The King’s College Spring 2022 Reopening Plan
Members of the King’s community may email questions to reopening@tkc.edu.
Introduction
Last updated: February 15, 2022, at 11:30 a.m.
Effective: January 18, 2022
The King’s College prioritizes the health and safety of our community while providing students with an outstanding education delivered by world-class faculty. Learning from the city’s storied institutions and in-person debate and discussion between professors and students is irreplaceable. Driven by this value of in-person learning, we continue to conduct courses in-person with prudent precautions to safeguard our community’s health.
Along with CDC guidance for higher education institutions, The King’s College COVID-19 Reopening Taskforce considered a number of data-driven factors to determine the Spring 2022 Reopening Plan, which outlines the ways we are modifying the typical campus experience for spring 2022. The policies set forth in this plan were crafted to allow each individual in our community to responsibly self-govern while being mindful of the needs of others. This plan remains subject to change throughout the fall semester. Plans for fall 2022 will be released in summer 2022.
Rubric for Reopening
The King’s College outlines four metrics used to determine reopening policies as well as the criteria that could trigger adjustments to the plan throughout the semester.
- Within NYC: Over 90% of adults have received at least one vaccine dose.
- Within King’s On-Campus Community: Over 85% of our community is vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Within NYC: The King’s College follows City, State, and Federal regulations as necessary.
- Within King’s On-Campus Community: The King’s College tracks COVID-19 cases that arise in our on-campus population beginning from the start of spring semester activities on January 18, 2022.
If The King’s College campus infection rate rises above 5% within a 10-day period, we will evaluate the current reopening plan and consider making adjustments.
Health and Safety
We are glad to operate in-person for the spring semester with prudent precautions to safeguard our community’s health.
- Students, staff, and faculty are responsible to evaluate their risk to COVID-19 and to be mindful of the risks to others. All members of the King’s community are encouraged to follow CDC recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
- When visiting the office of a faculty or staff member on campus, visitors must abide by the office holder’s preference for masking and social distancing, unless federal, state, or local guidance indicates otherwise.
- Where possible, campus activities, classes, and spaces will be set with enough space to encourage social distancing.
- On-campus staff, faculty, and students are expected to read the full reopening plan as well as read, sign, and abide by the 2021-2022 COVID-19 Commitment. Fully remote students or staff do not sign the commitment. Wednesday, January 12, new students must sign the COVID-19 Commitment and returning students must email reopening@tkc.edu if their vaccination status has changed since they originally signed the commitment.
- Mask and social distancing policy on campus is reviewed regularly.
- Masks are required by all individuals in UFT common spaces, elevator banks, and elevators.
- All individuals are encouraged to maintain social distance when possible and to wear masks when social distance is not possible within King’s exclusive indoor spaces (the Student Union, Lobby, 5th Floor, and 6th Floor at 56 Broadway as well as DeVos Hall), unless federal, state, or local guidance indicates otherwise.
- N95 masks are required for all students, staff, and faculty during exposed quarantines and following isolation as specified by the COVID-19 Monitoring Rubric.
- When worn, appropriate masks 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.
- The COVID-19 Information Hub houses all COVID-19-related policies, resources, and tools for the fall semester, including health training, monitoring rubric, case tracker, and more.
- Guests are required to complete the COVID-19 Health Screening prior to entering campus.
- When the HERO Act is in effect, staff, faculty, and student workers or contractors while on shift are required to complete the daily COVID-19 Health Screening prior to entering campus.
- According to the CDC, vulnerable individuals are those with certain conditions, who may have a higher risk for COVID-19 infection and severe symptoms. Students who fall in this category should consider requesting remote access for the entire semester or contacting studentsuccess@tkc.edu to discuss being on campus this fall. Faculty and staff who fall in this category should contact ggleason@tkc.edu.
- Regardless of vaccination or prior infection, staff, faculty, or students who develop symptoms of, suspect exposure to, or test positive for COVID-19 must contact The King’s College 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 who tested positive for COVID-19 (Quarantine/Monitoring)
- displays new COVID-19 symptoms (Quarantine)
- tests positive for COVID-19 (Isolation)
- The COVID-19 taskforce sends direct exposure notifications when quarantine or isolation is required for a member of the King’s community.
- The College Emergency Phone operates 24/7 beginning Wednesday, January 14, and COVID-19 cases are tracked for students, staff, and faculty at tkc.edu/covid-19/, beginning from the start of spring semester activities on Tuesday, January 18.
- HEPA filter air purifiers with UV light sanitizers are installed in classrooms to provide better air filtration.
- Two stairwells will be open for moving between the 5th and 6th floors only. During busy hours, elevator lines may be long due to 56 Broadway social distancing requirements. Staff, faculty, and students should plan accordingly.
- Facility workers use industrial disinfectants, and maintain increased campus cleaning rotations in highly trafficked areas. Classrooms are cleaned morning or evening by the facilities team.
- 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 entering a class may wipe down their seat/desk.
Academics
The King’s College staff and faculty are glad to serve the mission of King’s by prioritizing the in-person experience while making a few exceptions for those with exceptional COVID-19-related circumstances.
Regular classrooms on-campus will be arranged at the start of the day to provide 6 feet of distance between desks. Desks may be moved by professors and students while maintaining distance, with the expected courtesy of returning them to their original position at the end of class.
- Except in cases where professors have chosen to use a hybrid format for pedagogical reasons (see below) and a few exceptional circumstances, classes will be fully in-person, meeting twice per week for 80 minutes or once per week for 160 minutes. Students will continue to notice professors taking creative approaches to their classrooms to optimize the educational experience.
- We will continue to offer fully remote access to classes for eligible students (i.e. those with special health or professional circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic meeting the eligibility rules below).
- By the time registration begins, classes utilizing a hybrid format will display an “H” in the course section in the Student Portal. The designation “hybrid” covers any class that is not taught 160 minutes-in person each week or is not offered asynchronously online and therefore covers a wide range of class formats. Students may reach out to professors to find out the details of the hybrid approach of these courses.
- After Friday, December 17, 2021, students will not be permitted to switch modalities for their spring semester courses. Students will be expected to attend classes either fully in-person or fully remotely based on their approved designation and abide by the College’s attendance policy for their classes.
- Students with exceptional health situations or exceptional professional circumstances related to COVID-19 may apply for fully remote accommodations.
- Students should be prepared to present documentation from a qualified medical professional when they apply for remote access to accommodate a special COVID-19-related health situation.
- Eligibility for exceptional professional circumstances applies only to seniors who, for COVID-related reasons, have taken a job or internship outside the New York City metro area.
- If approved, remote access will be applied to all of a students’ Spring 2022 courses.
- If a course is available online (an asynchronous course designated with an “O” in the course section), a student who requests to be remote in that course will be placed in the online section.
- Students wishing to request this accommodation must complete the Request for Remote Access form after registering for spring classes, by Friday, December 17, 2021. Students must register for spring semester classes prior to completing the Request for Remote Access form, which will be available from November 15 to December 17, 2021. Requests will be processed on a rolling basis.
- Students in a College-mandated isolation or symptomatic quarantine (as defined by the COVID-19 Monitoring Rubric) will be allowed to make up the work they miss, which, at their professors’ discretion, may involve remote access to class, a recorded lecture, or the like. Students will not be recorded as absent if they participate appropriately in the manner their professor provides.
- Eligible students must first contact the Emergency Phone, then fill out the Request for Remote Access form.
- Once approved, students should contact professors to ask for a makeup plan. Students who are not registered for a remote section of a given course should not attempt or ask to attend a meeting of that course remotely except as part of such a plan.
- Students who are approved for fully remote (semester-long) access will attend synchronous classes virtually.
- Remote attendance will be counted as dressing in business casual and having your camera on for the duration of class time.
- Students should refrain from distracting or inappropriate behavior while on camera and are expected to participate in classes via Zoom from private locations that are conducive to focused learning.
- Students who are approved for fully remote access for the spring semester may not switch back to on-campus after the request is approved.
Campus & Housing
Attending school in New York City and living on campus with other members from the same House are core components of the student experience at King’s.
In order to provide the greatest possible success to the start of our semester, College operations will take place remotely through Monday, January 17, with campus reopening for normal operating hours on Tuesday, January 18. Classes will resume in-person as planned on Wednesday, January 19.
Main Campus
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 10:45 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:45 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 7:45 PM
Student Union
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 10:45 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:45 PM
Sunday: Closed
- Spring events such as Interregnum and Commencement will be held in-person for limited audiences, due to existing venue capacity restrictions at the time of the event.
- Events such as the weekly Public Reading of Scripture will take place in-person as well as virtually to support the entire community.
- All events (on or off campus) must adhere to campus or venue protocols.
- Room capacities are subject to change based on the College’s reopening plans.
- Space reservations must comply with class occupancy limits, listed in the Space Reservation Request form.
- Event services will continue to be available in the spring semester. Set Up, tear down, and a/v services as well as on-campus and online advertising requests can be completed using the Event Services and Announcement Request form.
- Many classrooms are equipped with 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). Recording an event is also possible with this technology. Student organizations and Houses may request this technology using the Space Reservation Request form as long as the requestor reads and agrees to our good stewardship policy. Questions about the use and operation of this technology should be directed to helpdesk@tkc.edu.
We strongly encourage new students to postpone moving in until Sunday, January 16. If you are unable to change plans or flights, you may still move in on Thursday, January 13. Residence Life will email on-campus new students with details and move-in day sign-ups. New Student Orientation will now take place on Tuesday, January 18, once campus resumes in-person operations. Review the revised schedule here.
- Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged in elevators at both City Point and DeVos Hall, unless federal, state, or local guidance indicates otherwise.
- 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 must not have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last five days.
- Regular and routine cleaning is expected by all roommates, especially on high touch surfaces: desks, countertops, doorknobs, sinks, etc.
Athletics
The United States College Athletic Association (USCAA) as well as King’s local conference, the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) resumed play (men’s/women’s soccer, women’s volleyball) during the Fall sports season. The men’s and women’s basketball seasons started in November with the expectation of continuing their seasons in January and February after the semester break. Student athletes may contact their coaches or Athletic Director Bryan Finley at bfinley@tkc.edu with questions in the meantime.
2021-2022 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
The spring semester begins in-person on Wednesday, January 19.
If you look at the course list in the student portal, you can tell the format of a class by the letter used to designate the class section. Traditional classes have section designations at the beginning of the alphabet (A, B, C). Online classes have the section designation “O.” Courses offered in a hybrid format will have the section designation “H.” Please note that the designation “hybrid” covers any class that is not taught 160 minutes-in person each week or offered asynchronously online and therefore covers a wide range of class formats.
Please consult the COVID-19 Monitoring Rubric, then call the Emergency Phone. You will then be directed to complete the Request for Remote Access Form and select that you need to take all classes for your specific isolation/quarantine days remotely.
If you live in campus housing, King’s staff will provide you with an isolation or symptomatic quarantine location and work with you to ensure you have necessities such as groceries, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies for the duration of your isolation or quarantine. If you live off-campus, you may isolate or quarantine in your off-campus apartment. King’s students, staff, and faculty with whom you closely interacted 48 hours prior to the start of your symptoms or positive test result until the day you called the Emergency Phone will be notified by the College.
Yes, we are excited to continue offering support to students in their thriving and success through King’s 101. Faculty and staff House advisors are always available for student support and encouragement.
HEPA filter air purifiers with UV light sanitizers are installed in classrooms to provide better air filtration.