Updated March 2022
We’ve made a number of modifications to our facilities to address specific environmental safety needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Air and Ventilation
Air filters rated MERV-13 or above—which can capture more and smaller particles—are installed across campus in our HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems and replaced regularly. MERV-15 filters (with an even higher capture rate) were already in use in the B Building and in several locations in the C Building.
In all permanent, college-owned buildings, Ultraviolet C (UV-C) disinfecting lighting systems were also installed in HVAC systems. UV-C lighting works within the HVAC system to clean the air; as the air passes through the UV-C light, the protein shell of the virus is broken down, killing the virus. UV-C lighting is not listed as CDC recommendation, but we’ve opted to add this additional level of disinfection for our indoor air supply.
We've also continued to clean and maintain our HVAC systems and perform scheduled maintenance of our cooling towers used during the summer season.
Plexiglass Sneeze Guards
Sneeze guards have been installed at reception areas to protect our staff who regularly come in contact with others as part of their job. This includes Public Safety stations at building entrances; reception desks in departmental offices; transaction counters in the Bursar’s Office, Financial Aid, and Admissions Office; and in the Dental program area. We may install additional sneeze guards in select areas if a need is identified.
Touch-free fixtures and appliances
Touch-free faucets and paper towel dispensers have been installed in all restrooms.
Physical Distancing
[Physical distancing means keeping space of at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) between people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.]
In our campus buildings, floor markers, decals, and other indicators were put in place initially as guidance for physical distancing. Now, because our community population vaccination rate is high -- students and faculty must be fully vaccinated in order to be on-campus - physical distancing is no longer a requirement in classrooms and educational settings as per CUNY guidelines published in January 2022. People who are not fully vaccinated should continue to practice physical distancing.