HCCS Focus on Campus

To ensure equity in education, HCCS has prioritized efforts to return all students to in-person instruction five days a week for all grades. To ensure continuity of education, HCCS will not offer individual options for hybrid or remote education but will reserve these instructional models as potential interventions as necessary. See Academic Plan below for more details by school.

Our plans for in-person instruction are based on enrolling students in classes up to the established capacity limits of each room, as set forth in the space planning guidelines, to meet physical distancing parameters.

HCCS will resume programming classes by grade or subject matter with a basic practice for K-6 which will maintain largely self-contained classes of approximately 25 students throughout the day and will minimize intermixing of classes. HCCS will program grades 7-8 in travel classes, as was done pre-pandemic. The academic programming for older students in grades 9-12 phases out travel class structures to support the academic needs of the school. We will use cohorting practices when necessary.

Elementary students in Grades K-6 will return to school 5 days a week at the 94th Street campus for full day, in-person instruction.

• Core academic curriculum will be offered in-person to students with adaptations to labs, performances and activities as required in accordance with best practices of K-12 guidance.
• Class size will be established in accordance with room capacity limits.
• Curriculum planning will incorporate instruction in social emotional skill building and nurture well-being and resilience supports.
• The Campus Schools administration and faculty will develop schedules to coordinate hall traffic planning to lunch and recess between the schools to minimize the number students using hallways.
• The Elementary Administration will develop staggered eating schedules to facilitate 6’ distance to the extent possible within designated eating areas on Campus.
• The daily schedule will continue to utilize outdoor opportunities in the 94th Street courtyard, NYC Open Streets Program and public parks [if possible] for student use during recess, classes and other activities as the weather permits.

High School students in Grades 7-12 will return to school 5 days a week at 94th Street campus for full day, in-person instruction.

• Core academic curriculum will be offered in-person to students with adaptations to labs, performances and activities as required by discipline in accordance with best practices of K-12 guidance.
• Class size will be established in accordance with room capacity limits.
• The Campus Schools administration and faculty will develop schedules to coordinate hall traffic planning to lunch and breaks between the schools to minimize the number students using hallways.
• For students in grades 11-12, HCHS remains committed to offering a full range of the elective course offerings. Lab and performance-based classes will modify activities to reflect best practices in accepted health and safety precautions.
• Guidance counseling and college advising programs may use a mix of in-person and virtual formats. Individual counseling sessions may meet in-person while observing room capacity limits and physical distancing.
• During the school day, emergency counseling services will be available.
• Students will be encouraged to utilize outdoor opportunities in the 94th Street courtyard, NYC Open Streets Program, and public parks [if possible] for student use during recess, classes and other activities as the weather permits.
• HCHS will resume the open campus policy for students in grades 7-12 during lunch and free periods.
• HCCS will designate communal eating spaces with appropriate occupancy capacity for eating.
  • Students will be able to get lunch from the DOE School Foods Grab and Go program or bring lunch from home. See FOOD SERVICES section for more information.

HCCS will provide Physical Education in accordance with the New York State adaptation of the Physical Education standards in light of COVID-19, through a combination of classroom, outdoor and remote activities, specific to their grade levels. All aerobic activities will be spaced 6 feet apart in available outdoor spaces or designated indoor spaces.

Beginning on Monday, May 9, Hunter College Campus Schools resumed High School Athletics through the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) following their Health Guidance, with the following adaptations to comply with State and CUNY guidelines:

On August 20, 2021, the PSAL announced that Covid-19 vaccination will be required for all students and staff participating in high-risk Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) sports this year. HCCS will require PSAL participants to be vaccinated to play on HCHS teams.

In addition, these modifications remain in effect:

HCCS shall ensure that for any indoor sport or recreational activity, capacity is limited to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as set by the certificate of occupancy, inclusive of employees and patrons/players/spectators.

HCCS shall reserve adequate space for employees and players to move within the facility or area, considering appropriate social distancing; this may include, but is not limited to, creating one-way lines and/or rearranging traffic flow.

HCCS shall post signage and distance markers denoting space of six feet in all commonly used areas indoors for employees and any areas in which lines are commonly formed or people may congregate (e.g. health screening stations, break rooms, equipment checkout areas, locker rooms, etc.).

HCCS must provide for the cleaning and disinfection of exposed areas in the event of a positive case of COVID-19 of a worker, with such cleaning and disinfection to include, at a minimum, all heavy transit areas and high-touch surfaces.

In the Fall 2021, Hunter College will continue to adopt the new PSAL guidelines modified to include any additional CUNY guidance.

HCCS shall resume both programs and extracurricular activities within school hours and within room occupancy limits.

Elementary parents may, as in previous years, bring their child for supervised care from 8:00-8:20 AM in the courtyard (weather permitting) or in appropriately socially distanced assembly spaces under adult supervision.

The HCES after care program, Hawk’s Nest, will reopen with a mix of online and in-person programming in accordance with room occupancy limits and, weather permitting, utilizing outdoor courtyard activity. The aftercare program will be prepared to pivot to a remote format if required by health conditions.

Students who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness and cannot attend school in-person may use the DOE resource Home Instruction.

Vulnerable students will be carefully programmed to address the students’ health or IESP plan accommodations. Seating and technology support for hearing assisted students will be provided as per CSE requirements. HCCS, through special education liaisons, will work with families to ensure full access to accommodations while minimizing exposure risk for students to the greatest extent possible.

Employees who believe their disability requires an adjustment or modification to their job because of COVID-19, can apply for a reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be evaluated for employees with eligible health concerns.

The Office of School Health (OSH) has its own protocol for treating asthma. Currently, there are no nebulizer or suctioning orders, and should one be received, it will be addressed in consultation with the parent/guardian and all standards for ventilation and PPE will be met. The DOHMH provides fit tests for the school nurse.

A full range of in-person and virtual supports are available for HCCS students through regular services of the School Psychologist, Learning Specialists and Guidance Counselors.

Faculty and staff will attend required training conducted remotely on preparedness for talking to students about experiences and ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 public health emergency. HCCS counseling and K-12 Psychologist will continue to provide ongoing support for the development of coping and resilience skills for students, faculty and staff through the counseling newsletters and ongoing wellness initiatives. Faculty and staff will be provided regular reminders of resources available through EAP.

NYCDOH provides school nursing services to the Campus Schools at the 94th Street campus.

The NYC Office of Food and Nutrition Services will provide both cold Grab and Go and hot meals at no cost to all students on campus according to their program offerings. Further information can be obtained by contacting the appropriate assistant principal for each school.

Meals will be scheduled by class in the ES and by grade in the HS.

HCES will split each class into lunch pods with half of a class eating in the classroom and the other half of the class eating in the designated communal eating area observing 6’ physical distancing. Rotation and supervision of this schedule will be coordinated by the HCES administration.

HCHS will permit eating in the courtyard, weather permitting, and off-campus. HCHS will designate communal eating areas for use during inclement weather that complies with the 6’ physical distancing. Lunch schedules in the high school may be shortened to accommodate rotation of students into designated communal eating areas. Rotation and supervision of this schedule will be coordinated by the HCHS administration.

Students shall wash hands or use hand sanitizing stations before and after eating.

Sharing of food and beverage will be discouraged.

Students will be expected to clear their eating area before leaving the space and the entrance of the next group of students. Eating areas will be cleaned and disinfected prior to the next group of students arriving for meals.

Hunter College Elementary School (K-6) is a nut-free school. For Hunter College High School, the medical status of students with food allergies will be reviewed and measures to protect students – such as signage, oversight, and where possible schedule – will be incorporated.

Students at HCCS access transportation options through the DOE Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) and in some cases, through private bus companies provided through family support. OPT is responsible for providing transit guidance and safety planning from the approved vendor to HCCS which will be made available to participating families.

Consistent with State-issued public transit guidance, the HCCS Director will support protocols and procedures, which include that individuals must wear acceptable face coverings at all times on school buses, and that individuals should maintain appropriate physical distancing, unless they are members of the same household.

HCCS encourages parents/legal guardians to drop off or walk students to school to reduce density on buses or consider other private transportation options. HCCS is working with Hunter College and the ES and HS parent organizations to assist families in their planning as they consider transportation options.

Instructional spaces will be reconfigured with single occupancy furniture to maintain 3 foot distance between students to the extent possible. Instructional space layouts shall include a teaching zone that allows faculty to meet physical distancing guidelines. These parameters have been implemented to determine new student capacities for all instructional spaces.

Communal spaces such as the auditorium, library space, and designated lounges will maintain 3 foot distance between students to the extent possible. Communal space designated for eating and aerobic activities will maintain a 6 foot social distance while students or faculty are maskless. Existing fixed furniture will be fitted with signage indicating non-use where required to maintain 6 foot distance between individuals.

Hunter College Campus Schools shall resume all workplace activities. All faculty and staff offices will be open.

Academic and Administrative Offices

Academic and administrative offices will be open and staffed starting in September.

Meetings and social gatherings, including faculty meetings may be in-person.

All individuals visiting offices during drop-in hours should continue to wear face coverings.

Eating

Unvaccinated individuals may briefly remove their face coverings during meals while maintaining proper physical distancing and may remain at their desks or go to a designated dining space.

Shared food and beverages among employees (e.g., self-serve meals and beverages) is prohibited.

Responsible Parties

The Coronavirus Campus Co-Coordinators, Lisa Siegmann and 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.

PPE and Face Coverings

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.

For the time being, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must:

• Wear a face mask inside all CUNY campuses and office buildings. This includes while working in a non-enclosed space such as a cubicle or other open seating, regardless of physical distance from others.
• Wear a mask outdoors on campus when unable to maintain physical distance from others.

The only exceptions to wearing a mask inside are:

• If a fully vaccinated person is alone in an enclosed space such as an office, conference room, or dorm room.
• In a classroom, if a vaccinated professor is teaching a class and is able to keep social distance from everyone else in the class, he or she may choose not to wear a mask.
• Briefly while eating or drinking, provided social distancing is maintained.

Anyone who is not fully vaccinated must wear a mask indoors and outdoors at all times while on campus, including in enclosed spaces, except briefly when eating or drinking (in which case they must maintain strict social distancing from other individuals).

We continue to work closely with State and City health officials to monitor the impact of the Delta and other variants on COVID-19 transmission rates and will modify this temporary mask mandate and other guidance as needed.

HCCS shall supply all employees and students with an acceptable face covering, at no-cost to the individual, and have an adequate supply of coverings in case of need for replacement.

Hunter Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for the acquisition, monitoring, and distribution of all personal protective equipment (PPE). Inventory will be tracked weekly and quotes will be obtained from multiple vendors in the case that the State Vendors cannot fulfill requested orders. If there is a supply chain issue, Hunter will provide single source justification.

Acceptable face coverings, as defined by the NYDOH, include but are not limited to cloth (e.g. Homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana) and surgical masks. However, cloth disposable or homemade face coverings are not acceptable for workplace activities that typically require a higher degree of protection for PPE due to the nature of the work (e.g. if working with flammable materials or chemicals, ensure face coverings are flame resistant). For those activities, N95 respirators or other PPE used under existing industry standards should continue to be used, as is defined in accordance with OSHA Standards.

Face coverings must be cleaned or replaced after use and may not be shared. Consult CDC guidance for additional information on cloth face coverings and other types of PPE as well as instructions on use and cleaning.

HCCS will allow their employees and essential visitors to use their own acceptable face coverings but does not require their employees and essential visitors to supply their own face coverings. In the case where it is necessary for employees or essential visitors to wear more protective PPE due to the nature of the work, Hunter College will supply it and employees and essential visitors will be required to use it. Hunter College will comply with all applicable OSHA standards, and expect vendors, contractors, and third-party employers doing work at Hunter to do so as well.

Students will be allowed to briefly remove their face coverings during meals while maintaining proper physical distancing. At the teacher’s discretion and supervision, students may be allowed face covering breaks when they can socially distance.

A full-length face shield is an acceptable alternative to a mask should a parent/guardian provide documentation of their student’s diagnosed contraindication to a face mask by an appropriate health professional.

HCCS has considered the use of alternative face coverings (i.e. transparent around the mouth) and will use them in support of pedagogical goals.

Physical Distancing

Vaccinated Individuals will not be required to physically distance.

As the majority of High School students are expected to be vaccinated by Fall 2021, physical distancing will not be a required safety measure for classroom and educational settings.

Unvaccinated employees will be required to maintain 6’ physical distance at all times. It is the responsibility of the unvaccinated individual to maintain this distance and to notify their supervisor if they are unable to self-administer the distancing requirement.

Because of the importance of in-person learning, schools should implement physical distancing to the extent possible within their structures but should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement.

Based on studies from 2020-2021 school year, CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, combined with indoor mask wearing to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully reopen while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies. Mask use by all students, teachers, staff and visitors is particularly important when physical distance cannot be maintained.

Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection

HCCS will adhere to and promote hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection guidance set forth by NYDOH and the CDC. HCCS will train all students, faculty, and staff on proper hand and respiratory hygiene. HCCS 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.

HCCS custodial staff will be providing cleaning and disinfection services to all classrooms, restrooms, cafeterias, libraries, and public spaces on a regular schedule. 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 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. Designated individuals shall be responsible for wiping down surfaces and equipment daily. We encourage each staff member to give frequent attention to decontaminating high touch surfaces (desks, furniture, equipment and tools, cabinet handles, etc.). It is recommended that students wipe down all shared equipment both before and after use.

Hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or use of hand sanitizer immediately upon arrival is mandatory for everyone and frequent hand-washing 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 fountain stations will be reconfigured to bottle refilling stations. Students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to bring their own water bottles or use disposable cups.

Students, faculty, and staff will return for 100% in-person school operations.

HCCS may also be occupied by authorized Hunter College personnel, visitors and/or approved rental clients as capacity permits.

Occupants in such spaces will be permitted to use all public spaces, such as building entry/exit, lobby, corridors, and restrooms, and are subject to all requirements of the HCCS safety plan when in these areas.

When necessary to avoid congestion and overlap with HCCS students and staff, Hunter College users shall enter and exit at staggered times. Occupants in such spaces shall be subject to all requirements of the Hunter College safety plan, including the protocols for screening.

Occupants entering the HCCS building shall enter through the designated primary entrance at 94th Street. Physical distancing shall be maintained at the entry and lobby area, as indicated by signage.

To minimize contact, occupants should physically distance when possible, following signage in each building for designated paths of travel, cuing locations, and using the elevator.

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.

Invited guests may come to campus within capacity guidelines and following all the general guidelines. Vendors and essential visitors are allowed by appointment only to conduct essential repairs or by administratively approved request. Public Safety will be responsible for enforcing the code of conduct on campus and maintaining a log of those essential visitors expected to enter the building.

Shipping and receiving is operational and arrangements can be made for pick-up and delivery of necessary supplies, limiting contact to the extent possible.

A visitor to HCCS is someone who is not a CUNY student, faculty or staff member. Examples of visitors include, but are not limited to:

• vendors and other individuals coming to campus to perform activities related to a contract with or in support of the University;
• employees of related entities of CUNY including without limitation auxiliary enterprise corporations, colleges associations, and child care centers;
• unpaid college interns;
• community members and other individuals coming to a campus to use University facilities such as pools and gyms, or to attend activities on campus; and
• family members or friends of CUNY students, faculty, or staff.

Rules for Visitors

Every visitor to HCCS, whether accessing indoor or outdoor spaces, must provide proof to CUNY that they (i) are fully vaccinated or (ii) have had a negative COVID-19 molecular (PCR) test performed by an accredited lab no more than 7 days prior to the visit. “Fully vaccinated” means:

• Two weeks after a second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines; or
• Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine; or
• At the time specified in either the FDA licensure or World Health Organization approval, after the final administration of any other vaccines

Visitors are also required to comply with all other HCCS/CUNY policies and codes of conduct, as well as government and/or campus-specific rules and protocols, applicable to individuals on campus that are intended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including by way of example:

• any masking and social distancing requirements; and
• complying with any applicable federal, state or local quarantine rules.

Before coming to HCCS, visitors are encouraged to consult the HCCS and CUNY websites to review the most current access rules and protocols.

Visitors will be allowed on campus by appointment or RSVP only and should send a request for visitor access to the Visitor’s Center at least 48 hours prior to the appointment date. Visitors will then receive an email with a link to upload their 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 pass to enter campus that they must show at the Visitors Center.

Exception for Short Visits with No Close Contact

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 HCCS staff unless the visitor expects during that time to be less than 6 feet distant of another person for a total of 15 minutes of more.

Visitor Policy Grid: Under 12 Population

All interior spaces at the 94th Street campus have been thoroughly cleaned. Existing light fixtures have been opened, cleaned and dusted. All existing ventilation grilles have been cleaned. All floor finishes have been stripped and a polymer floor finish has been applied and all carpets have been extracted. All furniture and desks were cleaned.

Hunter Facilities Operations has modified building ventilation systems to maximize the use of outside air and reduce the amount of recirculated air to the extent that we can maintain reasonable building comfort levels. The College will employ enhanced particulate filtering, where possible, in all classrooms and communal spaces. The College will run building ventilation 24 hours per day to increase airflow wherever possible.

Hunter College Facilities shall maximize the use of outside air and reduce the amount of recirculated air to the extent that is reasonable.

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, enhanced particulate filtration system (MERV-13 Filter) has been installed.

HCCS will run mechanical ventilation, where located, 24 hours per day to increase airflow wherever possible, weather permitting.

Vaccination Policies & Encouragement

Students, faculty, staff and visitors planning to come to HCCS for any reason or length of time will be required to be fully vaccinated or follow the testing protocol described below.

Hunter College is participating in the White House COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge and is committed to taking three key actions to help get our campus community vaccinated: engaging every student, faculty, and staff member; organizing our college communities; and delivering vaccine access for all. Some of these efforts include:

• HCCS strongly encourages all eligible members of the community to get vaccinated as a key component for accelerating the full return to K-12 classes and activities. The school will assist students, families and employees through its partnership with H+H/Metropolitan Hospital’s COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination clinics.
• Incentivizing Vaccination through giveaways. For example, every Public Safety Officer who is vaccinated receives a Hunter sweatshirt.
• Promoting #VaxUpCUNY through Hunter’s Social Media Channels and communication to faculty, staff, and students.
• Coordinating with CUNY to offer vaccination on campus in the Fall Semester.
• Enclosing information about the vaccine and how to get vaccinated with employee paystubs.

Health Screening

Before sending a child to school, families are expected to check the student’s temperature and monitor for illness. If any individual presents a temperature of greater than 100ºF or is ill, the student should stay home.

HCCS is currently communicating all federal and state travel advisories and will keep our community updated with the latest information on mandatory quarantines.

The Campus Coronavirus Liaison will provide a daily report to the SVC for Institutional Affairs.

The HCCS School Nurse or qualified screener may perform on-site screening. Screeners will be provided with PPE including, at minimum, an acceptable face covering or mask and disposable gloves.

Testing Protocols Responsibility

When practicable, HCCS will provide weekly, mandatory COVID-19 saliva testing for all unvaccinated K-12 students.

All unvaccinated faculty and staff must be tested weekly at a CUNY site.

Unvaccinated visitors will need to provide proof of a valid negative PCR COVID test taken within 7 days prior to their visit. Visitors will need to upload test results at least 48 hours prior to their visit.

Contact Tracing

The Coronavirus Campus Liaison will notify the NYCDOH Track and Trace Program immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Coronavirus Campus Liaison will also notify the SVC for Institutional Affairs.

In the case of an individual testing positive, Hunter College has developed and will maintain plans to support local health departments in tracing all contacts of the individual, in accordance with the protocols, training, and tools provided through the NYCDOH Track and Trace Program. The local health department must be notified of all individuals on campus who meet the definition of a close contact, and had contact with an infected person on campus dating back to 48 hours before the infected individual experienced COVID-19 symptoms or submitted a specimen for testing, whichever is earlier.

Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state law and regulations. Hunter College will cooperate with all state and local health department contact tracing. All positive tests are also reported to the NYS COVID dashboard. Individuals who have come into close contact with a person with COVID-19 will be alerted via tracing, tracking or other mechanism, and are required to self-report to their employer at the time of alert and shall follow the protocol referenced above.

Travel

Individuals who travel internationally or in the United States, except for New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont or Pennsylvania:

• If VACCINATED: Take a COVID test within 3-5 days of your return.
• If UNVACCINATED: Take a COVID test within 3-5 days of return. In addition, quarantine for 7 days even if the test is negative.

School Health Offices

Any student who is feeling sick during the school day should be directed to the school health office and receive on-site screening of their symptoms. School health offices will be provided with appropriate PPE to care for symptomatic individuals.

Isolation

Students presenting with COVID-19 symptoms shall immediately be separated from other students and supervised in the isolation room opposite the school nurse’s office until their parent/legal guardian or emergency contact can retrieve them from school. Faculty or staff who develop 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.

Collection

Parents or legal guardians will be notified to pick up a student presenting with symptoms and receive instructions that the student must be seen by a health care provider.

Quarantine/Return to School

HCCS has established protocols and procedures for when individuals who are exposed to an infected individual are required to quarantine.

HCCS will no longer automatically close an entire classroom when there is a positive student case in that class.

K-12 students who are wearing face coverings and have maintained at least 3 feet of distance in a classroom from a student who tests positive will not be considered close contacts and will not have to quarantine.

A close contact is:

• Any student within three feet of a student with COVID-19 in the classroom regardless of wearing a face covering.
• Any student who was within six feet of student with COVID-19 when either student was unmasked.
• Any student or adult who was within six feet of an adult with COVID-19 for more than ten minutes regardless of wearing a face covering.

Length of quarantine:

• Fully vaccinated students identified as close contacts do not have to quarantine provided they remain symptom-free, but should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure.
• Unvaccinated students identified as close contacts must quarantine for 10 days. These students may test out of quarantine and return to school early on Day 8 if they are symptom-free and take a lab-confirmed COVID-19 test on Day 5 (or later) of quarantine and the test is negative. Proof of the negative COVID-19 test must be submitted to the school.

Infected Individuals

In general, an individual should isolate for 10 days after a positive test. A person who tests positive for COVID-19 will isolate until they are no longer symptomatic and they can provide a negative PCR test or medical clearance to return.

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 the State and local health departments about the case if test results are positive for COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Campus Liaison shall consult with the NYCDOH regarding protocols and policies for employees seeking to return to work after a suspected or confirmed on-site case of COVID-19 or after an employee has had on-site close contact with a person with COVID-19.

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

HCCS will communicate with students, parents/legal guardians, 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, training, 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 physical distancing, PPE, personal hygiene, and safe practices. Additional public service announcements will be posted on digital screens throughout the campus and via existing PA systems.

The School’s Focus on Campus Plan shall be conspicuously posted at the school at the Public Safety desk and on the school’s website for faculty, staff, students, and parents/legal guardians to access.

All public and private (both secular and non-secular elementary including pre-kindergarten), middle and high schools as well as Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) charter schools and private schools are required to report to the COVID-19 Report Card each operational day.

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, led by the Director’s email communication with faculty, parents/guardians, 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 and HCCS SMS systems to send messages to all registered users at their preferred mobile and/or email addresses. Returning and new employees and students will be reminded to update their contact information. Alerts and Updates to the Focus on Campus Plan will be featured in a high-profile banner on every page of the Hunter College website with links to more details, including timely messages, necessary information and resources, from the Director to faculty, students, parents/guardians, and staff. Hunter staff will share information with respective essential visitors and service providers.

Should any member of the HCCS 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 and local health authorities and will work in close communication to understand what community and local metrics should trigger closure and shutdown.

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.

Closure Triggers

While HCCS’s intention is to move forward and bring more activity back to campus over time, HCCS will also be prepared to reverse the reopening if the situation dictates. In collaboration with Hunter College and CUNY, HCCS will monitor a range of internal and external criteria when assessing whether a ramp down or closure of campuses is required.

External monitoring criteria will include:

• Federal, New York State, and New York City regulatory guidelines and mandates;
• Infection/health system status at the local, state, regional and nation-wide level;
• Status of resources and infrastructure to combat contagion including PPE, health system capacity, testing and tracing;
• Compliance of greater public with COVID-19 protocols (e.g., group gatherings, social distancing); and
• Reclosing status of neighboring schools.

Internal monitoring criteria will include:

• Spread of infection on campus via data reported by Campus Coronavirus Liaisons – metrics on current caseload, new flu-like symptoms, spread;
• Status of resources and infrastructure to combat contagion on campus, including school health system capacity, PPE resources, Testing & Tracing resources; and
• Campus internal monitoring will be informed by the requirement for students to self-diagnose/report symptoms and faculty/staff to complete the daily screening questionnaire.

HCCS will monitor health conditions using the criteria above and look for warning signs that infection may be increasing.

HCCS will reference the above CDC decision tree and develop the following closure and ramp down plans.

With a confirmed COVID-19 case on campus, the campus will consider a short suspension of areas in which the positive occupant was present along with select building and facility closure to clean and disinfect. HCCS will notify Human Resources who will also contact the NYS Contact Tracer Initiative in consultation with local/State officials.

Ramp-down activities will align with the level of community spread with higher levels requiring increased cleaning and/or potential closure.

Extended closure will be determined based on substantial community spread, defined by CDC as large scale community transmission, healthcare staffing significantly impacted, and multiple cases within communal settings.

HCCS will only close buildings/areas within its particular campus if the suspected exposure or positive findings that occur reflect confidence in a low level of risk to the wider campus community to allow for deep-cleaning and disinfection of buildings, premises or grounds. This will be coupled with notifications to potentially impacted students, faculty and staff, and the ramp down measures being applied including COVID testing referrals to City testing sites and tracing of members of the campus community, moving classes to remote learning, asking employees to work remotely, for the short duration of such limited closures.

Should there be a return of substantial community transmission, the campus community–students, faculty and staff–shall act as if they have been exposed: staying home and monitoring for symptoms. This would require a ramp down or shutdown of campus buildings to ensure HCCS does its part to protect the most vulnerable members of the community. Such decisions will be made in consultation with Hunter/CUNY and local/State officials.

The ramp down response to the local and community health situation within the campus, a community or the City as a whole, will be made following the governance process set out in Part 1, Section B, of the CUNY Guidelines for Safe Campus Reopening. Final decisions on shutting down particular buildings/areas within campuses, individual campuses, or multiple campuses, as appropriate, will be made by CUNY in consultation with local/State authorities.

The reopening plan for the CUNY campuses proposes five stages, moving from a soft reopening to full operations as described in the Phasing Section of the CUNY Guidelines for Safe Campus Reopening.

If closure is necessary, HCCS will be ready to deploy distance learning modalities with as few employees on campus as possible, to instruct only those who have been designated as essential staff to report to work, and to transition to distance working for all non-essential staff. This will include readiness to deploy targeted distance learning modalities if necessary due to targeted shutdowns of particular buildings/areas impacted by COVID-19.

HCCS will have effective approval processes to enable staff to request supervisor approval for telecommuting, in accordance with campus telecommuting policies. HCCS supervisors will maintain structures and channels that will enable employees to do their jobs remotely, and to ensure that all hardware and software is fully functional. Supervisors will implement remote check-in plans, and all employees will receive details about their work schedules and other expectations of job performance for the duration of the arrangement.

Essential employees have remained on campus throughout the NYS Pause and NY Forward reopening phases. These employees have been provided with PPE specific to their line of work. Such determinations have been made by Hunter’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety under the applicable State, City, and CUNY guidance. All employees receiving masks and gloves have been trained in donning and doffing and communication has been given by their supervisors to follow physical distancing guidelines and observe hygiene, cleaning, and disinfecting protocols. Human Resources has managed notification and contact tracing for anyone reporting suspicion of COVID-19 exposure or a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. The College has followed protocols for shutting down the building, or portions of the building as needed, for deep cleaning and safe reopening.

Essential workers will receive equitable treatment in the protections afforded to faculty, staff, and students.