As we look forward to being back together on campus, we have been evaluating the College’s ability to protect the health of our Cooper Community.

In light of the CDC’s and the FDA’s recent revisions of their COVID-19 recommendations, the Cooper Union will be revising some of the requirements for being in campus buildings.

Masks

Out of an abundance of caution, masks will continue to be required in our buildings. We will re-evaluate our policy on mask wearing indoors during the month of September.

Vaccination Requirements for the 2022-2023 Academic Year

For the 2022-2023 academic year, the College will continue to require that all students, faculty, and staff be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster when eligible, or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption.

Testing

As the CDC Guidelines recommend that schools may want to consider surveillance testing in certain scenarios, such as for when students are returning from school breaks or for those who are participating in contact sports, the Fall Semester begins with a brief entry period of required testing, starting on Monday, August 22, 2022. 

 Students, faculty and staff must submit one rapid or PCR test for their first day on campus starting August 21, 2022. If you decide to test at an independent testing site your results must be emailed to covidreporthr@cooper.edu prior to your entry to campus.

Alternatively, the College will also be providing rapid testing on campus starting Sunday, August 21st and concluding Thursday, September 1st.  Home tests will not be accepted. If you have had a positive case of COVID during the last ninety days, you must submit proof of the positive case which includes the date of the positive test. If you do not provide a negative test, your ID card will be deactivated.

This period of required testing will help identify and isolate positive cases to limit transmission on campus. It will also establish a baseline for COVID prevalence in the community to inform policies and procedures.

After September 2nd, weekly testing will no longer be required for campus access.

 Reporting Your Positive Test

Students, faculty, and employees who test positive for COVID-19 should report the positive case to covidreporthr@cooper.edu. The CDC guidelines still require a five-day isolation period before coming back to campus.

Neither vaccinated or unvaccinated students, faculty or staff are required to quarantine if exposed.  It is recommended that you wear a mask. The  U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that people exposed to Covid who are asymptomatic should take at least three at-home antigen tests, each spaced 48 hours apart, to reduce the risk of missing an infection.

The College will continue to provide the same daily intensified cleaning services, monthly air filter changes and monthly air and water quality testing for COVID-19 and Polio.

And now, some information about Monkeypox…