Dear Members of the TC Community, 

As we look forward to the beginning of the academic year, we write to inform you of an update on the College’s visitors policy for the Fall semester. The following visitor protocols will go into effect August 16, 2021. In the interim, the College will continue to maintain its current no-visitors policy. 

In order to further support the TC community’s collective efforts in ensuring a safe return to campus, the College will continue to maintain some restrictions regarding visitors while accommodating the value of visiting scholars, exchange programs and other visitors to our academic community. 

Effective August 16, 2021:

• Visitors must complete the Daily Health Screening prior to their arrival on campus in order to gain entry.
   
• Visitors who will be on campus for less than four days must provide either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR COVID test dated within seven days of the visit.
   
• Visitors who will be on campus for more than four days must provide proof of vaccination.
   
• Documentation for visitors will be verified when the visitor enters through the Zankel Hall main entrance. A CDC card, WHO booklet, country-specific COVID-19 vaccination card, Epic Connect record, Excelsior pass or other verifiable document will be accepted as proof of vaccination.
   
• The College will only allow visitors on campus who are 12 years of age or older except for children who are enrolled at the College’s two child care centers or serve as research participants. Additional guidance pertaining to minors on campus can be found in TC’s Policy for the Supervision of Minors on Campus.
   
• Public Safety must be notified of all visitors at least 48 hours before their intended arrival. The visitor registration form should be completed for each day an individual is expecting visitors and may contain multiple visitors for that day. This schedule should be sent to officeofpublicsafety@tc.columbia.edu.

In adherence to the College’s masking policy for all individuals on campus, TC will require that visitors also wear a face covering in most indoor settings on campus regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings will be optional for vaccinated individuals in outdoor settings.

Exceptions to these visitor guidelines will rarely be made and must be approved by either the Provost, the Vice President for Finance and Operations or the Vice President for Administration. Non-degree visiting students (domestic and international) will only be permitted to attend classes that meet in-person with approval of the Provost Office.

Please direct all questions to returntocampus@tc.edu. We thank you for your continued commitment to a safe and healthy return to Teachers College.

Sincerely,

Lisa Seales
Vice President for Administration 
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Working Group
 
Hank Perkowski
Vice President for Finance and Operations 
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Working Group