Back to Pratt: January 31 return to “yellow” and in-person learning (January 21, 2022)

From: Pratt Institute 
Subject: January 31 return to “yellow” and in-person learning

Dear Pratt Community,

A joint group of Pratt’s senior administrators and COVID advisors has made the decision to return to “yellow” campus conditions and in-person learning beginning Monday, January 31.

As you know, the Institute makes a decision like this based on city, state, and CDC guidance, local and campus positivity rates, and the available resources required to maintain a healthy campus. The Institute was able to operate in “yellow” for the entire fall 2021 semester because of the Pratt community’s cooperation and the low positivity rates in the New York City area. At the beginning of January, the significant increase of infections in New York City and within the Pratt community led to a temporary switch to “amber” while the Institute assessed our community’s health and safety needs, with a commitment to return to in-person instruction for the spring 2022 semester as soon as it was safe to do so. Again, your cooperation has been essential.

Next Steps
Please review the online campus conditions chart for detailed information about classes and services at each level. A return to “yellow” conditions means that in-person classes will return to their planned modes of delivery and on-campus events and services will return to the availability we enjoyed in the fall semester. We will provide any additional instructions during the coming week, so that you are well prepared for January 31.

Community Information Session
We encourage you to attend the virtual information session hosted by the Institute this Monday, January 24, from 1 to 2 PM. 

Testing Available
In the meantime, we encourage you to take advantage of the free testing that is available to Pratt students, faculty, and staff on both the Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses from 8 AM to 6 PM on January 24, 25, 26, and 27. This service will continue weekly during the spring semester Monday through Wednesday.

Stay Informed
Again, plans and protocol will most likely continue to evolve throughout this semester. So, please continue to read your Pratt emails and the weekly Back to Pratt e-newsletter, visit the Back to Pratt website where you will find extensive, searchable FAQs and quick COVID-19 help information, or call Pratt’s COVID Helpline at 718.687.5200. 

Sincerely,

Donna Heiland
Interim Provost

Cathy Kenny
Vice President for Finance and Administration

Delmy Lendof
Vice President for Student Affairs