(As of October 2022)
Vaccination Record and Health Requirements
All students planning to enroll in coursework for the Fall 2021 semester and beyond must present evidence of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination and Bivalent booster or documentation for an exemption prior to the first day of classes. Any vaccine accepted by NYC is acceptable. Evidence of vaccination or documentation for an exemption must be uploaded to your myBankStreetConnect (myBSC). When you login to your myBSC, you will be assigned a COVID-19 checklist to enter this information and a form to complete.
Documentation Requirements
Acceptable documents serving as evidence of COVID-19 vaccination may include:
- A completed CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or medical records signed by a licensed health care provider indicating vaccine name and dates of administration; or
- For internationally administered vaccines, licensed healthcare provider signed documentation of dates and name of COVID-19 vaccination.
Exemptions*
This policy shall apply to every student matriculated or enrolled full time or part time in any program, including joint and collaborative programs with other institutions. However, the following exemptions will apply. If any of these exemptions apply, students should submit the documentation described below by uploading them to your myBankStreetConnect (myBSC). When you log in to your myBSC, you will be assigned a COVID-19 checklist to enter this information.
- Students whose entire course of study is entirely web-based, a fully online degree program, and/or fully remote. To qualify, the student must have no physical presence at a Bank Street College of Education location or be required to interact in person with others as part of their studies, including student teaching, internships, or participation in any in-person activities. Students seeking an exemption based upon this criterion should draft a note indicating their plan of study for the year aligned to this and upload it to myBankStreetConnect (myBSC).
- Students may be exempted from the COVID-19 vaccination record requirement if they have a short- or long-term medical condition that would prevent them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. Students must provide a written statement from a healthcare provider licensed to practice medicine in the United States stating that the COVID-19 vaccination would be medically harmful, and giving the reasons for and duration for the exemption request. These written healthcare provider’s statements will become part of the student’s vaccination record. If the medical condition no longer exists, the student must then comply with the vaccination requirement of this policy. The College shall provide reasonable accommodations to those students whose medical condition currently does not allow for the COVID-19 vaccination so long as the failure to be immunized will not prevent the student from fulfilling the essential functions and/or curricular requirements of the academic program. This documentation should be uploaded to myBankStreetConnect (myBSC).
- A student may be considered for exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination record requirement if the student provides a written signed statement explaining how vaccination conflicts with the student’s bona fide religious beliefs or practices along with supporting documentation, such as a letter from an organizational leader associated with the respective religion. A general philosophical or moral objection to vaccination shall not suffice as the basis for exemption on religious grounds. The student shall be required to acknowledge in writing that the student was informed of the value of vaccination and has knowingly declined to have COVID-19 vaccination for religious reasons. The College will review requests and work to provide reasonable accommodations to those students whose religious beliefs bar COVID-19 vaccination so long as the failure to be immunized will not prevent the student from fulfilling the essential functions and/or curricular requirements of the academic program. This documentation should be uploaded to myBankStreetConnect (myBSC).
This policy is subject to change based on factors such as the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance from local, state and federal agencies.
Booster Shot Requirements (as of October 2022)
All eligible in-person students must present evidence of receiving a COVID Bivalent Booster shot. Students are eligible for a booster if it has been at least two months following primary or booster vaccination. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 18 years of age and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 12 years of age and older. Students will be assigned a COVID-19 Bivalent Booster form in myBSC to provide this information.
In some cases, students may qualify for a medical exemption to delay getting the booster because of a prior COVID-19 infection. In that case, or if you have any other concerns about getting the booster, please consult your primary care physician. If you have a current exemption in place for the COVID-19 vaccine, you do not need to resubmit for an exemption for the booster.
Visitors
All visitors to Bank Street’s buildings are required to be fully vaccinated and to have gotten the COVID-19 booster if eligible. Under New York City’s “Key to NYC” policy, proof of vaccination is required for all visitors to Bank Street’s buildings. Bank Street staff and eligible students are required to submit proof of vaccination as outlined in the relevant policy documents. Parents of children in Bank Street’s children’s programs will also be asked to submit proof of vaccination through a secure portal. Other visitors may show the New York Excelsior Pass, New York City’s COVID Safe App, a CDC vaccination card, an NYC vaccination record, or other official immunization record from outside New York.
*Although the College allows for exemptions to the vaccine policy, students must also continue to follow the rules of their workplaces or fieldwork placement sites. Additionally, all students in a program leading to New York State certification require a public school placement. We cannot guarantee that we can find a placement for an unvaccinated student and this could prevent completion of degree requirements and certification.