Human Resources that the area has been disinfected and prepared for occupancy.

The hours of operation for Hunter College will be posted prominently and stated on the website.

Hunter will initially adopt a staggered approach for onsite presence beginning August 16, 2021. Employees are expected to come to the campus based on the needs of the operation.

Corridors shall be kept clean, orderly, and clear in compliance with FDNY and NY State law. Only non-flammable materials can be stored in hallways in designated areas. Passageways must be kept totally clear at all times, as not to obstruct emergency personnel and persons evacuating the building. Additionally, corridors shall be kept clear so custodial staff are able to clean, sanitize, and disinfect the floors on a regular basis.

Visitors, including vendors, essential visitors, and invited guests are allowed by appointment or RSVP only, except for in Art Galleries. Essential visitors include all approved licensees of the space for the duration of their lease term. Request for vendor services or visitors should be sent to the Visitor’s Center. Anyone entering the college campus must show proof of vaccination or a valid negative COVID test. Public Safety will be responsible for informing all visitors of the code of conduct on campus, for maintaining a log of essential visitors expected to enter the site, and for coordinating screening.

Request for vendor services or visitors should be sent to the Visitor’s Center (visitors.center@hunter.cuny.edu) at least 48 hours prior to arriving on campus. Please provide names and email addresses of each visitor. Visitors will receive an email with a link to upload proof of vaccination or a valid negative PCR COVID test taken within 7-days prior to their visit Upon approval, visitors will receive an email or text message providing a GreenPass to enter the campus.

Visitors who are on campus for 30 minutes or less per visit do not have to comply with any COVID-19 vaccination or surveillance testing requirements applicable to CUNY staff unless the visitor expects during that time to be less than 6 feet distant of another person for a total of 15 minutes or more.

Visitors under the age of 5 are subject to policy in general guidelines.

Shipping and receiving is operational and arrangements can be made for pick-up and delivery of necessary supplies.

Hunter has begun preparations to safely reopen facilities and grounds, such as cleaning and disinfection, and restarting building ventilation, water systems, and other key facilities components. Facilities has ordered materials and supplies in preparation for planned capacity.

Hunter College Facilities shall increase ventilation, either via open windows or mechanical means, to maximize the use of outside air and reduce the amount of recirculated air to the extent that reasonable building comfort levels and safe operating systems can be maintained.

In high-occupancy, high-frequency used spaces, such as classrooms and shared offices:

Where windows are the means for introducing outside air, windows should be opened when the room is in use.

Where mechanical ventilation is the means for introducing outside air, windows should remain closed and one of the following enhanced particulate filtration systems should be installed:

• MERV-13 Filters; or
• Portable High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) Air Filtration Devices

For rooms with portable filtration devices, please note that these produce ambient noise. Filtration devices will be set by Facilities and should not be removed, adjusted, or turned off by unauthorized persons.

The College will allow open windows during operating hours and run mechanical ventilation and portable filtration devices, where located, 24 hours per day to increase airflow wherever possible, weather permitting.

Unvaccinated individuals must maintain appropriate physical distancing, unless they are members of the same household.

World Cup Café will resume operations at the Library Café, West Lobby, Brookdale, and other pop-up locations around the campus.

The Faculty Dining Hall will be available for vaccinated individuals only.

Shared food and beverage (e.g. self-serve meals and beverages) is prohibited.

The cafeterias, designated lounges, and outdoor spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for dining.

Hunter College Custodial staff will be cleaning dining spaces regularly. Sanitizing wipes and/or disinfectant spray will be available for patrons to wipe surfaces and equipment before and after use.

Students returning to campus in the spring for in-person and hybrid courses, or any other on-campus activities will be required to submit proof of vaccination, unless a religious or medical exemption has been approved. Students must upload proof of being fully-vaccinated prior to the start of classes for the Spring term. A person is considered fully vaccinated:

• Two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as Pfizer or Moderna, or;
• Two weeks after a single dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson (J&J),or;
• At the time specified in either in the FDA licensure or World Health Organization (WHO) approval, after the final vaccination of any other vaccines.

Additionally, students are required to receive vaccine boosters, once eligible. Students who were eligible for a booster as of January 28, must upload proof of receiving it no later than March 1. Those who become eligible after January 28 will have 30 days after they become eligible to get the booster. Students who miss their deadlines won’t be able to register for summer or fall classes until they upload their proof.

Booster Eligibility:

• Those 18 and older are eligible for a booster shot at 5 months after the completion of two dose regimen of Pfizer, 5 months after the completion of two dose regimen of Moderna or 2 months after the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) shot. The Pfizer or Moderna booster is preferred in most situations.
• Those 12-17 year olds who initially received the Pfizer two dose regimen are eligible for a Pfizer booster 5 months after completing the regimen.
• Those 12 and older 5 months after the completion of a WHO-approved vaccine that is not authorized by the FDA, or 5 months after completion of a mix and match series of WHO-approved and FDA approved/authorized vaccines.

In compliance with a public policy directive issued by Governor Hochul on December 31, all full- and part-time faculty, all non-teaching instructional staff (which includes, among others, NTAs, CLTs and those in the HEO series), and personnel in the Executive Compensation Plan, are required to be fully vaccinated (two dose Pfizer or Moderna regimen, or 1 dose J&J) in order to remain employed by the University, except if a medical exemption, religious exception or reasonable accommodation has been granted.

Proof of vaccination must be uploaded into CUNYfirst by no later than April 1, 2022. Regardless of mandate, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and receive vaccine boosters, once eligible.

Testing

CUNY is expanding testing for the safety and convenience of the CUNY community, creating a robust testing program using various testing models, some new and some expansions of existing efforts.

• Weekly testing will continue for those who are unvaccinated and expand to cover student athletes and students in residence halls, regardless of vaccination status.
• Overall random testing will increase to 20% of the on-campus population. Participation in the random surveillance testing is mandatory and failure to participate will result in the removal of the individual’s Cleared4 access pass to CUNY spaces.

Please monitor your email, including your spam folder, for notifications from Cleared4. Please note: if you are selected for random testing, you will need to be tested within the week you receive the email.

More information on CUNY testing locations and hours can be found here.

If you test positive at a CUNY site, our Coronavirus Lisaison will be notified and will be in touch with instructions. If you test positive at a non-CUNY site, please write an email to COVIDhub@hunter.cuny.edu and you will be contacted with guidance about isolation protocols.

It is important to note that if you have tested positive within the past 90 days, you will be exempt from the random testing requirement. Similarly, if you do not plan to be on campus this semester for any reason, you may be exempt. Please contact COVIDhub@hunter.cuny.edu for more information.

Campus Access

Vaccinated individuals who wish to be waived from the weekly mandatory COVID testing program may voluntarily upload proof of vaccination to CUNYFirst. Vaccinated individuals will still need to participate in the random testing program. Accepted vaccination proof will activate ID card for expedited entry to campus, allowing individuals to enter through any available building entrance. Valid negative test results from the CUNY mandatory testing program will activate ID cards for 7 days.  ID Cards will be deactivated for anyone who tests positive for COVID and will be reinstated once the individual has been cleared to return to campus.

Hunter will monitor NYS COVID-19 infection rate metrics and local testing metrics that will determine the need to scale back or shut down campus operations. The college is prepared to use these metrics to detect early warnings of an infection surge and has a shutdown plan in place to respond rapidly, if necessary, following the Reclosing Protocols: CUNY’s Guide for Safely Closing On-Campus Operations.

CUNY will continue to monitor campus infection rates. CUNY Central Office will consult with campus leadership to determine the best course of action for scaling back campus activity. Final decisions on shutting down particular buildings/areas within campuses, individual campuses, or multiple campuses, as appropriate, will be made by the Chancellery/COO’s Office in consultation with local/State authorities.

In addition, CUNY and campuses will continue to monitor community spread and adhere to CDC guidance in determining any additional safety protocols required for safe, in-person operations.

Contact tracing with students, faculty, and staff associated with the campus should be used as a crucial strategy to reduce further transmission once a case is identified. CUNY will continue to aid in the identification of exposures, and notify close contacts, as appropriate, of exposure as soon as possible after being notified that someone in the campus has tested positive or been diagnosed with COVID-19.

CDC Guidance that CUNY and Campuses will continue to follow:

• Campuses should ensure timely reporting of COVID-19 cases to the NYC and NYS to aid in any investigations, and plan to provide information and records to aid in the identification of exposures.
• As soon as possible after they are notified that someone has tested positive for or been diagnosed with COVID19, campuses should notify close contacts of exposure, in accordance with applicable privacy and other laws. Campuses may prioritize their case investigation and contact tracing per the CDC and NYS guidance below.
• Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms should isolate and notify their close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and refer close contacts to the state or local health department website to learn about the steps they should take because of the exposure.

New York State is following the CDC’s case investigation and contact tracing guidance during this winter surge in COVID-19 cases. The CDC’s guidance emphasizes case investigations focus on those who tested positive most recently (last 6 days) and contact tracing focuses on household contacts and sensitive settings, such as high density workplaces, events or other settings with potential for extensive transmission.

Symptomatic Individuals

Students, Faculty or Staff who have symptoms prior to arriving on campus should stay home. Anyone who develops symptoms while on premises will be directed to leave the premises safely and seek appropriate healthcare. Such individuals will be directed to the school’s website for information on healthcare and testing resources.

Return to In-Person Activities

Hunter College has established protocols and procedures following NYSDOH guidelines when people screening positive for COVID-19 symptoms can return to the in-person learning environment. This return to school protocol shall include, at minimum, documentation from a health care provider following evaluation, negative COVID-19 diagnostic test result, and symptom resolution, if COVID-19 positive, release from isolation. Hunter College shall refer to the DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure” regarding protocols and policies for faculty or staff seeking to return to work after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the faculty or staff member had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19. See Infected Individuals below for details.

Infected Individuals

The Coronavirus Campus Liaison will remain the central point of contact responsible for identifying all close contacts on campus. The Coronavirus Campus Liaison shall be prepared to receive notifications from individuals of positive cases and communicate with the Office of Public Safety, Facilities and EHS, to initiate the respective cleaning and disinfection procedures.

Should an individual who has been on campus test positive for COVID-19, they should notify the Coronavirus Campus Liaison. The Coronavirus Campus Liaison must immediately notify CUNY and local health departments about the case if test results are positive for COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Campus Liaison shall consult with the NYC Department of Health regarding protocols and policies for employees seeking to return to work after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the employee has had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and follows them explicitly.

The return to campus protocol will include at minimum documentation from a healthcare provider evaluation, negative COVID-19 testing, symptom resolution, or if COVID-19 positive, release from isolation.

Quarantine and Isolation

Hunter follows the CDC guidance on isolation and quarantine.

All individuals should follow the CDC domestic travel recommendations and international travel recommendations.

Hunter College will communicate with students, faculty and staff through email and the COVID-19 website. Updates will be posted regularly, and all are encouraged to visit the website to access planning and health and safety management resources.

A robust signage program has been developed for students, faculty, staff and visitors to communicate instructions on-site for safe practices. Additional public service announcements will be posted on digital screens throughout the campus and via existing PA systems.

Students shall be informed of the Covid-19 Student Conduct Protocol “For Students” section, which states:

The City University of New York takes the well-being and safety of our students, faculty and staff very seriously. During the pandemic, we all have an obligation to behave in a responsible manner per the guidance approved in your campus’ re-opening plan to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Responsible behavior extends to your off-campus and personal lives, which can affect your ability to transmit the virus on campus.

Article XV of the CUNY bylaws requires that each student obey policies, regulations, and orders of the University/College. Students are reminded that the Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public order pursuant to article 129a of the education law (“Henderson Rules”) prohibits:

• behaviors that recklessly or intentionally endangers the health of others
• behavior that interferes with the institution’s educational processes
• failure to comply with the direction of a University official

The University is committed to adhering fully to current and future directives about social encounters from the federal, state and local public health officials. Any student found in violation of these directives may be subject to discipline under article XV of the CUNY bylaws.

Similarly, employees are expected to follow applicable health and safety protocols as described above. Employees who are found to consistently violate the protocols may be subject to discipline.

The Safety Plan is available on the college’s Focus on Campus website.

While every effort will be made to keep the campus safe, Hunter College is prepared to act and communicate quickly in the event of large-spread community contagion that necessitates a rapid shutdown of the campus.

All communications will happen in close coordination with CUNY and state and local agencies and led by the President’s direct email communication with faculty, students and staff informing the details of the shutdown and impact to instructional plans and building operations.

In the case of an emergency, Hunter would trigger the CUNY Alert system to send a message to all registered users at their preferred mobile and/or email address. Returning and new employees and students will be reminded to update their CUNY Alert contact information. CUNY Alerts and Updates to Focus on Fall Plan will be features in a high-profile banner on every page of the Hunter College website with links to more details, including timely messages from President Raab to faculty, students and staff and necessary information and resources. Hunter staff will share information with respective essential visitors and service providers.

Hunter would supplement these communications with the Hunter Navigate system that sends text messages to students. Students in Residence will receive further instructions from the Residence Hall Staff.

Should any member of the Hunter community, including vendors and essential visitors, fail to receive any outreach and arrive on campus, public safety officers will guide them to the safest departure possible.

Operational Activity

Hunter College will follow thresholds set by CUNY, NYSDOH, and the CDC and will work in close communication to understand what community and local metrics trigger closure and shutdown. Detailed shutdown procedures are included in each of the Restart Plans.