Dear Student,
As students make their housing decisions, the questions we hear most often these days are, “What’s life going to be like in the residence halls next year? Are the same restrictions going to be in place as in 2020-21?”
The short answer is that next year will be a lot less restrictive than this past year, according to our plans.
Last year, the only way to block the spread of the coronavirus was with measures that translated to a lot of restrictions on residential life. We know it was difficult, and we appreciate how conscientiously everyone complied.
With the vaccine requirement in place for next year, fully vaccinated students will:
- Be able to visit each other’s rooms and each other’s residence halls
- Be able to readily use common areas, which will be open for use
- Be able to routinely meet in groups
- Not have to wear masks
- Seldom have to think about quarantining — which will be limited to a few, very specific situations and will be shorter when it does happen
- Not be required to get COVID-19 tested as part of a typical student’s weekly routine
Thanks to the availability of vaccines, all in all, next year life in the residence halls should be pretty similar to pre-COVID days (we are still reviewing policy with regard to external guests).
We do need to inject a note of caution: our plans are based on achieving high rates of vaccination and low rates of COVID-19 infection. If these projections do not hold, our plans could change. Our plans must also align with public health guidance and requirements.
But we think it will be a good year, one you’ll enjoy and be glad to be in NYU housing. And we’re very much looking forward to having you with us.