COVID-19 Community Guide
Change in Vaccination Policy; effective at the start of the 2023 Summer Term:
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will not be required beginning at the start of the 2023 Summer Term, however, COVID-19 vaccinations are strongly recommended. We encourage all students, faculty and staff to assess their personal COVID-19 health risk and take appropriate measures.
Safe Campus Is Our Goal
The New York Conservatory is offering a fully in‑person student experience. We require students to be fully vaccinated two weeks before class start.
NYCDA will accept medical exemptions only. If you wish to request an exemption, please download and complete this form.
Degree and Summer Intensive Programs: Students moving into an NYCDA third-party housing provider will be required to provide a negative rapid test taken within 48 hours of move in. Commuter students will be required to provide a negative rapid test taken within 48 hours of Orientation. Students should be prepared to show their negative test upon arrival at their third-party housing facility or upon arrival at Orientation. Students who are unable to show proof of a negative rapid test will be given one on-site.
Vaccination
Students, faculty and staff must have received either the second vaccination of a two-part vaccine that is approved by the FDA or the WHO, or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine no later than two weeks before the first day of classes. For students, proof of vaccination will be collected by the Admissions Advisors for incoming freshmen, or by Student Services for continuing students.
International Students
Incoming international students who are unable to obtain a U.S. approved vaccine in their home country may be eligible to move into the Student Residence before their scheduled move-in date in order to obtain the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine in New York City prior to the deadline for class start. Please reach out to Elaine Capella, Director of International Admissions, if you would like to discuss this accommodation.
On the campus
Campus policies are updated regularly to maintain compliance with New York Department of Health requirements. Please check back frequently for updated protocols.
Masking for students, staff and faculty will be OPTIONAL when traveling through the hallways, when in office spaces, in the faculty lounge, when eating in the cafe, and (specifically for students) when up and working in class.
Students must continue to fill out the Daily Health Tracker before they are permitted to enter NYCDA.
Masking for students when watching in class is under the jurisdiction and ultimate determination of their instructor. Instructors will make their watching/masking policy clear to students. Any students who do not comply will their instructor’s watching/masking policy will be asked to leave the class and will be considered absent.
Students displaying symptoms of illness may be recommended by staff to either take a rapid test or seek medical assistance.
Upon returning from holiday breaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break) students must upload into Campus Café, proof of a negative COVID test taken less than 48 hours prior to returning to campus.
Upon returning from holiday breaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break) ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY and STAFF must re-mask at all times except when eating in the cafes or when situated in designated office spaces for one school week (M-Sat).
in the event of covid-19 cases among the student population
In the case of any section where 3 or more students test positive for Covid:
Students and faculty will immediately be asked to take a rapid tests on-site. Students, Faculty, or Staff who test positive for Covid must leave campus immediately and begin 5 days of quarantine. They may return to campus on Day 6 and must be masked at all times until Day 11. Students and Faculty should make alternate arrangements for eating off-campus during this time.
Students who test positive for Covid should email Student Services to fill out an Emergency Leave of Absence form to have their absences excused and zoom links set up if they feel well enough to participate in classes remotely.
Faculty and/or Staff who test positive should email the Registrar (or Head of Department), Operations, Naima Warden and Sara Buffamanti. Faculty members may hold classes via Zoom if they feel well enough to do so.
We will follow CDC and NY DOH instructions on quarantine of affected students.
Students forced to quarantine will be provided resources to keep up with their courses.
Student Services can provide direction toward available clinics, pharmacies and mobile vaccination/booster units.