manhattan skyline

The King’s College Summer 2021 Reopening Plan

Members of the King’s community may email questions to reopening@tkc.edu.

Introduction

Last updated: June 10, 2021, at 4:45 p.m.

The King’s College prioritizes the health and safety of our community while providing students with an outstanding education delivered by our world-class faculty. The Summer 2021 Reopening Plan outlines the ways we are modifying the typical campus experience for summer 2021.

Using the Reopening New York Higher Education Guidelines as the foundation for minimum requirements in summer 2021, prudent additional measures are weighed with prioritization given to the on-campus staff, faculty, and student experiences at King’s, while considering the constraints of COVID-19 within the King’s community and in New York City, for the overall good and furtherance of the College’s mission. Please note that we will continue to modify this plan as COVID-19 realities change.

Health and Safety

We are prioritizing the health and safety of our community while providing students with an outstanding education delivered by our world-class faculty. The following modifications will be in effect for summer 2021:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Social Distancing
  • Mask policy on campus is reviewed regularly.
  • Social distancing of 6 feet between individuals is required at all times.
  • Masks must be worn while on campus, covering the nose and mouth, when individuals are not able to maintain proper social distancing protocols.
  • Within King’s exclusive spaces, masks and social distancing policies are optional for fully vaccinated individuals. Masks and social distancing are still required by all individuals in UFT common spaces and elevator banks until further notice.
  • Appropriate face coverings are considered part of the business casual dress code on campus, and no written messaging, logos, etc. may be displayed. King’s-branded masks are permitted on campus upon approval.
    • Houses and Student Organizations wishing to design and distribute King’s-branded masks must complete the Merchandise Design Approval Form. Responses to the form will clarify whether or not a mask design is permitted for distribution and also whether or not that mask would be permitted on campus as part of the business casual dress code.
    • Individual students wishing to make their own King’s-branded mask may request approval for on-campus wear by texting 646-450-8930 with a photo of the mask.
  • Failure to abide by face covering policy may result in removal from campus.
Health Screenings and COVID-19 Monitoring
  • Students, staff, faculty, and visitors are required to participate in a daily health screening upon entry to The King’s College at 56 Broadway, and temperature checks will be conducted at campus entry points. Those who fail a health screening or display a temperature of 100.4 or above, will not be permitted on campus for at least that day, and a staff member will follow up to determine next steps.
  • Entrance through 52 Broadway and 50 Broadway is not permitted for any members of the community during campus hours.
  • The College Emergency Phone operates over the summer and COVID-19 cases are tracked for students and NYCIntern residents at tkc.edu/covid-19/.
  • On-campus students, staff, faculty, and NYCIntern residents who display symptoms of, suspect exposure to, or test positive for COVID-19 must call the Emergency Phone at 646-242-4411. The COVID-19 Monitoring Rubric defines the conditions that apply when a member of the King’s community:
    • has been exposed to a person in quarantine
    • has been exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19
    • displays new COVID-19 symptoms
    • tests positive for COVID-19
Health Training
  • The COVID-19 Information Hub houses all COVID-19-related policies, resources, and tools for the summer, including the health training, monitoring rubric, case tracker, and more.
  • According to the CDC, vulnerable individuals are those with certain conditions, who may have a higher risk for COVID-19 infection and severe symptoms. Faculty and staff who fall in this category should contact ggleason@tkc.edu.
Campus Operations
  • HEPA filter air purifiers with UV light sanitizers are installed in classrooms to provide better air filtration.
  • Facility workers use industrial disinfectants, and maintain increased campus cleaning rotations in highly trafficked areas.
  • Plexiglass barriers are installed at certain campus locations.
  • Campus signage sets expectations, room occupancy limits, and health reminders around campus.
  • Wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers are located outside all kitchens, classrooms, restrooms, and common areas.
  • A bottle of disinfectant and paper towels is installed in each classroom so students, staff, and faculty entering a classroom may wipe down their seat/desk.
  • Campus hours operate on an amended schedule to accommodate increased campus cleaning and sanitizing on Sundays:

    Main Campus: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
    Main Campus: Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED
    Main Campus: Sunday: CLOSED
    Student Union: Daily: CLOSED

  • Furniture around campus is set with social distancing best practices in mind. Individuals may not move seating in lounge areas or desks in classrooms.
COVID-19 Testing Procedures

Those who display COVID-19 symptoms or suspect exposure to COVID-19 should follow these steps:

  1. Consult the COVID-19 Monitoring Rubric.
  2. Contact The King’s College:
    • Students and NYCIntern residents should call the Emergency Phone at 646-242-4411, then contact professors if you are advised to stay off campus that day.
    • Faculty should call the Provost, Dr. Mark Hijleh.
    • Staff should call the Director of Human Resources, Grace Gleason.
  3. Call the NYC COVID-19 hotline at 888-364-3065 or visit nyc.gov to schedule a free covid-19 test. Recommended testing location information is listed below.
    • If asymptomatic, test 4 days after exposure. If symptomatic, test 24 hours after onset (start) of symptoms. Individuals must use their New York City addresses and identify themselves as a member of The King’s College.

Manhattan

CityMD Urgent Care-Fulton
138 Fulton St., New York, NY 10038
(212) 271-4896

AdvantageCare Physicians Express Duane Street ACPNY
52 Duane Street, New York, NY 10007
(212) 423-3900

Brooklyn

Housing Works Downtown Brooklyn Health Center
120 Lawrence Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 277-0386

CityMD – Brooklyn Heights
135 Montague St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(646) 346-7918

CityMD Urgent Care – Cobble Hill
228-230 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 280-5362

CityMD Urgent Care – Boerum Hill
457 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 530-1144

NYCIntern Housing

COVID-19 protocols must be followed when accessing the building and in all common spaces. Anyone observed not following the rules will be asked to comply. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact NYCIntern directly at 212-659-7286, or via email at nycintern@tkc.edu.

Building Etiquette
  • Social Distancing – Please ensure to maintain the City and State social distancing guidelines of 6 feet or more. Social distancing is optional for fully vaccinated individuals.
  • Masks and Face Coverings – Masks or face coverings should always be worn over the nose and mouth by adults and children over the age of two, in all common areas. Masks are optional for fully vaccinated individuals.
  • Sanitizing stations – Please utilize the hand sanitizing stations in common areas.
Elevator Etiquette for Unvaccinated Individuals
  • Please do not overcrowd the elevators and maintain social distancing.
  • Always wear a mask or a face covering.
  • Please minimize conversations. Avoid facing other passengers when possible.
Required COVID-19 Notification

If you, develop symptoms of COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination or prior infection), OR suspect exposure to COVID-19 (and are NOT fully vaccinated and have NOT recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection in the last 3 months), OR test positive for COVID-19, you must contact The King’s College Emergency Phone at 646-242-4411.

Student Housing

Living on campus with other members from the same House is a core component of the student experience at King’s and will be preserved as much as possible. For The King’s College residential buildings (City Point and DeVos Hall), the following modifications will be in effect for summer 2021:

On-Campus Living Expectations
  • Apartments are viewed as shared residences or “family units” similar to a family’s shared residence in that social distancing practices are not expected within the apartment among designated roommates.
  • Students are expected to limit guests in their apartments at all times. Any students wishing to have guests at their apartments must first receive approval from their roommates before allowing the guests into the apartment. Any guests should not have had any COVID-19 symptoms in the last 10 days.
  • Overnight guests are not prohibited but discouraged, and must be approved by the Office of Residence Life at least 24 hours before the guest’s arrival.
  • Regular and routine cleaning is expected by all roommates, especially on high touch surfaces: desks, countertops, doorknobs, sinks, etc.
  • Students will be actively encouraged to monitor their personal health.
  • Facilities will provide cleaning supplies in DeVos Hall communal kitchen and will continue to sanitize the kitchen on a daily basis.
Required COVID-19 Notification

If you, develop symptoms of COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination or prior infection), OR suspect exposure to COVID-19 (and are NOT fully vaccinated and have NOT recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection in the last 3 months), OR test positive for COVID-19, you must contact The King’s College Emergency Phone at 646-242-4411.

Student Life

Community life at King’s and in New York City is a core component of the student experience. The following modifications will be in effect for summer 2021:

Events
  • In-person events are permitted for all members of the King’s community.
  • All events (on or off campus) must adhere to social distancing and masking protocols.
  • Room capacities are subject to change based on City and State guidance.
Event Services

On-campus events are permissible as long as they comply with the following guidelines:

  • Space reservations must comply with new class occupancy limits, listed in the Space Reservation Request form.
  • Event services will be limited. Folding tables will be available for self set-up, if needed. On-campus and online advertising are still available and requests can be completed using the Announcement section of the Event Services and Announcement Request form.
  • Houses and Student Organizations may request use of classroom technology to allow for synchronous in-person and online meetings, (meaning any event taking place in-person in one of these classrooms has the capability to also include virtual attendance) as well as event recording using the Space Reservation Request form as long as the requestor reads and agrees to the Good Stewardship Policy. Questions about the use and operation of this technology should be directed to helpdesk@tkc.edu.
  • Catering options for all events (on or off campus) are restricted to either 1) pre-wrapped foods and individually sealed beverages, or 2) non-pre-wrapped individual food items served by specific individuals wearing masks and gloves, while remaining socially distant.
  • Serving food at campus events must follow New York State’s indoor dining regulations. Note: all King’s classrooms are set for 50% capacity, with the exception of the City Room, which is set at 25% capacity.

King’s COVID-19 Commitment

Upon my honor and in service to our community, I pledge to take responsibility for my own health, the protection of others, and to help keep the King’s community safe from the spread of COVID-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Fall 2021 Reopening Plan be released?

As New York State continues to adjust COVID-19 policies, be on the lookout for an update regarding our academic philosophy going into the fall semester to be released in June.
By the week of July 12, we will release our Preliminary Fall 2021 Reopening Plan.

We are cautiously optimistic about teaching in-person with fewer COVID-19 restrictions during the upcoming fall semester and are preparing to abide by updated state health and safety procedures once they are finalized. God willing, it is our hope that the fall semester will be marked by a return to more normalcy. Our aim remains to provide students with an outstanding education delivered by our world-class faculty.

Will any classes meet in-person this summer? 

All summer courses meet virtually.

What resources exist for getting groceries or other necessities delivered if I need to quarantine?

Some of the popular delivery services are Doordash and Seamless for prepared meals. Many students use Amazon Fresh for groceries. Amazon Prime is free for students for the first 6 months. Hello Fresh will send fresh ingredients to cook a meal.

What will the health screening be like?

Students, staff, faculty, and visitors will be required to participate in a daily health screening upon entry to The King’s College at 56 Broadway, and temperature checks will be conducted at campus entry points. Those who fail a health screening or display a temperature of 100.4 or above, will not be permitted on campus that day.