The plans on college campuses

by Michael Gannon

Editor

Colleges in Queens are striving to get themselves and their students back to something resembling normal while still dealing with Covid’s Delta variant and a laundry list of concerns and regulations.

And all schools are stressing the need for maximum flexibility.

The City University of New York’s fall term began Aug. 25; in Queens that includes Queens College in Flushing, York College in Jamaica, Queensborough Community College in Bayside and LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City.

In a letter on Queensboro CC’s website, CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez said this fall will mark “a limited return to all CUNY campuses.”

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask indoors on all CUNY campuses, including students taking in-person classes.

Masks must be worn outside when someone is unable to maintain physical distance from others. Anyone not vaccinated must wear a mask at all times. The only exceptions to the inside-mask rule are a fully vaccinated person alone in an enclosed space; a vaccinated professor who is teaching and maintaining appropriate distance; and someone eating and drinking while maintaining appropriate distance.

All CUNY students taking in-person or hybrid classes in the fall semester will be required to provide proof of vaccination by Tuesday, Sept. 14, unless they have been granted a medical or religious exemption. The Queens College website said all unvaccinated students who have oncampus classes through Sept. 14 must show proof of a negative Covid test taken no more than seven days before, and must participate in CUNY’s on-campus testing program. The website says only CUNY on-site testing will be accepted as proof. At St. John’s University in Jamaica, the school’s website says it is working with state and city health officials and will constantly be assessing its Covid protocols throughout the semester. Classes are scheduled to begin on Sept. 1.

The website stressed that offices and research labs will operate at full density; university travel is no longer restricted, and dining services and the fitness center will be open.

All students at all levels must present proof of vaccination in order to attend in-person classes or other campus activities. All full- and parttime employees are expected to be vaccinated prior to the start of the semester.

Students who have been granted medical or religious exemptions must report for regular testing, wear masks on all university property and comply with other protocols for those not vaccinated.

Students arriving from international destinations have additional steps including a seven-day quarantine.

Unvaccinated employees are responsible for being tested at least once a week on their own during their off hours.

Classes at Vaughn College in East Elmhurst, which caters to students pursuing careers in the aviation and aeronautics industries, begin Sept. 2. According to its website, the school is expanding its on-campus offerings for the fall.

With some exceptions, students will have the option of taking in-person or remote classes via Zoom.

Covid protocols All lab courses will require in-person attenon campus dance. The residence hall will be open. “We are currently reviewing our travel and health assessment, as well as rules concerning masking and social distancing and will issue more detailed guidance before the start of the semester,” Vaughn President Sharon Devivo wrote in a letter on the school’s website. But she also “strongly” encouraged everyone who can to get vaccinated as “the best possible option for a return to normal and the safety of the Vaughn community.” Q

Queens College and other institutions of higher learning are gearing up to start another year with Covid-19 restrictions. FILE PHOTO