FAQs

Since April 2020, when Pratt assembled the pandemic planning committees, the Institute has assessed academic and operational needs. This included developing a mitigation plan with our in-house experts on health and safety, in partnership with Geosyntec, which includes testing, monitoring, tracing, and disinfecting protocols. Additionally, Pratt drafted social contracts for our community, consulted with and observed the decisions of local and regional government officials, health experts, and other academic institutions and organizations, and built a robust curriculum with the complex schedule and enhanced technology necessary to support it.

As of September 27, 2021, the Institute has an expanded randomized testing program for fully vaccinated students, faculty, and staff. Unvaccinated members of the Pratt community and those in the vaccination process continue to test on a weekly basis as previously instructed. This added testing program is a simple, proactive measure to keep one another safe and to help one another feel more comfortable on our campuses. It will also provide additional information about our collective health and allow us to adjust safety measures accordingly.

While Pratt has put extensive protocols in place to reduce the risks associated with working, living, and learning on campus, we cannot eliminate them completely, and we need to be ready for the possibility that the virus may put new demands upon us on very short notice.

All students, faculty, and staff returning to campus are asked to work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Extensive measures on campus are also in place to promote the safety and wellbeing of Pratt's whole community.

During the continued health crisis, Pratt is taking extensive precautions to ensure the health and safety of not only our students, faculty, and staff, but also our surrounding neighborhood communities. For now, maintaining those precautions requires that we restrict public access to campus. We look forward to welcoming our neighbors back to our campus when it is once again safe to do so.

Please review the Campus Access Policy for the latest information.

Limited on-campus tours are available for prospective students by emailing the admissions office at admissions@pratt.edu. Virtual options are available at pratt.edu/visit.

Pratt Institute asks members of our community to pledge to be accountable by signing a social contract agreeing to abide by requirements and expectations that will contribute significantly toward reducing the spread of COVID-19. Social contracts for students, faculty, and staff have been written in consultation and with input from the Pratt community. They are designed to be a temporary addition to the existing community standards, by which we all agree to abide as members of this community.

Pratt has detailed guidance on testing for campus access to promote the safety of its community. If you are submitting a COVID-19 vaccination record, please follow the instructions on the campus access page. If you are submitting a COVID-19 PCR test for campus access, please follow the detailed instructions on the COVID Testing and Monitoring page.

Additionally, as of September 27, 2021, Pratt has implemented an expanded randomized testing program for fully vaccinated students, faculty, and staff. Each week, a randomized sampling of students, faculty, and staff who access Pratt’s campuses are selected and notified by email that they are required to get tested on campus the following week. The number of individuals selected for testing is determined based on the current status of the pandemic and other virologic and epidemiological data (from Pratt’s campuses and local public health authorities).

Unvaccinated members of the Pratt community and those in the vaccination process continue to test on a weekly basis as previously instructed.

This added testing program is a simple, proactive measure to keep one another safe and to help one another feel more comfortable on our campuses. It also provides additional information about our collective health and allows us to adjust safety measures accordingly. Please visit the Back to Pratt site for the latest communications on these measures.

No, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine does not affect the PCR or antigen test results since these tests check for active disease, not immunity. There is no virus present in the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccine is free to everyone who is eligible. New York State’s vaccination eligibility now includes all United States residents 12 years of age and older, as well as non-residents (including international students). New York State has an online tool to schedule an appointment at a New York State-run vaccination site. Appointments can also be scheduled by calling New York State’s hotline at 1-833-697-4829. Find a city or state-run site near you for walk-in information.

If you are outside of New York State, the CDC has information for your location as well as general guidance on the vaccine. Currently, Pratt is not distributing vaccines.

The Back to Pratt COVID-19 Vaccine page has further information including vaccination appointment tips, different methods to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in New York City, and useful websites and numbers.

No, you do not have to pay to be vaccinated in the United States. The US federal government is providing the COVID-19 vaccination free of charge, regardless of immigration or health insurance status.

Following the guidance of the CDC that promotes vaccination as a way to make it harder for COVID-19 to spread from person to person, Pratt is encouraging as many people to be vaccinated as possible for the safety and health of our community both on campus and beyond. The Mayo Clinic has in-depth information on the role of vaccinations in ending the pandemic.

Vaccinations allow us to have more in-person classes, events, and time together on campus. Each person who is vaccinated helps protect not just themselves from COVID-19 but everyone around them and helps us return to a more normal and robust academic year.

Fully vaccinated means that the required number of doses for the vaccine has been received and more than two weeks have elapsed since completing these doses. If you don’t meet these requirements, you are NOT fully vaccinated.

Example:

• 2 weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines
• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

Pratt is following the guidance on vaccines from the CDC.

Yes, Pratt Institute is requiring all students, faculty, and staff who are on campus in fall 2021 to be fully vaccinated. All vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are acceptable. For international students, Pratt also will accept vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) (see the WHO site for the latest list of authorized vaccines).

Everyone arriving on campus is required to submit proof of their vaccination. Pratt is offering its faculty and staff up to four hours of excused leave per injection that will not be charged against any other leave. Details can be found in the vaccination time off policy.

Pratt asks all students, faculty, and staff to upload their vaccination proof into our secure database for contact tracing purposes, proof of eligibility for using the vaccination day accrual, and to aggregate data about the progress that our community has made towards vaccination against COVID-19. The due date for uploading your vaccine proof for the fall semester was July 30 to allow time for the information to be processed before the start of classes.

For the latest information, visit the Back to Pratt COVID-19 Vaccine page.

The due date for uploading your vaccine proof for the fall semester was July 30. This allows for time to process the information before the start of classes. All students, faculty, and staff (including those who are currently working remotely but plan to be on campus in the fall) can upload their vaccination proof into our secure database.

No, if you have submitted your vaccine proof online and it has been approved, it will already be recorded on your Pratt Safe app digital ID for accessing campus.

Members of the Pratt community who are accessing campus should have both icons on the bottom of their Pratt Digital ID colored green by submitting their social contract and the COVID-19 requirements reflected on their Pratt Safe app. Review the Campus Access Checklist to confirm you have followed all the steps. If you are still experiencing issues, contact covidcoordination@pratt.edu.

Faculty and staff are required to complete a daily health screening questionnaire prior to accessing campus. The questionnaire is accessible on the Pratt Safe app.

This is in compliance with the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act). Although the law applies only to faculty and staff, Pratt encourages students to monitor their health daily.

Pratt Institute is seeking to create a safe and healthy environment where we can come together on campus to have those dynamic exchanges of ideas in person that we so deeply value. The decision to require all students, faculty, and staff who are on campus to be vaccinated was not made lightly. Collectively across campus, we partnered to hear different perspectives on vaccinations during the decision-making process.

Following guidance from the CDC, recommendations from New York State, and a student survey, as well as consultations with staff and faculty representatives, Pratt made the decision to require vaccination for all students, faculty, and staff. There is now reliable evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines prevent COVID-19 illness and the spread of the disease.

In the final analysis, it became clear that requiring vaccines would be the most effective measure to ensure the safest environment for our community while on campus. Pratt will continue to make safety its primary consideration in all decision-making and will rely on the most up-to-date scientific information to make informed decisions.

Pratt has announced its vaccine requirement months in advance of the fall 2021 semester so its community will have time to gather information, consult with their health care providers, and take other steps to inform themselves of their choices. The three vaccines that have been deemed safe and effective for Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) are the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. This guidance can also be applied to COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) (see the WHO site for the latest list of authorized vaccines).

The CDC has detailed information on the vaccines including how they are being monitored for their safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality that supports this emergency use. The benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine include prevention of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus.

Pratt strongly encourages its students to make every effort to get vaccinated before they arrive in New York. If that is not a possibility, New York State’s vaccination eligibility now includes all United States residents 12 years of age and older, as well as non-residents (including international students). All students will be eligible to be vaccinated under these New York State guidelines.

The vaccine is free to everyone who is eligible. New York State has an online tool to schedule an appointment at a New York State-run vaccination site. Appointments can also be scheduled by calling New York State’s hotline at 1-833-697-4829. Find a city or state-run site near you for walk-in information.

The Back to Pratt COVID-19 Vaccine page has further information including vaccination appointment tips, different methods to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in New York City, and useful websites and numbers.

Students, faculty, or staff members who cannot be vaccinated before arriving in New York, or who have only received one dose of a two-dose vaccine, or who have not met the requirements of full vaccination, must follow these guidelines:

• Submit a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days prior to their arrival on campus or to the residence halls.
• Participate in weekly COVID-19 testing until fully vaccinated. After the initial test is completed prior to arrival, ongoing COVID-19 testing will be provided by Pratt at no cost. Detailed instructions on weekly testing are available on Back to Pratt.
• Have the first vaccine dose within the first week of the semester (or arrival in the residence halls) and submit proof using your OneKey ID. Those waiting for a second dose must schedule an appointment as soon as possible based on their individual dose regimen.

The CDC recommends taking a photograph of your vaccination card as a backup copy. This will capture all your data if you lose your card. If you did not receive a COVID-19 vaccination card at your appointment, contact the vaccination provider site where you were vaccinated or your state health department to find out how to get a card.

The CDC does not have vaccination record information. Instead, they recommend contacting the operational immunization information system (IIS) in the state where you received your vaccination. It’s also recommended that you contact your vaccination site for a potential replacement and bring your ID as well as the dates you were vaccinated. If you were vaccinated at two different places, it's recommended you return to the site where you got your second dose.

Pratt’s students, faculty, and staff seeking a religious or medical exemption from being vaccinated for COVID-19 should take the following steps:

• Review the requirements for an exemption.
• Submit your request for exemption using the online form.
• If the exemption request is approved, submit a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days prior to your arrival on campus.
• Participate in weekly COVID-19 testing throughout your time on campus. After the initial test is completed prior to arrival, ongoing COVID-19 testing will be provided by Pratt at no cost. Detailed instructions on weekly testing will be shared with these members of the community before the start of the semester.

Students in this category should contact health@pratt.edu with any questions while faculty and staff should contact benefits@pratt.edu.

Do not delay vaccination if it is available to you. With the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines in New York, international students who cannot receive a vaccine before arrival will be able to do so upon entering the United States. Pratt will assist international students in complying with the Institute’s requirements as needed.

Yes. Pratt is accepting vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use or are approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) (see the WHO site for the latest list of authorized vaccines) as well as those authorized for such use by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. It is advised that you get vaccinated as soon as possible with any approved or authorized vaccine that is available to you.

Currently, the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC states that people who were vaccinated outside the United States with an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine and have received all the recommended doses do not need any additional doses. People who received the first dose of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine that requires two doses while abroad do not need to restart the vaccine series in the United States but should receive the second dose as close to the recommended time as possible.

This guidance can also be applied to COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization. Pratt is closely monitoring the changes in guidance from the FDA and WHO as well as the list of accepted vaccines.

Yes, Pratt is requiring that all of its students be fully vaccinated by the time they arrive on campus, including to live in the residence halls. Any student who cannot be vaccinated prior to arrival will need to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test within three days prior to arrival and test weekly until fully vaccinated.

Yes, you can register for classes before your COVID-19 vaccination. Proof of vaccination will be required before coming onto campus or entering the residence halls. Resident students who can not meet this requirement will follow the outlined testing process prior to vaccination.

Pratt’s COVID-19 vaccine requirements do not apply to students who will be learning remotely in the fall. These students will be able to make progress toward their degrees through online classes.

Please note that there are other immunizations required for registered students that can be found on Pratt's Immunization Information page.

Students choosing not to study on campus and students who will not be vaccinated at that time will have remote options for making progress towards their degrees.

However, Pratt strongly encourages each member of its community, whether they are spending time on campus or not, to be vaccinated to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Pratt’s vaccine requirement does not apply to students, faculty, and staff who are continuing to work and study remotely. However, Pratt strongly encourages every member of its community to be vaccinated to combat the ongoing spread of COVID-19.

No, whether you are vaccinated or waiting to be vaccinated when you arrive in New York, you are not required to quarantine. This applies to both domestic and international students as well as any arriving faculty and staff. This is based on the current New York State guidelines.

Pharmacies participating in a federal vaccine distribution program are setting aside any residency requirements for vaccinations. This will allow college students who got their first shot in New York to get their second dose at home or elsewhere, as well as students who got their first dose in their home state to get their second dose upon arriving in New York.

Yes, Pratt’s requirement is a COVID-19 vaccination. As the CDC advises, vaccinations are recommended for people regardless of their history of prior symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, including a positive antibody test.

There may be some situations where your healthcare provider may recommend waiting to get the vaccine. Please review Pratt’s COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Requests.

Regardless of prior infection, vaccine status, or your perceived safety around classmates or coworkers, all students, faculty, and staff must adhere to the guidelines of the social contract that uphold the wellbeing of the whole Pratt community. More health and safety guidance is available on the Back to Pratt website.

Pratt students, faculty, and staff (including those who are currently working remotely) can upload their vaccination proof into our secure database for contact tracing purposes, proof of eligibility for using the vaccination day accrual, and to aggregate data about the progress our community has made towards vaccination against COVID-19. These are the steps:

• Login to the vaccine form using your OneKey ID.
• Be prepared to upload a clear image of your vaccination proof that shows your name, vaccine information, and vaccination date.
• Select the vaccination brand you received and indicate the date(s) that you received the vaccination. If this is the first dose, you will also have to submit the second dose with proof of its administration.
• Click the submit button. You will receive a confirmation email of your submission. Once your submission is reviewed, you will receive a subsequent email about your submission status (whether approved or rejected).

Please note: the due date for uploading your vaccine proof for the fall semester was July 30 to allow time for processing before the start of classes.

Yes, Pratt is offering its staff up to four hours of excused leave per injection that will not be charged against any other leave. This is in compliance with all New York Labor Laws, including 196-C, which provides for paid time off (PTO) to receive COVID-19 vaccine injections. Read more about this policy on our vaccine policy page.

Each member of our community has a responsibility to be safe for the whole Institute and no matter the circumstances Pratt is committed to this collective cooperation for the healthiest campus possible. The social contract holds our community members accountable with expectations for individual actions including vaccination.

The social contract for students, faculty, and staff is an extension of Pratt’s Community Standards and violations will be addressed by staff, faculty, RAs, security, and fellow students as usual. Any violations will be adjudicated as are all policy violations, however, it should be noted that violations where one’s actions cause potential harm to another or the community are dealt with more serious consequences/limitations. It is critical that all members of the community think through their decisions regarding the social contract as each decision will not only put others at physical risk, it may have student conduct repercussions.

No. If you uploaded your vaccination proof to the vaccine form and it was approved, you have met the requirements for the fall 2021 semester.

Following the guidance from the CDC, students, faculty, and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 must wait 10 days to return to campus and must be symptom free for over 24 hours.

The online Quarantine, Isolation, and Vaccination Calculators can help determine the length of this time based on your symptoms, testing, and status as a close contact.

Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from those who are not sick. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. See the CDC guidelines for more information (PDF).

Pratt is committed to reducing the spread of COVID-19 on campus and rapidly communicating any operational changes in response to the current transmission rate with our community members. The Back to Pratt microsite has the current COVID-19 conditions indicator with color-coded guidance for the most up-to-date level of action. The indicator can also be accessed on the Pratt Safe app.

Pratt’s expert Risk Assessment & Mitigation Group is continually monitoring, assessing, and making recommendations to Pratt’s senior leadership team for changing or elevating the campus operational status. These changes would be based on maintaining a threshold criterion for testing of community members as needed, screening all community members entering campus, and conducting health audits. To promote the healthiest campus possible, Pratt is vigilantly reinforcing the consistent use of PPE, making sure supplies of PPE are available, maintaining a consistent and regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule, and providing community education on COVID-19 containment and prevention efforts.

In all of these actions, Pratt is closely complying with city and state guidance for college campuses.

Pratt is a fully vaccinated campus and is adhering to the strict measures and protocols based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state, and city guidelines and policies that it has put in place to promote a healthy and safe campus. This includes the social contract that holds our community members accountable with expectations for their individual actions as well as rigorous testing standards.

Regardless of prior infection, vaccination status, or perceived safety around classmates or coworkers, all students, faculty, and staff must adhere to these core health habits: Wear a mask where recommended, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick.

Joined with other measures like the Pratt Safe App, the Institute continues to promote these protocols that require everyone’s continuous participation for their success.

Each member of our community has a responsibility to be safe for the whole Institute and no matter the circumstances Pratt is committed to this collective cooperation for the healthiest campus possible.

As part of the ongoing promotion of health on campus, Pratt will provide all students, faculty, and staff with a washable face mask upon request. Students, faculty, and staff can pick up a face mask at any of the Public Safety booths on campus. Clear masks are available at the Learning/Access Center, the Public Safety booth at the main gate on the Brooklyn campus, and the lobby desk at the Manhattan campus. A limited number of disposable surgical masks are also available at several Public Safety locations on the Brooklyn campus and at the entrance of the Pratt Manhattan campus.

Hand sanitizer stations are available across campus. Disinfecting supplies are also available from the Facilities Department for cleaning work and study spaces.

The first step a faculty member should take with a student who is not wearing a mask is ask them to comply. If they refuse, they should be asked to leave. Only if the situation escalates should Pratt public safety be involved.

Not wearing a mask when required is in violation of the social contract for students, faculty, and staff which is an extension of Pratt’s Community Standards. Any violations will be adjudicated as are all policy violations, however, it should be noted that violations where one’s actions cause potential harm to another or the community are dealt with more serious consequences/limitations. It is critical that all members of the community think through their decisions regarding the social contract as each decision will not only put others at physical risk, it will cause a student a conduct outcome.

The Office of Facilities Management is carefully following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to improve the indoor air quality and circulation across campus. Annual and preventative maintenance on the building equipment by Facilities is further providing the best performance of the building HVAC systems. The CDC has detailed information on improving ventilation in buildings, such as the introduction of outdoor air by opening windows and doors and the use of fans to increase the effectiveness of open windows, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about ventilation, HEPA filters, fans, and more.

In campus spaces that have mechanical ventilation (HVAC), Facilities is maximizing the outside air in all these HVAC systems and increasing air filtration with the installation of high-density filters. All the systems are running at a minimum of two hours before and after occupancy.

Additional engineering controls, which include UV disinfection and ionization, have been installed in the air-handling units in all buildings for additional disinfection.

In spaces without mechanical HVAC, but with windows and doors, Facilities has added exhaust fans to maximize the air changes in rooms six or more times an hour. Single occupancy spaces such as individual offices do not require additional exhaust.

• In spaces with exhaust fans, we ask that the fans be plugged in at the beginning of class and the door be left open 6 to 8 inches to provide airflow and circulation.
• Please turn off the fans and lights at the end of class.

If spaces do not have mechanical ventilation and have no windows, they will be single occupancy, provided with HEPA filters, or closed.

The air in bathrooms is being exhausted either through the existing building exhaust system or through the installation of a window exhaust fan. Many bathrooms may be single occupancy or, if necessary, closed.

As part of the measures to improve indoor air quality and circulation in its campus buildings, Pratt is promoting a constant exchange of air within its indoor spaces. This means that classrooms, studios, and other indoor spaces may be colder than normal. Those spending time in the campus buildings are advised to dress in layers as windows may be open and the ventilation system may be on even on cooler days.

Pratt continues to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) closely on these measures.

The social contract for students, faculty, and staff is an extension of Pratt’s Community Standards and violations will be addressed by staff, faculty, RAs, security, and fellow students as usual. Any violations will be adjudicated as are all policy violations, however, it should be noted that violations where one’s actions cause potential harm to another or the community are dealt with more serious consequences/limitations. It is critical that all members of the community think through their decisions regarding the social contract as each decision will not only put others at physical risk, it will cause a student a conduct outcome.

Pratt Health Services is providing both in person and telehealth services to our students. In-person appointments are limited so please check the Health Services site for the latest information.

The preferable way for students to request an appointment is by email at health@pratt.edu or phone at 718.399.4542.

Health Services maintains a list of resources around New York City to meet students’ healthcare needs.

For information on the Aetna Student Health plan offered by Pratt, please visit the Student Health Insurance page or the Aetna Student Health website.

We encourage students who are feeling stressed or overwhelmed for any reason to contact the Senior Student Advocate and Care Coordinator, Martha Cedarholm, at mcedarho@pratt.edu, and she will assist you in finding the help you need.

Pratt’s Counseling Center is available by phone at 718.687.5356 and email at therapy@pratt.edu.

Faculty and staff can find COVID-19 emotional health resources on the Human Resources Benefits FAQ, including free and confidential hotlines and apps.

Contact tracing is initiated by the New York City Department of Health. However, Pratt has enlisted several leaders on campus to enhance that effort. These leaders include, but are not limited to, members of the health, public safety, human resources, and residential life offices. Contact tracing begins with the identification of the person who tested positive followed by an interview that determines where potential transmission could be. If exposure does not meet the criteria of a “close contact,” then no further communication to others is necessary. If, however, there are close contacts who meet this criteria, those people will be contacted, interviewed, and likely quarantined.

See Pratt’s contact tracing chart for more information on the actions and guidance that close contacts and positive cases should follow.

If the case is a student, that student should notify Health Services. If the case is a staff or faculty member, that person should notify Human Resources. The COVID Reporting Form is available to confidentially notify HR or Student Health about actual or potential COVID-19 cases on campus.

They will then be interviewed and anyone deemed as a close contact will be notified. If you meet the outlined criteria of close contact (read the criteria carefully), you should begin symptom monitoring, quarantine, and testing if you are not vaccinated. If you do not meet the criteria, you should monitor your symptoms and continue to practice key health habits.

See Pratt’s contact tracing chart for more information on the actions and guidance that close contacts and positive cases should follow.

Do not report to work, class, or other activities on campus if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Please follow the guidance from the CDC if you become sick or have had contact with someone who may have COVID-19. See Pratt’s Positive COVID-19 Cases and Contract Tracing information page for additional guidance for students, faculty, and staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19, have had contact with someone who may have COVID-19, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

If someone with whom you have been in close contact (determined by the Department of Health contact tracing) is found to be COVID-19 positive, you will be asked to quarantine for 10 days if you are not fully vaccinated. NYC Health states that if you are a close contact with someone who had COVID-19 you must quarantine for 10 days after your last exposure regardless of your test result. It is recommended that you get this test three to five days after having close contact with someone while they had COVID-19, returning from travel, or attending a large indoor gathering.

A close contact is anyone who you have spent more than 10 minutes with within a 24-hour period while less than 6 feet apart. A close contact is also anyone with whom you live, have shared cups, have shared unwashed utensils, have shared toothbrushes, or have kissed. A close contact is also anyone who has directly sneezed, coughed, or spit on you.

See Pratt’s contact tracing chart for more information on the actions and guidance that close contacts and positive cases should follow.

Contact tracing begins with the identification of the person who tested positive followed by an interview that determines where potential transmission could have taken place. If exposure does not meet the criteria of a “close contact,” then no further communication will be necessary.

If, however, there are close contacts who meet these criteria, those people will be contacted, interviewed, and likely asked to quarantine depending on their vaccination status. You may have been in a class, studio, or workspace with a positive case and not meet the criteria for a close contact, meaning your risk is very low.

Personal comfort levels can be different for everyone but Pratt, with the New York Department of Health, continues to follow guidance from the CDC and New York State to determine exposure notifications.

Regardless of confirmed cases, wear a face covering correctly where required, and conduct frequent hand washing. These actions dramatically reduce the risk of transmission even when a positive case is identified. We also encourage all community members to participate in frequent COVID-19 testing even if they are vaccinated.

No, only upload your test results if it is your first time on campus. If you are in the pool, your test results are already accessible.

The Pratt Safe app offers a discrete process for reporting your concerns related to the health and safety of the community and campus. Access the “COVID Concerns” form under the “Return to Campus During COVID” section to start this process. While this process is not anonymous, all information will be relayed to the appropriate departments and treated with discretion as we work together to promote health and safety.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a detailed guide to workplace, school, and home cleaning. The CDC also has recommendations for community facilities with suspected and confirmed cases as well as cleaning and disinfection recommendations for homes where a person has a suspected or confirmed case.

All administrative and academic staff are responsible for the disinfecting of items in single-use offices and at private workstations such as the telephone, keyboard, mouse, touchscreens, printer, desk, chairs, tape dispenser, stapler, etc. Refrigerators, microwaves, and coffeemakers should be cleaned before and after they are used. Offices are able to purchase cleaning and disinfection supplies such as wipes, gloves, sanitizer, etc. through the same process as purchasing office supplies.

Routine cleaning practices occur in administrative and academic offices. Pratt cleans these areas once during the day or evening. The daily cleaning routine includes: removal of trash, dusting, dust mop and spot mopping as required, vacuuming as needed, and carpet cleaning upon request. A complete disinfecting and mopping of floors will occur once a week. Please see the full “Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols” for more information on these measures.

If anyone in our community has experienced, is aware of, or has witnessed any incident of bias, discrimination, or harassment, please report it to the Bias Education Response Task Force using the Bias Incident Report Form.

The risk of COVID-19 is not bound by race or nationality. We encourage the Pratt community to read the CDC anti-stigma guidelines for facts about this illness.

CDC, state, and local guidelines are just that: guidelines. When new recommendations are released, Pratt thoughtfully interprets and prioritizes them for the health and well-being of our campus community. Keep a watch on the Back to Pratt website and e-newsletter for the latest updates as the pandemic and these guidelines continue to change.

Student Life has posted a list of available social and work spaces on campus. While using these locations, students are responsible for following the social contract and posted instructions, including wearing masks and remaining at least six feet apart. Reservable work or teaching space is also available for faculty and staff.

There are current opportunities for student employment both in remote and on-campus positions.

Yes, please contact admissions@pratt.edu for information and visit pratt.edu/visit for information on both on-campus and virtual tours.

We are engaged in a challenging and stimulating academic year with the same standard of excellence in teaching, learning, and research across the creative fields for which Pratt is renowned. With our entire community’s safety and wellbeing as our priority, we have created a framework in which Pratt students are continuing to receive a world-class education from Pratt’s stellar faculty. All students, whether they join us in New York City or study remotely, are able to make full-time progress toward their degrees.

No matter where or how our students choose to take courses or access services, they are being supported by our dedicated and distinguished faculty and staff, and the enhanced robust technology needed to learn and create.

Pratt recognizes that while conducting classes online has become commonplace, these online meeting formats bring with them some privacy concerns. Our best practices guidance takes into consideration the needs and privacy of both students and faculty.

The current guidance states: Anyone who is intending to record a class or meeting should clearly inform all participants ahead of time. Recording a class is not required by the Institute—except in the case of a disability-related accommodation—but is permissible. Recorded classes should not be shared with anyone who is not a member of the class (except professional captioners). Only the faculty member teaching the class should have permission to record the class. It is acceptable to ask students to agree to this condition either verbally or in writing.

All students should be encouraged to use the Zoom background feature—if their computer meets the system requirements—to protect their privacy. While faculty members may prefer that students have their cameras on during class, students should not be required to make their faces visible on camera. Asking students to show their work or a working process on camera, for pedagogical purposes, is permissible.

The full details of this guidance are available through the Center for Teaching and Learning (PDF).

Faculty are advised to exercise as much flexibility as possible for students whose attendance or deadlines are impacted by health and wellness concerns related to COVID-19. Working in partnership with students to create reasonable accommodations will help them make the appropriate decision to stay at home when they are not feeling well. Faculty are encouraged to work with their department chairs and coordinators to create viable alternatives for missed classes or assignments if necessary. Faculty can address concerns about persistent absences or an inability to keep up with work through Starfish. Further support is available from Student Advocate Martha Cedarholm (mcedarho@pratt.edu) and Vice President for Student Affairs Delmy Lendof (dlendof@pratt.edu).

Students are encouraged to communicate with faculty members about their health and wellness concerns. Students are not required to visit Health Services to be excused from class for any illness.

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) FAQ has Canvas and teaching and learning-related questions and corresponding up-to-date answers. If you are a faculty member with questions about technology, please contact the Technology Desk at services@pratt.edu. If you have questions regarding course scheduling or course administrative issues, please contact your department chair or course coordinator. If you have any questions regarding teaching, course design, online best practices, or Canvas usage for teaching activities (that are not already on the FAQ page), send them to the CTL at ctl@pratt.edu.

At this time all study abroad programs for the fall semester are suspended.

Yes, your existing student visa in your passport should remain valid for future use, until the expiration date printed. There is NOT a five-month rule to be concerned about regarding your visa. For reference, see the Homeland Security guidance: Do students need new visas?

If you are a current student planning to take a leave of absence, we will need to end your current I-20 for the period of leave. You will need to later apply for a new I-20 with updated financial documentation to return to the U.S. to continue your studies. You cannot stay in the U.S. during your leave. You will have to pay a new SEVIS I-901 fee for the new I-20, and your eligibility for practical training (Curricular Practical Training - CPT, and Optional Practical Training - OPT) will be reset. This means you will not be eligible for CPT and/or OPT until 1) after you return to the U.S in your new F-1 status and 2) you are re-enrolled full-time for two full semesters (one academic year) after your return. Students who are close to graduation should consider this carefully. You will not be eligible for post-completion OPT if you restart your status with less than two semesters remaining of required coursework.

The Office of International Affairs (OIA) is closed physically, but we are still providing services remotely. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months from the date signed on page two of your I-20 (six months for alumni on OPT). You can request a new travel signature by writing to oia@pratt.edu and including your name as printed on your passport and Pratt ID number. Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Department of Homeland Security has provided us special authorization to send students I-20s electronically with e-signatures. Any new electronic I-20 you receive will remain valid for your use beyond the COVID-19 emergency, until you need an updated I-20 for another purpose. Please print your I-20 on letter-sized paper and sign it at the bottom so you have a paper copy to carry with you.

No, the F-1 visa inside the passport is only used to enter the United States at a port-of-entry. The visa expiration is not relevant to a student’s ability to study.

Under the new guidance, as a student in their home country taking online classes, you do not need an I-20 for the fall semester. If you want to register for online classes for the fall, please send an email to the Registrar’s office about your return at reg@pratt.edu. If you have an OIA Hold, then please fill out the International Student Form (the ISF) and make the following remark: “I am returning from a leave of absence, taking classes only online, and remaining in my home country. I do not need an I-20.” You would need to request your new I-20 for the semester you return to the United States and Pratt in-person.

We highly recommend students remain full-time enrolled or else your SEVIS record will need to be terminated. We also recommend new students be full-time enrolled in case of future work authorization eligibility.

Students experiencing financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19 should speak with their financial aid counselor about additional aid for which they may be eligible.

Students can find information online, email sfs@pratt.edu, and/or check Starfish for their financial aid counselor information.

Please contact Human Resources by either calling 718.636.3787 or emailing hr@pratt.edu to discuss your work options based on your condition.

Please contact Human Resources by either calling 718.636.3787 or emailing hr@pratt.edu to discuss your work options based on your situation.

Meetings may be held in person, so long as they are following the current campus guidelines in the social contract for masking and cleaning. Members of the community who have not been vaccinated must practice physical distancing.

Outdoor spaces are available on campus. Private offices, workstations, and public rooms can be reserved through 25Live and OnePratt.

Maintaining a partially remote meeting schedule may also be advisable. Specific guidelines are available for classrooms and studios and events and gatherings.