Health and Safety Protocols

We continue to adjust our protocols as new recommendations and guidelines become available from local, state, and federal agencies. As always, we will rely on the advice and guidance of Chief Medical Officer Brian Harper, M.D., M.P.H., and our Real Estate and Environmental Health & Safety Departments to work together to ensure consistent, appropriate actions and responses that continually reinforce the safety and health of everyone on our campuses while providing an outstanding learning and teaching experience.

LEAD Plan

New York Tech’s reopening four‐point LEAD plan, which supports all required health protocols, has been consistently and frequently communicated to the university community. The strategies in the LEAD plan, which launched in fall 2020, are being continually implemented and adjusted as necessary:

L refers to enhanced access layout requirements for campus entry, including screening and daily health questionnaires, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; layouts for classrooms, public areas, and office spaces to meet physical distancing guidelines; and AV and IT changes to support all potential teaching modalities. Facial coverings are currently required throughout campus.

E refers to equipment adjustments that allow hands-free operations of entries and frequently used facilities, such as restrooms. We also have incorporated adjustments to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) equipment throughout campus to support healthy air quality, which meet and surpass guidelines. Signage on campus will clearly remind our community of responsible awareness of others.

A refers to academic considerations, including scheduling adjustments and programming revisions to support a more blended, adjustable educational environment.

D refers to disinfection strategies, which include frequent disinfecting through multiple methodologies, including the use of COVID‐19 approved disinfectants, UV light where appropriate, electrostatic cleaners, and foggers. We also encourage frequent handwashing, and have provided hand disinfection stations at each building and in classrooms.

Learning Modalities

We plan to offer courses in a variety of modalities, providing students flexibility and options in how and where they take their courses: in-person, online, blended, and hybrid-remote.

Campus Facilities

Since the spring of 2020, we have conducted campus work to enhance health, safety, and the quality of the campus experience. We are confident that our work has helped to keep our infection rates low. Below are some examples of our completed projects:

• All filters on the Long Island and the New York City campuses have been replaced with MERV13 filters.
• All mechanical equipment on the Long Island and New York City campuses has been reconditioned and systems have been balanced.
• On the Long Island campus, Anna Rubin Hall has a new ventilation system, and Theobald Hall has new supply and exhaust systems to ensure the highest level of indoor air quality in the lab environment. Salten Hall and the Student Activity Center have updated lounges and cafes for our students, faculty, and staff to enjoy, and the new Fork in the Road food truck provides a new on-campus dining experience.
• New outdoor parklets on Long Island offer outdoor wireless, comfortable seating, and updated landscaping, and new indoor-outdoor meetup and study spaces are planned for the New York City campus.

Reopening Reports