NOTE: Pratt Institute is continuing to update this information as details become available. Please continue to visit this site and pay attention to campus email communications with important information.
Vaccine
Effective May 11, 2023, proof of COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters, and exemptions is no longer required for new or current Pratt students, faculty, or staff, and will no longer be a determinator for Pratt ID access.Pratt strongly encourages all community members to remain up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Pratt will continue to follow guidance from the CDC, as well as city, state, and federal directives, and may revise policies if circumstances require.
Throughout the pandemic, we have made informed changes to Pratt’s health-related policies and procedures based on city, state and federal guidelines. Pratt’s Post Pandemic Remobilization Operations (PPRO) taskforce proposed dropping the vaccination mandate to align with the May 11, 2023 expiration of the Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID- 19 declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. Pratt’s senior administration also conferred with peer institutions and health experts, consulted with Pratt’s Faculty Senate, and brought the recommendation to President Bronet and her cabinet, which voted unanimously in light of all available information.
Yes, you should be vaccinated and receive a booster dose regardless of whether you already had COVID-19.
Evidence reported by the CDC shows that people have better protection by being fully vaccinated compared with having had COVID-19. One study showed that unvaccinated people who already had COVID-19 are more than two times as likely as fully vaccinated people to get COVID-19 again.
If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines, but you may consider delaying your next vaccine dose—whether a primary dose or booster—by three months from when your symptoms started; or, if you had no symptoms, from when you first received a positive test.
Reinfection is less likely in the weeks to months after infection. However, certain factors could be reasons to get a vaccine sooner rather than later, such as personal risk of severe disease or risk of disease in a loved one or close contact, local COVID-19 Community Levels, and the most common COVID-19 variant currently causing illness.
See the CDC’s chart for information on when to get a booster shot, how to schedule an appointment, what to expect, and more answers to frequently asked questions.
Health and Safety
Read the Back to Pratt newsletter each week for current health advisories and updates to campus policies and follow the Recent Communications to the Pratt Community.
Following the guidance from the CDC, students, faculty, and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 must wait 5 days to return to campus and must be symptom free for over 24 hours.
Effective Thursday, April 13, 2023, wearing a mask is no longer required anywhere on Pratt’s campuses, including in instructional spaces. Mask wearing is still strongly encouraged and, as a community, we respect and support those who choose to wear a mask. Community members are also strongly encouraged to test if they are experiencing symptoms of the virus or have been exposed to someone with COVID, and to stay home if they are sick.
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 COVID-19 cases on campus.
Do not report to work, class, or other activities on campus if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Community members are also strongly encouraged to test if they are experiencing symptoms of the virus or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Teaching and Learning
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 illness. 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.