Faculty and Staff FAQs

Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

As of Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the State of New York has added “in-person college instructors” and anyone over the age of 65 to the list of populations who are eligible to be vaccinated. The complete list of populations currently eligible for the vaccine as part of Phase 1a and 1b is here. Individuals should first establish vaccine eligibility here. This website will generate a list of nearby vaccination sites once eligibility is confirmed. Bard also offers a step-by-step guide for navigating it. Eligible individuals should register for a vaccination appointment via the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form. Another option for scheduling an appointment is through the State’s new COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline, at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

It’s important to emphasize that while faculty teaching in-person classes and anyone over the age of 65 are now eligible to make a reservation for vaccination, demand for vaccines still far outpaces the state’s supply. We encourage eligible employees to register today. 

How can employees get tested for COVID-19?

Beginning in the spring 2021 semester, COVID-19 surveillance testing will be mandatory for all employees working on campus. This testing applies to employees who (1) are actively working on campus, (2) have submitted the new Health Pledge, and (3) pass the daily check-in screening. Remote employees will not be part of the testing pool until they return to campus for work. Learn more about mandatory surveillance testing for on-campus employees.

Please note there is no on-demand testing on campus for employees. Employees should seek testing off campus for all instances except when they are selected for a weekly surveillance test. Employees can get tested locally through their health insurance, and should discuss their options with their primary care physician. You can locate your nearest COVID testing site at this site operated by the New York State Department of Health, or at the Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield Coronavirus Resource Center here.

What health and safety protocols are in place for Bard employees?

All employees will be required to conduct a daily health screening prior to coming to campus, wear face masks, practice physical distancing, and follow all recommended public health guidelines. If concerns arise during the self-administered health screening, they will be required to self-isolate until it is determined that it is safe for them to return.

What happens if a faculty or staff member tests positive?

In the case of a positive test result, contact tracing protocols will be initiated. 

Employees who test positive for COVID-19 or have received a quarantine notice from Bard College or the Department of Health will be required to self-isolate off campus for up to two weeks. 

Employees who test positive must provide medical clearance to the Office of Human Resources before returning to work on campus. A letter from a doctor or health department are both acceptable forms of medical clearance.

I received a mandatory quarantine notice or found out I had contact with someone with COVID-19. What should I do?

Employees who test positive for COVID-19 or have received a quarantine notice from Bard College or the Department of Health will be required to self-isolate off campus for up to two weeks. 

Employees who receive a mandatory quarantine notice cannot return to campus until their clearance date, as provided by Bard College or the health department. There is no ability to test out of a quarantine from close contact exposure.

Do I need to wear a mask on campus?

Yes. Wearing a face mask on campus is mandatory for all students, faculty, and staff. Consistently wearing a face covering has been proven to be one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of COVID-19 (along with physical distancing and hand washing). The College’s policy complies with new public health regulations in New York State requiring any person over age two to cover their nose and mouth with a mask when in a public place and unable to maintain physical distancing. Much of the Bard campus can be classified as a “public place,” so both Bard College policy and New York State face mask regulations apply throughout the Bard community.

Face coverings must be worn in all locations on the Bard College campus, both indoors and out, with the following exceptions only:

1. In a private office when working alone.
2. In your own dorm room and when brushing your teeth or taking a shower (masks must be worn in the hallway between your dorm room and the bathroom), or in your own private family residence.
3. When eating while practicing physical distancing (all Bard community members must wear face masks inside the dining hall at all times, except when seated in any designated dining area). 
4. In a designated mask respite area (which may only be used by one person at a time).
5. For B&G grounds workers only: when working on campus grounds away from buildings and all other people.

The College will coordinate with public health authorities to consider exceptional circumstances.
 
Bard shuttle drivers will refuse entry or ask riders to get off the shuttle if face masks are not worn the entire ride. 

In keeping with New York State regulations, wearing a face mask is also mandatory in all public off-campus locations, including inside all public buildings and businesses and on sidewalks in town.

How will violations of community standards for health and safety be addressed?

The College has established the Bard Cares Team to address instances where students or employees are having difficulty abiding by the community norms of behavior regarding the College’s established COVID-19 protocols. The Team, chaired by Vice President and Dean of the Early Colleges Dumaine Williams, has developed a clear set of steps based in restorative practices to respond to reports seeking assistance, guidance, or a resolution of issues related to compliance with health and safety measures in the Bard community. It also seeks to equip members of the Bard community with information about bystander intervention techniques and other actions we can take to help keep each other safe and accountable. Dr. Williams and other members of the Cares Team can be reached at caresteam@bard.edu. Individuals may use the COVID-19 Incident Report Form to report violations of community health standards related to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and requirements.

 How do I reach out to the Response Team? 

Any member of the Bard community is welcome to send questions or suggestions to the Response Team by email, or to attend our weekly office hours. Every Tuesday afternoon from 4 to 5pm, members of the Response Team will be available on Zoom for anyone who wants to drop by with a question. Please check your Bard email or write to the Response Team at responseteam@bard.edu for Zoom details.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Employees experiencing any symptoms or warning signs of COVID-19 should not report to campus. Inform your supervisor and Human Resources, contact your health care provider (by phone rather than walking in), and follow CDC guidelines.

Are Bard facilities open to the public?

Bard is operating as a closed campus. Access to the campus by members of the surrounding communities and casual visitors is prohibited. Third-party visitor requests will only be approved in exceptional cases and for essential civic activities such as elections, where visitors will be directed to closely controlled facilities operated and cleaned in keeping with New York State and CDC approved COVID-19 protocols. A person who does not live, work, or study at Bard will not be allowed access to campus without prior approval from the College. Signage to this effect is posted at campus access points to alert the Bard community and our neighbors. Local government leaders have been notified that this is a precautionary measure in light of regional upticks in COVID-19 cases, and is intended solely to preserve the health and safety of the Bard community. 

Can I host visitors on campus?

Only requests for urgent and/or essential visitors will be approved until further notice.

• Third-party visitor requests will only be approved in exceptional cases and for essential civic activities such as elections, where visitors will be directed to closely controlled facilities operated and cleaned in keeping with COVID-19 protocols approved by New York State and the CDC. Do not submit a request unless it is urgent or essential to the welfare of our community.
• For the health and safety of our campus community, supervisors must request permission and receive approval for any non-Bard, third-party visitor to campus at this time. This is not required for visitors going into private residences.
• Once approval is received, the authorized visitor will be sent an email from the COVID Check-In Coordinator with a link to the health screening form, which they must complete prior to their arrival on campus.

 Can I plan in-person activities with other members of the campus community?

Campus community members may now begin to plan small, COVID-safe in-person activities. All proposed events must adhere to COVID safety protocols as outlined in the COVID-19 Student Handbook Addendum, as well as any additional protocols needed for each specific event. Students should contact SPARC through the Office of Student Activities by emailing sparcevents@bard.edu. Employees wishing to hold events may apply by filling out the form here. 

 Is Montgomery Place open to the public?

The Montgomery Place grounds will reopen for public access on weekends from dawn to dusk, beginning Saturday, March 6. Visit bard.edu/montgomeryplace for updates as well as virtual exhibitions. The Annandale campus remains closed to the public at this time, except for essential civic activities.

 Is the Stevenson gym open?

Effective March 1, the Stevenson Athletic Center will begin extending hours for student use of the fitness center and allowing faculty and staff use of the pool. Visit bardathletics.com for access and protocols. Please note that the facility remains closed to the public.

Can I travel during the semester?

All nonessential work travel is prohibited for faculty and staff.

• The prohibition on nonessential travel should be extended to the personal lives of everyone in the Bard community: students, faculty, and staff. Examples of essential travel include medical treatment and family emergencies.
• All New York State–­mandated regulations continue to apply to any out-of-state travel, even for essential travel.
• If you travel during the semester for any reason, you may be ineligible to work on campus for a number of days, as determined by the State regulations in force at that time.
• Failure to report out-of-state travel can lead to barring return to or removal from campus.

What are the quarantine requirements if I choose to travel?

New York State has updated its quarantine requirement to enable travelers to test out of quarantine if they submit negative pre- and post-arrival COVID tests, reducing quarantine time to approximately four days. Anyone who is required to quarantine but does not take a pre-arrival COVID test must quarantine upon arrival in New York State. Individuals can end their quarantine after 10 days as long as no symptoms have been reported during the quarantine period. Learn more about the New York State Travel Advisory, quarantine, and testing requirements.