Dear Members of the TC Community,

I hope you are enjoying an enriching Fall semester that is marked by a renewed sense of togetherness with fellow community members. It has been wonderful to greet so many of you in the hallways of campus and to see you gather safely in classrooms, the dining hall and other communal spaces. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our COVID-19 Working Group, our essential staff and all of our community members who are supporting and diligently complying with health and safety protocols, TC is truly “Stronger Than Ever” following our return to campus.

Based on the success of the Fall semester, we are planning to continue in-person instruction and operations for Spring 2022. I want to assure everyone that our priority will remain to ensure a safe and healthy campus environment for all of our students, faculty and employees.

Monitoring and Controlling the Spread of COVID-19 in Our Communities
The COVID-19 Working Group continues to meet regularly to assess health and safety protocols and to review COVID-19 updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York’s city and state governments. To further protect our communities on campus and beyond, the working group recently implemented a weekly Random Testing Program. Modeled after a similar program in place at Columbia University, random testing will help us identify and isolate COVID-19 transmission hotspots and clusters of infections using real-time analytic strategies. Our first cohort of testing participants was selected this week, and we look forward to sharing data as it is available in the future.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots
Vaccines remain our number one defense against the spread of COVID-19, and the COVID-19 Working Group continues to keep us updated on the latest vaccine news. The CDC recently signed off on new booster recommendations for recipients of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson's vaccines. You can find more information on booster shots and where to get vaccinated on the TC Preparedness site. 

Health and Safety Protocols
Last week, the College celebrated our essential staff and, through a Presidential Proclamation, I designated October 21 and 22, 2021, as “Teachers College Essential Staff Days.” Not only did these staff members keep TC operations moving forward during the pandemic, but many continue to uphold the health and safety protocols that made our return to campus possible. They are monitoring indoor air quality, following enhanced cleaning procedures, and providing additional security. I feel safe on campus knowing that these protocols are being faithfully maintained. I am also grateful for all students, faculty, staff and visitors who are adhering to our masking policies indoors, regardless of vaccination status. 

I am deeply thankful that we are able to be together again on campus — and I am thankful to all of you for helping to make it possible. 

Though we must remain vigilant in our fight against COVID-19, I believe the Spring 2022 semester will be a time to refresh our spirits, renew our hopes for the future and continue to reconnect as a community on campus. I look forward to seeing you there!

Before I sign off, I want to remind you that next Tuesday, November 2, is Election Day. To ensure that every member of the TC community has the opportunity to vote, Election Day is an official paid College holiday.

Warmly,

Thomas Bailey
President, Teachers College