Filed Under: Featured Spot

Important Campus COVID-19 Reminders and Campus Updates

Updated: October 12, 2022

For a list of permitted activities and continued restrictions, please visit this link.

COVID-19 Immunization and Booster Required for Fall 2022 Course Registration:

Reminder: COVID-19 Immunization and Booster Required for Fall Enrollment

  • New students: Submit your immunization requirements ASAP. All incoming students must complete several immunization requirements and submit documentation prior to registering for their first term. You will not be able to register for classes until your submission has been verified. For more information about the immunization requirements, please follow instructions on Columbia Health (Morningside/Manhattanville) or Student Health on Haven (CUIMC).
  • Continuing students: Submit COVID-19 booster documentation ASAP. To register for Fall classes, you must have received the primary vaccination series and the first booster dose. If you have not yet submitted booster documentation, please follow the instructions from Columbia Health (Morningside/Manhattanville) or Student Health on Haven (CUIMC). You will not be able to register for classes or make any changes until your submission has been verified.

Processing your documentation may take up to 15 business days. If you have questions about these requirements or your submission, please contact the Immunization Compliance Office at immunizationcompliance@columbia.edu (Morningside/Manhattanville) or the Immunization Coordinator at shsregistration@cumc.columbia.edu (CUIMC).

Additional COVID-19 Information:

All full-time and international Columbia students are required to have health insurance. Learn more about health insurance for Morningside/Manhattanville and CUIMC students.

Students with comparable health insurance who wish to opt out of Columbia’s health insurance plan and associated fees must submita waiver request by September 16 (Morningside/Manhattanville) or September 30 (CUIMC). Waiver forms can be found here for Morningside/Manhattanville and CUIMC.

Monkeypox: Information and Resources

The Monkeypox virus has gained media and public health attention over the summer. Columbia Health and Student Health on Haven have created resources explaining the causes and symptoms of Monkeypox, vaccine eligibility, and how to seek care in case of exposure or suspected infection. The University has also provided an update with answers to frequently asked questions about Monkeypox.

We hope you are well and look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Please reach out to universitylife@columbia.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Preventing COVID-19:

  • Masking
    Masking has been strongly recommended in all indoor spaces on campus but required in all classrooms through September 30th to allow a smooth return to the classroom. With that return successfully completed, the classroom-specific requirement will end on October 1.  From that point on masking will be strongly encouraged, but not required, in all indoor settings, including classrooms, other than in clinical research and patient care spaces, where masking continues to be required. Masking will also be strongly encouraged, but no longer required, on Columbia-operated shuttles.
  • Vaccination
    With regard to the new bivalent COVID-19 booster, we strongly encourage that all faculty, researchers and staff receive this dose as recommended for all adults. Individuals are eligible for the new booster at least two months after the last vaccine dose and/or at least three months after the last episode of COVID-19 experienced by the person. Bivalent boosters are widely available through retail pharmacies, various city locations and through your regular primary care physician, including those at ColumbiaDoctors. We encourage co-administration of COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines at the same time.
  • Monitor for symptoms and stay home if you are sick: Monitor for symptoms, and if you feel sick, notify your supervisor, stay home or leave work early.
    Get tested: Testing is especially important if you have COVID-19 symptoms or were recently in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. You should also get tested before and after traveling or getting together with others in indoor settings
  • Consider avoiding higher-risk activities: Crowded, indoor gatherings should be avoided. Limit any type of gathering to a small number of people and consider wearing a mask when indoors

What To Do If You Test Positive:

  • If you test positive, email covidtesttrace@columbia.edu
    • After emailing, you will receive guidance for returning to work/class, which typically involves isolating for a minimum of 5 days and continue wearing of masks in public settings till day 10 . Faculty and staff should also inform your supervisor Students should notify their professors or advising deans
    • The University, in alignment with Department of Health guidelines, is no longer performing contact tracing. Individuals who test positive may elect to inform anyone they may have been in close contact with while contagious, but are not required to do so

What To Do If You Have Been in Close Contact with Someone Who Tested Positive:

  • All individuals should be tested on day-5 after last exposure, regardless of vaccination status
  • All individuals who are up-to-date with their vaccination, i.e., fully vaccinated with primary series AND boosted as per their eligibility AND not experiencing symptoms are not required to quarantine, but should wear a well-fitting approved mask (i.e., surgical or N95/KN95 mask) for 10-days after exposure when around others
  • All individuals who are not up-to-date with their vaccination i.e., not fully vaccinated with primary series OR fully vaccinated but not yet boosted even though eligible, are required to quarantine for 5 days after exposure and wear a well-fitting approved mask (i.e., surgical or N95/KN95 mask) for an additional 5 days after exposure when around others
  • All individuals who have received the primary vaccine series AND not yet eligible for a booster AND not experiencing symptoms are not required to quarantine, but should wear a well-fitting approved mask (i.e. surgical or N95/KN95 mask) for 10-days after exposure when around others

Clarification on gatherings, events, meetings and visitors during the NYC High Alert/Orange Status:

  • While Columbia-related gatherings and events can be held during this time, we strongly recommend wearing masks in indoor settings.  There are no limits on the size of gatherings and events
  • It is the responsibility of Columbia event sponsors to check the vaccine status of all non-Columbia attendees or visitors prior to or at the beginning of the event

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