January 7th, 2022
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
We look forward to welcoming you to campus on Monday. We recognize the importance of gathering together in class and learning in our hands-on in person environment. And we also care deeply about keeping our community safe.
Let me remind all members of our community that in order to enter NYFA facilities, they must do the following if they have not done so already:
- Submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination
- If eligible for a booster, submit proof of receiving booster shot
- Submit a negative RT-PCR test result taken within the last seven days
We understand that many have found it difficult to get a booster or PCR test due to long lines. These requirements will be necessary for attending classes in-person, so please ensure that you upload your documents by Monday, January 10th.
How to submit your required documents
In deciding to start classes for the Spring semester in person, we considered the available data, the very high vaccination rate among the NYFA community, our testing protocols, symptom tracking, universal masking policy and our requirement that all eligible students, staff and faculty receive booster shots.
Together, these critical measures will help us lower the incidence of Covid in our community and allow us to continue holding classes in-person. Especially with the increased rate of Covid infection due to the Omicron variant, we will need everyone to be vigilant in following all safety protocols and guidelines if we are to be successful.
We are aware that due to the Omicron variant, infection rates will likely be higher than in previous terms. Of course, we do not want anyone to be infected, but especially for those who are vaccinated and, if eligible, have a booster, symptoms with Omicron should be mild or absent after infection.
When we are in-person this semester we will emphasize the following strategies for responding to Omicron that will need to be strictly enforced, especially as this variant is so easily communicable.
- mandated vaccination with boosters (for those eligible)
- increased testing
- indoor face-covering with a NYFA provided mask, surgical or N95/KN95 quality
- vigilant use of the NYFA symptom tracker
With all of these measures in place and what we are learning about Omicron, we believe we can safely, but carefully, return to on-campus classes and activities as planned. Circumstances may change or vary campus to campus and within each campus, and so we are prepared to revise or adjust our plans accordingly. Please keep with all communications coming from your campus.
Looking forward to starting the semester with you,
Michael Young
President
New York Film Academy
