SVA students and employees no longer have to report a positive test result.

However, employees should email hrbenefits@sva.edu to notify HR if they took sick days, which will be coded as COVID time and will not affect their sick leave.

Note: Starting on May 11, 2023, SVA no longer requires proof of vaccine and booster, but does recommend that community members get the vaccination and booster.

Why should I get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster(s)?

The science behind the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters clearly demonstrates that they are key to stopping the spread of, and serious illness from, the coronavirus and its variants.

Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine? 

Anyone aged six months and older can get the vaccine for free at a walk-up vaccination site. NYC locations are posted here. Students in other states can check here for a list of local vaccination centers. Boosters have varied eligibility requirements that you can review here.

Does SVA provide the COVID-19 vaccine or make me an appointment for the vaccine? 

At this time SVA does not provide the COVID-19 vaccine, but students can contact Student Health and Counseling Services if they would like assistance with accessing the vaccine.

SVA continues to monitor developments around COVID-19 and to adjust our protocols to align with current Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and New York State and New York City mandates. The effectiveness of the vaccine and refinements of treatments have lowered the risk of serious illness, so widespread restrictions have mostly been lifted. In response, SVA has made the following changes to our policy for reporting a positive test for COVID-19:

• If you are a student and you test positive for COVID-19, You do not need to report the information to studenthealthalert@sva.edu.

• If you are an SVA employee and you test positive for COVID-19, you do not need to report the information to employee-health-alert@sva.edu. However, you should email hrbenefits@sva.edu to notify HR if you took sick days, which will be coded as COVID time and not affect your sick leave.

Whenever you are sick with a respiratory virus such as COVID-19, the flu or RSV, please follow these guidelines adapted from the CDC:

• If you need medical care, go to a local Urgent Care Center or contact your primary care doctor. As always, monitor symptoms closely. If you have difficulty breathing, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.
• Remain in your home or your residence hall room on campus for at least 24 hours after:
• Symptoms have significantly improved.
• You have no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medication, Acetaminophen [Tylenol] or Ibuprofen [Motrin/ Advil].
• Take the following precautionary measures for the following five days: 
• Maintain physical distance from others where possible.
• Wear a protective mask or face covering.
• Practice good hygiene, including cleaning high-touch areas, washing your hands frequently, and covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.
• Take steps to support proper air circulation and access to clean air.
• If you reside in SVA Housing:
• Wear a high-quality mask when in the same room as other people.
• Improve ventilation where possible, such as opening windows to increase airflow.  
• Clean high-touch areas and bathroom spaces between uses. 
• Don’t share personal household items like cups, towels and utensils.  
• Residential students may review the full residence hall COVID isolation policy at: https://sva.edu/life-at-sva/campus-life/housing/residence-life/fall-housing-and-covid-19
• Current CDC guidelines to manage respiratory viral illnesses can be found here.

Despite these changes, we remain vigilant about making sure the College remains a safe and healthy place. We still recommend getting COVID-19 boosters and an annual flu shot. If you are sick, stay home. And masks are always welcome at SVA.

Additional Resources:

For information on COVID testing, COVID vaccine boosters, exposure, or precautions, please consult and follow the CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance 

Students needing additional specific health support can reach out to health@sva.edu. Responses are provided during business hours.

Employees needing additional specific health support can reach out to the following resources:

24/7 Emotional Support Resources:

1)  NYC WELL is a free mental health support resource. NYC Well offers English, Spanish or Mandarin speakers and has access to translators in about 200 languages.

Call 1.888.NYC.WELL (1.888.692.9355)

             Text “WELL” to 65173

2)  Crisis Text Line offers free, around-the-clock support. Text “HOME” to 741741.

3)  Cigna Total Behavioral Health For SVA Staff to access services visit the Behavioral Health page on MyCigna.com.

April 14, 2023 Notification

On May 11, 2023, the federal government will no longer classify COVID-19 as a public health emergency, because of a significant decline in daily reported COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths nationwide. These declines have been mirrored in New York City, as you have likely seen in news reports and in our weekly reporting of case rates in SVA Today and on our website.

With this new phase, I am pleased to announce that SVA is making some important changes to our COVID-19 vaccination policy effective May 11, 2023:

Vaccination Requirement and Cleared4

SVA will end its requirement for the COVID-19 vaccination and booster. You will no longer need to provide a daily health attestation through a link to Cleared4. However, to enter SVA buildings, you must continue to swipe your SVA ID at the security desks.

Visitors and Vendors

Visitors and vendors will still need to sign in using the SPLAN system and show proof of ID in order to enter any SVA building. However, they will no longer need to upload proof of vaccination and booster. If you have a visitor, or group of visitors, please provide their name(s) to your building’s security desk in advance of their arrival. The use of Eventbrite to pre-register people for events and exhibitions will be left to the discretion of the host department and the Galleries.

Staying Safe

Despite these changes, we remain vigilant about making sure the College remains a safe and healthy place. We still recommend getting COVID-19 boosters and an annual flu shot. If you are sick, stay home. If you test positive for COVID-19, you still must report by emailing studenthealthalert@sva.edu or employee-health-alert@sva.edu. The isolation procedures we have in place at residence halls will remain until further notice. And masks are always welcome at SVA.

As we approach the end of the 2022-2023 year, I wish to thank you again for your cooperation, patience and diligence in helping to keep our community safe and healthy. I wish you all the best as the year comes to a close.

David Rhodes

President

Dear Members of the SVA Community:

I hope this letter finds you doing well, and that you're having a productive spring 2022 semester.

I am writing today to share with you the decision to allow guest/visitor access to academic and administrative buildings using the SPLAN system for those that meet SVA’s vaccine requirements. This decision is informed by the drop in infections in New York City. Currently, the City’s seven-day positivity rate is below 2.6 percent, and the rate among those who are fully vaccinated is .4 percent.

The current restrictions on visitor access to the residence halls will remain in effect until after spring break. The Office of Residence Life will communicate directly with residential students regarding any additional and further changes to the SVA residence hall guest policy.

Although Governor Hochul has lifted the state-wide mask mandate for indoor dining and certain other indoor activities, SVA, like its peer institutions in New York City, will continue to require the use of masks anytime one is inside an SVA building.  

We will continue to monitor New York City’s infection rate and adjust our COVID policies and protocols accordingly.

Please enjoy a safe and healthy spring break.

Warm regards,

Christopher J. Cyphers, Ph.D

Happy New Year! I hope your spring semester is off to a good start.

In the time since I wrote to you prior to winter break, NYC’s COVID positivity rate has continued to climb. However, these rates appear to have stabilized and are now on the decline. We remain confident that we will be able to return to in-person classes on Monday, January 24.

To ensure everyone’s safety upon the return to in-person classes, some additional measures have been added to SVA’s COVID safety protocols. Specifically, and effective immediately, only essential visitors (i.e., vendors) will be allowed in any campus building. No member of the SVA community will be permitted to bring a guest to campus.  This measure will remain in place until further notice. The SVA Theatre and SVA Chelsea Gallery will continue to operate under their current COVID policies. I am hopeful that this added layer of protection against the virus will be relatively brief.  

The Office of Residence Life has communicated separately with residential students about changes to its guest policies.

To the extent possible, everyone is strongly encouraged to wear a KN95 or N95 mask, or double surgical masks. A supply of surgical and KN-95 masks are available to students and faculty at each security station.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that everyone must receive a booster shot prior to January 24—or as soon as you become eligible—and to upload your updated vaccine card to Cleared4. SVA’s updated vaccination policy may be found here. To report a student COVID infection, please email student-covid-alert@sva.edu; to report a faculty or staff COVID infection, please email employee-covid-alert@sva.edu.

As I noted in my communication before the winter break, the entire SVA community has worked exceptionally hard to keep our COVID infection rates low. With everyone’s help and support, SVA’s positivity rate was less than two percent. Our vigilance and strict adherence to the College’s COVID protocols has kept–and will continue to keep–the SVA community as safe as possible. Thank you for doing your part!

Please keep yourself safe and healthy. Good luck with the start of the spring 2022 semester, and I look forward to our return to in-person classes on January 24.

With all best wishes,

Christopher J. Cyphers, Ph.D.

Provost 

Dear SVA Students:

I hope this note finds you well as you prepare for a well-deserved and restful break.

I want to provide you with an important update on our preparations for the spring 2022 semester, particularly as it relates to the COVID-19 variant, Omicron.

As we are seeing, COVID-19 positivity rates are rising sharply. This is due in part to increased travel during the holiday season and the higher infectivity rate of Omicron. According to the CDC, about 73 percent of new COVID-19 infections are from Omicron. With additional holiday travel and celebrations occurring over the next few weeks, infection rates will continue to increase.

To ensure the continued safety and welfare of all members of the SVA community, we have made the decision to begin the spring semester on January 10, 2022 as planned, but will run all courses online through January 21. In-person classes will start on Monday, January 24. All academic buildings and residence halls will remain open during the winter break and the first two weeks of the semester.  

In addition, all students who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine booster will be required to get one and upload verification to Cleared4 to be able to access SVA’s facilities after Sunday, January 23. You will be receiving an email from Student Affairs with more details about this requirement. You can also find this information on sva.edu.

Academic facilities will be open and available to all students beyond the scheduled end of the semester, to make up for the delayed opening of in-person classes.

All current COVID-related policies at SVA will remain in effect for at least the start of the spring semester. Depending upon the state of the pandemic, you may find during, and upon your return from the winter break, some additional restrictions necessary to ensure the safety and security of the SVA community. 

We are all exhausted from living through this pandemic. But we are in a much different position today than we were a year ago. The CDC notes that 93.4 percent of all New Yorkers have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with 71.1 percent now fully vaccinated. Widely available booster shots are providing even more protection against falling ill with COVID, even with Omicron. If you are not yet boosted, but are eligible for a booster shot, please get the shot during the winter break, and then upload your booster verification to Cleared4. Check here for locations to get the booster and flu shots in New York City. If you were vaccinated outside of the United States, please refer to the CDC guidance for your booster shot eligibility. If you need to get tested for COVID-19, check here for testing locations. And if you do test positive, you must notify the College through this email address: student-covid-alert@sva.edu. Additional protection comes with masking up while in enclosed spaces, appropriate social distancing and proper hand-hygiene. 

The fact that we have had low COVID infection rates, and were thus able to complete the semester in-person, is a direct result of your commitment to following SVA’s vaccination and mask requirements. A huge thank you to all who have helped keep our community safe!  

It is important that during the break you check your SVA email regularly for any additional updates concerning the return to campus in January and the start of the spring 2022 semester.

Please accept my best wishes for a safe and healthy winter break and holiday season. 

Sincerely,

Christopher J. Cyphers, Ph.D.

Provost

Dear SVA Community,

With the fall semester well underway and compliance of our campus-wide vaccine mandate now standing at 98%, I am pleased to provide some important updates that should make everyone’s life at SVA a little easier. 

Building Access

Starting Monday, November 1, SVA will enable academic departments to access facilities with the same hours as before the pandemic. They are as follows:

Weekdays: Regular building hours are 7am-12am. Some facilities (those for graduate departments and fourth-year BFA Fine Arts students) will allow 24-hour access; however one must be inside a building no later than 11pm to remain in the building past closing. 

There will be no access (or reentry) past 11pm. 

Weekends: Regular building hours are 10am-6pm. Some facilities (those for graduate departments and fourth-year BFA Fine Arts students) will allow 24-hour access; however one must be inside a building no later than 6pm to remain in the building past closing. 

There will be no access (or reentry) past 6pm.  

Indoor Dining

Starting Monday, November 1, community members can enjoy indoor dining in the following locations, provided these rules are followed:

     • Diners must remain six feet apart

     • Only un-mask while eating 

     • Clean up after eating

     • Vacate the room after 20 minutes

     • No additional seating is permitted 

380 Second Ave 

804B

808B

825B

(Mon - Fri 9am-10pm)

Closed for cleaning at 1pm and 4pm (15 minutes)

214 East 21st Street

311A (Mon - Fri 9am-10pm)

Closed for cleaning at 1pm and 4pm (15 minutes)

133/141 West 21st Street

703C (Mon - Fri 9am-10pm)

101C (Mon, Wed, Fri 9am-10pm; Tues 2-5pm; Thurs 9am-5pm)

Closed for cleaning at 1pm and 4pm (15 minutes)

132 West 21 St

906E (Mon - Fri 9am-10pm)

Closed for cleaning at 1pm and 4pm (15 minutes)

136 West 21 St

418F (Mon - Fri 9am-10pm)

Closed for cleaning at 1pm and 4pm (15 minutes)

In addition, community members are permitted to eat alone in a private space.

We are able to offer these accommodations because of community compliance and the currently low overall infection rates in New York City. However, these accommodations are subject to change, depending on a number of factors, including community violations, rising infection rates in New York City and at SVA as well as changing guidelines from city, state, and/or federal health authorities.

Sincerely,

Christopher J. Cyphers, Ph.D.

Provost

Dear SVA Students, Faculty and Staff,

I am delighted to welcome you to the School of Visual Arts for the start of the fall 2021 semester. Some of you are experiencing our New York City campus for the first time. Others are returning after many long months of learning and working remotely. Still others have continued to report to work on-site throughout the pandemic to keep our operations running smoothly and safely. I would like to thank all of you for your patience and commitment to SVA throughout this extraordinary time, and to address some questions and concerns you may have.

In recent months, you have received communications about policies and protocols that have been put into place to keep the community healthy, including our vaccine mandate for anyone coming to campus, as well as our requirement for everyone to wear a mask indoors. Vaccinations and masks remain the two most important protections against all known COVID-19 variants, and both are what make it possible for SVA to resume in-person classes and full occupancy of our residence halls safely. These policies, found on the Reopening section of sva.edu, have been developed by our Emergency Management Committee using the latest guidance from the CDC, New York City Department of Health and other health authorities—and with your cooperation, will ensure our community stays as safe as possible. 

Here are some important things to know as we begin the new academic year.

Cleared4

All students, staff and faculty need to use Cleared4, a health-screening platform linked to your SVA ID, to access SVA buildings each day. Cleared4 enables SVA to monitor any COVID-19 symptoms and helps us quickly identify others who might have been exposed if someone has COVID-19. Each day, at least two hours before coming to campus, you will need to complete a Cleared4 health survey via a link sent by email or text. You can also access your link through the Cleared4 tile in your myID dashboard. I ask that you answer these questions honestly and please stay home if you are sick.

This helpful guide and brief video tutorial will help you get started. I appreciate your patience as we all adjust to entering the buildings using this new procedure.

COVID Reporting, Testing and Tracing

While a vaccine-mandated campus can expect lower rates of COVID-19 infection, there are protocols in place for reporting and tracking positive COVID-19 cases. Students who test positive should report a positive test result immediately to student-covid-alert@sva.edu. Faculty and staff members should report a positive test result to employee-covid-alert@sva.edu. Those who are sick should not come to campus. If someone becomes sick on campus they should proceed to the nearest urgent care center for evaluation of their symptoms. For SVA students who appear to be ill, but have not been evaluated at an urgent care center, a staff/faculty member can notify SVA by filing a STAR report at star.sva.edu. 

SVA is following the New York City Department of Health directives for notifications and contact tracing. 

If a person tests positive for COVID and has been on campus, SVA will notify those have been in close contact as defined by public health authorities (within 6 feet for 10 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) without revealing the name of the positive case or details of the exposure.

These members of the SVA community will be instructed to follow important health and safety protocols that are necessary to take care of themselves and prevent further spread of COVID-19 infection to more people. The rules for isolating and quarantining are different for those who are vaccinated and for those still completing their vaccine series. According to current CDC guidelines, those who are vaccinated need not quarantine, but should be tested 3-5 days after exposure. More information about our protocols and where to find a COVID-19 testing site near SVA can be found in the “Health Resources” section of the Reopening page.

Facilities

In preparation for the fall semester, SVA’s Facilities department has enacted strict protocols to ensure the campus buildings and air quality are clean. They include: 

• Frequent cleaning and disinfecting throughout all campus buildings, including wipe-downs of all high-touch surface areas, such as door handles, bathroom surfaces, elevator buttons, etc.
• Flushing and treatment of water lines and tanks. 
• Disinfecting heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and upgrading to high-efficiency MERV-13 filters to help reduce the transmission of airborne viruses and bacteria.
• The implementation of industrial-grade air purifiers in rooms without HVAC systems (such as interior classrooms).

In closing, I want to acknowledge that this is an exciting but also a potentially anxious time for many of you as you begin to return to our NYC campus and interact with a larger population than you have for a long time. As we transition back, it’s important to share your concerns to others and avail yourself of help, if needed. Student Health & Counseling Services has shared these helpful tips for maintaining mental health. Here are additional resources at SVA.

Student Health and Counseling Services

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

International Student Office

I wish you all the best as you begin the 2021-2022 academic year at SVA.

David Rhodes

President

School of Visual Arts

Dear SVA Student:

The fall 2021 semester is fast approaching, and my colleagues and I are extremely excited to welcome you to SVA, whether this will be your first time on the SVA campus or you are a returning student. For those of you who are unable to travel to New York, and will be with us online, we look forward to working with you to continue your studies.

This is my final scheduled communication with you before the start of the fall semester, so, I want to take this opportunity to provide you with the latest information you will need to return to campus. Please remember that all updates on SVA’s reopening can be found at sva.edu/reopening. 

Much has been reported in the American and foreign press about the COVID-19 variants, most notably the Delta variant. The important statistic to note is that 99.9% of those people now contracting COVID-19 are unvaccinated. Vaccinations and masks remain the two most important protections against all known variants, and both are what make it possible for SVA to open safely to in-person classes and full occupancy of our residence halls. Science has demonstrated that full vaccination, in combination with masks, make it quite safe to attend school and do nearly all the things possible we enjoyed before the pandemic.  

As I shared with you back in June, all members of the SVA community need to provide proof of vaccination by uploading their WHO-authorized COVID-19 vaccine cards to this secure portal. Also, everyone will be required to wear a mask while inside any SVA building. If you have not already done so, please submit your vaccine record or temporary exemption request. All students who receive an exemption are required to comply with regular testing and other policies. 

Students who receive a temporary exemption must begin their vaccine series as soon as possible. In order to enter any SVA building, students will need to be fully vaccinated (two weeks after your final dose) or have a negative PCR test result from the previous 7 days in the secure portal. Please keep in mind the date that you intend to come to campus and provide several days for your information to be processed by staff in Student Health and Counseling Services. For questions contact student-covid-alert@sva.edu.

Please remember that you will not be granted access to buildings without your SVA-issued ID card, and you will be required to swipe your ID at card readers located at each entrance. You will also need to complete a brief daily questionnaire about possible symptoms or exposure to someone who has COVID-19. Keeping SVA safe and healthy is a shared responsibility. If you are sick, do not come to campus. More on this will follow in a separate communication from the College.  

It is important to note that your COVID-19 related clearance is linked to your SVA ID card, so please remember to keep your card with you at all times.

I should point out that once you’ve completed your COVID-19 vaccine series, you will have access to all the wonderful places that make New York City so vibrant and exciting. You will be required to show your COVID-19 vaccine card to dine in a restaurant, hang out in a cafe, go to the movies or a concert, visit our world-class museums and other cultural institutions or participate in an in-person internship.  

What follows is specific information from individual departments and offices related to the final preparations you need to complete before the start of the school year.

Registration and Advisement 

If you do not already have an SVA-issued ID card, you must submit your photo or request a card reprint by submitting the ID Card Request Form. Note that you will need to be logged in to your MyID account to submit the form, and there is a link on your MyID dashboard to access the form directly. You will be contacted when your ID is available for pick-up at the Registrar’s Office.

The official Course Adjustment (add/drop) period will take place September 7 - 14. Course adjustment will be conducted remotely using the online Course Adjustment Request Form, which will be available at sva.edu/registrar beginning September 7.

Students are encouraged to avoid scheduling an online class immediately before or after a class that meets on campus. There will be limited space available on campus for students to participate in classes remotely, and availability will vary by demand. A list of open spaces will be published on sva.edu/registrar before the semester begins.

Your current schedule can be viewed on MyServices, and you should review your schedule regularly. Note that MyServices displays course times in New York (Eastern Daylight, GMT-4) time. Please note this detail if you are studying in a different time zone.

Please review SVA’s official attendance policy in the SVA Handbook and note that students who are marked absent for one-third or more of the scheduled sessions of a course will be withdrawn from the class with a grade of “W”. 

If you have any questions, please contact registrar@sva.edu or your academic advisor.

International Students

All international students should have received an email notification from the International Student Office (ISO) about travel and U.S. entry requirements as a new student, continuing student, or a student returning from a leave of absence. Please be sure to review that announcement and contact iso@sva.edu if you have any questions.

Student Accounts 

As you prepare for the start of the fall semester, Student Accounts is available to help you and your family with any questions regarding tuition and fees, billing statements, and making payments. You can find helpful resources regarding the SVA payment plan, tuition insurance option, and a list of most frequently asked questions at sva.edu/studentaccounts. Feel free to contact the office by email at studentaccounts@sva.edu.

Financial Aid

Financing your education can be complicated at the best of times and many of you may be experiencing additional financial hardship as a result of the pandemic. Financial Aid is here to help you navigate the various resources in meeting the costs of attending SVA, whether that be need-based FAFSA aid, merit-based scholarship opportunities, or credit-based loans. You can view general information about types of financial aid, FAQs, as well as video tutorials at sva.edu/fa. If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to ask; you can contact the office at fa@sva.edu.

Residence Life 

All SVA residence hall students must be vaccinated with a WHO-authorized COVID-19 vaccine beginning in the Fall 2021 semester. International residential students who are arriving in the U.S. with limited/no access to vaccines in their home country and who also plan to be vaccinated in the U.S., must submit and be approved for a temporary exemption through Student Health & Counseling Services and are required to be vaccinated within 1-2 days of their arrival.

The religious/medical exemption policy does not apply to the SVA residence halls.

Any residential student arriving to the U.S. via international air travel must submit a negative COVID-19 test prior to check-in, regardless of vaccination status. All unvaccinated students, with temporary exemptions, will participate in required COVID-19 testing, within 3-6 days of their check-in at any SVA residence hall.

Our return to campus will be an exciting one. At the same time, after having been operating remotely for the last 18 months, there is likely to be the occasional bump in the road. Just as we went through the worst of the pandemic together (sometimes having to adjust course with little notice) we will go through the reopening process together. We are prepared for a number of contingencies. Should circumstances change, you can rest assured that the College will communicate with you.

Safe travels to New York.

Wishing you all the best,

Christopher J. Cyphers, Ph.D.

Provost

Dear SVA Student:

I hope this letter finds you well and that you are enjoying the beginning of summer. The start of the fall 2021 semester is just less than three months away. As noted in my previous letters to you, SVA will be open for in-person classes. SVA’s residence halls will be open to capacity. Questions concerning student housing for the fall should be directed to reslife@sva.edu.  

Since I last wrote to you, some important changes have occurred with regard to vaccinations and updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York State Department of Health COVID-19 guidelines and policies. These updates have changed slightly how the College will conduct the fall 2021 semester.

First and foremost, every member of the SVA community must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide a copy of their vaccination record, unless they meet specific criteria. The College will accept any vaccine currently authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Follow this link to obtain a list of authorized COVID-19 vaccines. Starting now, you may upload a digital copy of your vaccination record to this secure portal. Forms for requesting a medical or religious exemption from SVA’s vaccination policy may also be found via the portal.

The COVID-19 vaccination requirement goes into effect on Sunday, August 1, 2021. Again, you may begin uploading your vaccination documentation now.

International students who have been—or who are—unable to obtain one of the WHO-authorized vaccines in their current location may still travel to the U.S. and begin the vaccination process here in New York. If you need additional time due to lack of availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in your current location, you must complete a Temporary Exemption form here. New and returning international students with an initial I-20 may arrive in the U.S. 30 days prior to the start of the fall 2021 semester (Sunday, August 8). Starting the vaccination process in New York upon your arrival will allow you to begin classes on Wednesday, September 8. Students who are in the process of being vaccinated may attend classes if they are granted Temporary Exemption by filling out the above-mentioned form.

At this time, masks will be required on campus for the fall 2021 semester. Because all but a handful of students and faculty will be fully vaccinated, social distancing in classrooms, studios and labs is no longer necessary. Therefore, class sizes will return to their pre-pandemic levels. Computer-based courses taught in SVA labs will, as a consequence, not be conducted in a hybrid format; all such classes will be taught fully in-person.

Please remember that all Art History and Humanities and Science courses will be conducted online for at least the fall semester.

Please note that anyone who has been granted an exemption from SVA’s vaccination policy, or who is, by the start of the fall 2021 semester, not fully vaccinated, must wear a mask anytime they are in an SVA building, maintain social distancing and be subject to COVID-19 testing. The specifics of this policy will be made shortly and communicated to all students.

Nearly all travel restrictions to the U.S. have been lifted, and embassies and consulate offices in countries such as China have begun to reopen. Students are receiving appointments and obtaining their F-1 visa. Anyone with questions about the process for obtaining a visa should contact the International Student Office (ISO) at iso@sva.edu.

We understand that there will be international students who cannot, for one reason or another, travel to the U.S. in time for the start of the fall 2021 semester. SVA is planning to offer a limited number of fully online classes for first- and second-year students.

• If you are an international student and anticipate difficulty traveling to the U.S., please contact ISO (iso@sva.edu) so that your request for fully online studies for the 2021 – 2022 academic year can be tracked. Graduate international students may notify their academic department directly.
• If you are a domestic student and are interested in taking first- and second-year classes online, please contact your academic advisor as soon as possible to discuss online opportunities for the 2021 – 2022 academic year.

To further explain these changes to policies and procedures and answer student questions, my colleagues and I will be hosting two town-hall meetings. I will, in a separate email, provide the dates and times of these meetings, along with a registration link.

Please remember that you can always visit SVA’s reopening page for the latest information regarding COVID-19 related policies and procedures: sva.edu/reopening.

Please take a few minutes to watch these two videos about what you can expect upon your return to SVA in the fall, and our ongoing efforts to ensure that all members of our community remain safe.

We’re Back Video

Keeping SVA Safe Video

I look forward to keeping you up-to-date throughout the summer on the constantly evolving plans for SVA’s return to in-person classes, and to welcoming you on campus this fall. 

All best wishes,

Christopher J. Cyphers, Ph.D.

Provost

Good Afternoon,

Earlier this year, we informed the SVA community about our plans to return to in-person learning in the fall, with some classes remaining online. Achieving this goal is a shared responsibility. Members of SVA’s Emergency Management Committee are continuing their diligent efforts to ensure our community is as safe as possible. Classrooms are being sanitized, outfitted with upgraded air filtration and prepared for safe social distancing; and new COVID-19 testing protocols are being developed, among a number of other measures. And now that the vaccine is available in the U.S. to all those 16 and over, we have made the important decision that the vaccine will be required for all members of the SVA community. 

For the fall semester, all students and employees will be required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination in order to attend in-person classes, study or work on SVA’s campus. There is no cost for you to get the vaccine. Eligibility information and vaccine appointment information are posted at sva.edu/reopening. 

Many of you, particularly those of you living outside of the United States, likely have questions about obtaining the vaccine and verification. By June 15, you will be receiving information about how to submit the required documentation, as well as information on applying for a medical or religious exemption. 

Requiring the vaccine, along with other measures SVA has put into place, such as wearing appropriate face coverings and social distancing, will help prevent the spread of the virus in the SVA community and help keep everyone safe.

Thank you for your hard work and continued efforts in dealing with this pandemic as we move SVA closer and closer to normal operations.

Stay well, and stay safe.

David Rhodes

President, SVA

March 16, 2021 Notification

Planning Update for the 2020-2021 SVA Academic Year

Dear SVA Student:

This letter comes to you on the one-year anniversary of our transition to remote learning, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been, to say the very least, a difficult and confusing year for every member of the SVA community—but most especially for you, our students. Besides some of the obvious challenges that come with learning and creating art online, there has been loss, as well as a sense of isolation and disconnection that many of us have experienced this past year. I commend you for your fortitude and resilience in the face of such significant challenges.

But with the arrival of spring comes some very promising news regarding the major efforts underway to bring the pandemic under control in the United States, and for us to see a return of our lives to some semblance of normalcy, as is the case for much of the world. First and foremost is the rollout of several different COVID-19 vaccines, all of which are very effective at providing immunity to the virus, including most of the known variants you’ve heard about in the news. Eligibility and accessibility to the vaccine is increasing daily, with current projections indicating that all adults in the US will be able to be vaccinated in the summer. The vaccination program in the US and other countries does not, however, mean an immediate return to life as we knew it before the pandemic. We will still need to take precautions to protect ourselves and our friends and families.

With this in mind, I want to update you on our ongoing plans for the reopening of SVA to in-person classes for the fall semester. I would like to provide you with a bit more detail on what the fall semester will look like:

INSTRUCTIONAL MODALITIES

• Fully online classes in Art History and Humanities & Sciences will continue for the 2021-2022 school year, as well as certain lecture-based classes in your major.
• Fully online classes will be offered for international students who cannot travel to the US because of visa issues or travel restrictions.
• Hybrid classes will be offered in most courses that are taught in a computer lab. In order to limit capacity to 8-10 individuals in a lab, groups will alternate: half the class will meet in-person one week, while the other half follows along online; the following week, those who followed online will be in class, and so forth.
• Most studio classes will meet in-person, with a class size of between 10-12 individuals.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

• SVA plans to open all its residence halls to capacity, with students sharing common spaces and bathrooms. Determinations on changes to other policies for the 2021-2022 year (guest visitation, other interim COVID-19 policies) will be made and announced in early to mid-summer, guided by and in conjunction with New York State COVID-19 guidelines, CDC recommendations and vaccine availability. 
• Space will be available for students who need to quarantine.
• Returning students who are interested in housing placement for the 2021-2022 academic year may email: reslife@sva.edu to inquire about housing placement options.

STUDENT HEALTH AND COUNSELING SERVICES

• SVA’s Office of Student Health and Counseling Services continues to provide free and confidential short-term services for current undergraduate and graduate students via secure and remote video sessions.
• To set up a meeting with a clinician or for assistance with accessing additional health resources you may email: health@sva.edu

PREVENTION, VACCINATIONS, AND TESTING

• Anyone who enters an SVA building will be required to wear an approved face covering and to follow all posted policies and protocols including requirements for physical distancing
• Every member of the SVA community is strongly encouraged to receive a full course of one of the three COVID-19 vaccines that has emergency use authorization (EUA) through the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or an acceptable equivalent of those vaccines administered outside the US.
• SVA community members that will be on campus this fall will need to comply with requirements for initial COVID-19 testing and ongoing surveillance testing. SVA will make necessary arrangements for these tests, there will be no cost to you or your health insurance for the tests. More details on SVA’s testing protocols will be provided as we get closer to the start of the semester.
• Throughout the pandemic, SVA has followed the continually evolving guidance of New York State for quarantine as well as isolation of people who have COVID-19. SVA reports cases of COVID-19 among community members recently on campus to the New York City Department of Health and has notified close contacts at SVA of their need to quarantine. SVA files a daily report to New York State and that information is available publicly at this New York State Department of Health page.

TRAVEL TO THE US

• It is our hope that most, if not all, travel restrictions into the US will by the summer be lifted or significantly relaxed, and that once all U.S. Embassies and Consulates resume normal operations, that student visa issuance is prioritized. This will allow international students to participate in the fall semester in-person.
• For students unable to travel to the US because of visa issues or the continuation of travel restrictions for certain countries, SVA will continue to offer remote learning.
• Stay in contact with the International Student Office at iso@sva.edu for updates.  

We have heard from a number of our Asian students concerns about the wave of anti-Asian activities in several American cities. A week ago, SVA’s leadership sent all students a letter https://sva.edu/features/reopening-sva condemning all verbal and physical attacks against Asians of all national and cultural backgrounds. Please know that SVA is committed to providing all students with a safe place to study and live. Our new Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Jarvis Watson, is working to create venues for students to express their concerns about these anti-Asian activities—and discrimination and harrassment of all types.

I will continue to communicate with you every month to provide the latest updates on SVA’s reopening plans. We will also plan to conduct several Webinars later this spring with additional details about the College’s reopening. Students will have the opportunity to submit questions.

In the meantime, take good care. As I have said all along, we will continue to get through this time of unparalleled challenges together.

All the very best,

Christopher J. Cyphers, Ph.D.

Provost

We Stand In Solidarity With Our Asian Communities

The SVA community condemns the recent acts of violence toward members of New York’s many Asian communities, and we stand in solidarity with these communities, which have been the victims of senseless physical violence, verbal abuse, cyber threats and harassment. There are indications that this increase in anti-Asian behavior is partly related to the mistaken belief that China is to blame for the COVID pandemic. Within the last year there has been a rise in the number of attacks in our city and in other parts of the country.  

We at SVA strive to create brave, safe and affirming spaces for our community members to freely express themselves through their art, voices, identities and culture. We stand by our core values of diversity and inclusion, and participation in the global creative community. Stereotypes and harassment are incongruent with these values. We understand that these vile acts have painful social and emotional consequences that cause fear, and we empathize with and share our deepest sympathies for the victims of these actions. 

Students seeking support are encouraged to reach out to our Student Health and Counseling Services. Current undergraduate and graduate students may request a secure, online video appointment with one of SVA's licensed therapists by filling out this form or emailing health@sva.edu. Short-term counseling services are available free of cost, even if you waived SVA's student health insurance plan. Spring 2021 appointments are between 9am-3pm (Eastern Time) Monday-Friday.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to take advantage of the mental health benefits that are a part of SVA’s two health insurance plans. For support for anyone, 24 hours a day/7 days a week, there are also the following resources: 

For people living in New York City, NYC WELL provides free mental health support in English, Mandarin, and Spanish and has access for translators in about 200 languages. Call 1.888.NYC.WELL (1.888.692.9355), text WELL to 65173 or chat here. 

The Samaritans organization operates a confidential hotline when you need someone to talk to. Call 212.673.3000.

Crisis Text Line offers free, around-the-clock support. Text HOME to 741741.

Information about crisis hotlines around the world can be seen here.

SVA is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment free from discrimination and harassment. Any incidents of bias, discrimination or harassment within the SVA community should be reported via this form, or by contacting Laurel Christy, Title IX Coordinator, lchristy@sva.edu.

Resources:

On March 15, there is a free webinar called “Bystander Training to Stop Anti-Asian and Xenophobic Harassment," for members of the community who wish to learn more about how to identify and respond to harassment. Register at: “Stop Anti-Asian and Xenophobic Harassment.”

Additional support resources are available through the following sources:

Stop AAPI Hate

Act to Change

https://acttochange.org/#about

SVA’s Response to Incidents:

The Office of Student Affairs is collaborating with the International Student Office and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to create a private session for students to share their concerns and thoughts regarding these recent anti-Asian incidents. These offices, together with SVA Galleries and the Visual Arts Press, are developing an additional initiative called the “SVA Solidarity Initiative.” This initiative is for students to create and submit works of art that represent community and solidarity with all members of SVA’s Asian community. Please look for an email that will be sent out on Friday, March 12.

Racism, bigotry, discrimination and harassment are neither tolerated, nor accepted at SVA. We stand by our core values, our mission and with all members of our community. 

Sincerely,

David Rhodes, President

Anthony P. Rhodes, Executive Vice President

Christopher Cyphers, Provost

Jarvis M. Watson, Ed.D., Director, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Frank Agosta, Executive Director, Human Resources, Title IX Officer

Laurel Christy, Associate Director, Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator

Kaori Uchisaka, Director, International Student Office

Bill Martino, Director, Office of Student Affairs

Christine Gilchrist, Associate Director, Student Health and Counseling Services

February 10, 2021 Notification

Dear SVA Student:

Greetings. I hope your spring semester is off to a great start, and that you are keeping yourself healthy and safe. After living nearly a year in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, and all the disruption to our lives it has caused, there is some glimmer of hope that by summer, life might return to some semblance of normalcy. The rollout of two very effective vaccines (with the hope of others to follow) to large segments of the population, and the continuation of social distancing and mask wearing, are vital to bringing the pandemic under control.

What does this mean for SVA and you? It is our plan to return to in-person classes on our NYC campus for the fall 2021 semester. At the undergraduate level, art history and humanities and sciences classes will, with a few exceptions, be conducted online. Doing so will allow us to free up space necessary to accommodate smaller studio class sizes, thereby making it possible for students and faculty to properly social distance. We also hope that by September, we will be able to reopen our galleries and the SVA Theatre.

Moreover, for the 2021-22 academic year, SVA expects that the residence halls will resume shared and normal room occupancy. Policies for residence hall guests, the use of masks, and social distancing, for example, will be set by early summer and will be informed by guidance from New York State health officials.

The Office of Residence Life will, during the last week of February, contact students regarding the 2021-22 room selection process. If you have questions about any aspect of residence life, please email reslife@sva.edu. It is suggested that you check the Residence Life section of the College’s website for updates and FAQs. 

Undergraduate students will be emailed information regarding registration for summer 2021 and the 2021-22 academic year during the week of February 22. Graduate students will be contacted by their departmental advisors. Students currently on a leave of absence will be emailed soon with instructions on how to get registered for the upcoming year.

SVA’s Pandemic Recovery Team is considering policies concerning COVID-19 vaccine and testing requirements for those attending in-person classes for the fall semester. We understand everyone is eager to have more information about these items, and we assure you that it will be done carefully and distributed to you immediately upon its completion. 

The Biden-Harris administration offers hope for renewed visa policies that are more welcoming to international students. The US Embassies and Consulates abroad are expected to resume routine visa processing as soon as they are able. For now, the COVID-19-related US entry restrictions remain in place. Please refer to the International Students, International Travel section for the latest updates, and stay in touch with the International Student Office at iso@sva.edu.  

I have learned from your VASA representatives that students would like more frequent communication from the College about our fall reopening plans. Therefore, I will be providing an update, similar to this one, every three weeks.

It has been a very difficult year for each and every one of us. The SVA faculty, staff, and administration are eager to return to campus to do what we do best: educate and support the work, goals and aspirations of our students.

I wish you all the very best, thank you for your continued patience and resilience, and look forward to welcoming you back to NYC and SVA.

Sincerely,

Christopher J. Cyphers, Ph.D.

Provost

November 20, 2020 Notification

As the Thanksgiving holiday and end of the fall semester approaches, SVA’s Emergency Management Committee wishes to send to you some helpful reminders about staying safe and healthy during the holiday season and beyond.

As you’re probably aware, on November 18 the New York City Department of Education moved to fully remote instruction, following a 3% infection rate trending over seven days throughout the city’s five boroughs. Because SVA’s campus resides in a part of Manhattan where infection rates are currently less than 2%, we have made the decision to continue to keep our facilities open safely for the limited number of students and staff currently accessing campus. Our plan for reopening also follows New York State’s guidelines for higher education, where a 5% infection rate on campus would dictate building closures to anyone but essential employees and resident students. With only three COVID-positive cases currently reported among SVA community members recently on campus, we are far below that threshold. 

Of course, things can change at any time, particularly in the weeks following the Thanksgiving holiday, when new guidelines from the CDC and state could alter the way schools and businesses operate. You have already received information about the state’s latest guidance about traveling this week, and how to quarantine, if needed. We would also like to reinforce the following, for those who are using campus facilities.

—Wear a mask, and maintain six feet of distance from others.

—Wash your hands frequently, or use hand sanitizer located throughout the campus buildings.

—If you are feeling sick, have a fever, or have any COVID-19 symptoms, stay home.

—Answer the questions on the SVA Safe app truthfully and accurately prior to your arrival, and if you do not receive the green "ALL GOOD" badge on the SVA Safe app, stay home. 

—Get tested for COVID monthly.

SVA has been able to remain open this fall because community members have been abiding by these health and safety measures. We ask that everyone remain vigilant about protecting your own health and the health of the community.

Have a happy and healthy holiday,

SVA’s Emergency Management Committee

November 5, 2020 Notification

Greetings:

I hope this letter finds you and your families safe and healthy. When I wrote to you a couple of weeks ago, I indicated I would advise you about SVA’s plans for the spring semester sometime around Thanksgiving.

I write to you today to provide you with that update now. As you may well know, the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. and Europe has hit all-time highs. Today, the number of new infections reached a single-day high of 100,000. The scientific and public health communities predict a very bad situation this winter. Moreover, a vaccine for the virus seems unlikely much before April or May.

It is in light of these grim predictions that the College has decided to continue online instruction for the spring 2021 semester. The spring semester will begin on Monday, January 11, 2021; it will be a regular, 15-week term; unlike this fall semester, a typical 3-credit course will meet for 2 hours and 50 minutes—instead of 3 hours and 20 minutes. And, many classes will be a mix of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Spring break will remain as scheduled (March 1 – 7), and the semester will end as scheduled on Monday, May 3.

As we did this fall, SVA will not charge students departmental or course fees, even if students use their departmental facilities during the spring term.

Importantly, students will have access to academic facilities such as studios and computer labs, as they do now, in accordance with the guidelines established for facilities access in place for the current semester. 

It is also worth noting there is space available in the SVA residence halls. All students in the residence halls enjoy single occupancy. For more information about campus housing options, please contact reslife@sva.edu.

If international students who plan to travel to New York for the spring semester have any questions, please contact iso@sva.edu.

I will be back in touch with each of you towards the end of this semester with more details about the spring term. Again, we felt it important to let you know of our plans for the spring as soon as possible so that you may plan accordingly.

I hope your fall classes are going well, and we all ask that we please remain safe and healthy.

Wishing you all the best,

Christopher J. Cyphers, PhD

Provost

November 2, 2020 Notification

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

The potential for civil unrest tied to tomorrow’s election is a concern. Many of you have probably already seen businesses in New York City applying plywood to storefronts and taking other measures to protect their employees and property. In the interests of protecting the safety and well-being of everyone in our community, all non-residential SVA facilities will be closed at noon tomorrow, November 3, through Friday, November 6, to everyone but essential employees. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes. 

For those on or near campus, be aware that the NYPD is considering implementing "freeze zones" restricting movement for pedestrians and automobiles in the area from 14th to 23rd streets along Broadway, Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. 

SVA residents should follow instructions in separate communications from Residence Life.

Stay safe and well,

SVA Emergency Management Committee

This notification was edited on 11.04/20.

Dear SVA Students:

I hope this email finds you well and that you are enjoying the last few weeks of your summer break.

On August 12 I wrote the SVA community to announce the College’s difficult decision to conduct all fall 2020 classes online. In that letter, I noted that there were a couple of exceptions to the all-online plan: SVA’s residence halls will be open (at roughly 30 percent of capacity), and the College’s academic facilities will be open to currently matriculated undergraduate and graduate students who plan to be in NYC. No fees will be charged to access academic facilities for the fall 2020 semester.

In brief, most labs, private studios, open studios and makers’ spaces located in SVA’s various academic buildings will be accessible to students who will be in New York for the fall semester. Access to these facilities will be restricted to 9am-10pm, Monday-Friday. Weekend hours will be considered once the semester has started.

We will keep the campus open for as long as it is safe to do so. There may be times when the College will be forced to close by public health authorities. While some instances of closure may be due to metrics that are beyond our control at SVA, a great deal of how long we can stay open will be decided by the actions of the people who come to campus. Staff have worked diligently to make sure that the proper precautions are in place. We need those of you coming to campus to join us in protecting your health and the health of other SVA community members. 

There will be numerous conditions attached to access to academic facilities, which are detailed in an agreement, found here, that every student wishing to use College facilities must read thoroughly, provide some basic information, sign and submit as directed on the agreement form. Importantly, students will be required to download and activate the “SVA Safe” app and respond, prior to entering any SVA building, to a series of health-related questions. Your responses will either produce a green badge or a red badge. Only those with a green badge will be granted access to SVA buildings.

The most important requirements for anyone entering upon any College property will be to properly wear a face covering at all times, even when in a private studio, and to observe all social distancing requirements at all times. Finally, if you do not feel well, no matter your condition, do not come to the SVA campus! Let’s all work together to protect the health and safety of everyone at our College and in the greater community.

Sincerely,

Christopher J. Cyphers, Ph.D.

Provost

Dear members of the SVA community:

It is with regret and disappointment that I write to update our students, faculty and staff that the College will not open to in-person classes on Monday, September 28, as originally planned. Instead, all undergraduate and graduate programs will for the fall 2020 semester be conducted fully online. This decision, as I explain below in greater detail, is informed by a single guiding principle: to do all we can to ensure the health and safety of every member of the SVA community. Your welfare is paramount. Opening fully in-person at this time has the potential to put all of us at an unnecessary risk for exposure to COVID-19.

Every decision we have made since March—and will continue to make—about how to operate the College during this pandemic has been informed by the expert guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York State and New York City health officials.

Moreover, we do not believe, given the current state of the pandemic and the strong likelihood of a “second wave” of the virus hitting New York later this fall, that we can provide our students with the fullest, most robust campus experience. The campus life and academic experience would be significantly restricted. 

However, by committing now to this decision to conduct the fall semester fully online, we are all in the best possible position to provide students with an enriching academic experience, without interrupting their progress toward their degrees. The full range of our course offerings will be available for the fall semester, in addition to a wide variety of public lectures, gallery exhibitions and student life activities delivered virtually.

Because all classes will be conducted online, the College will waive all departmental and course fees for all students for the fall 2020 semester. SVA Student Accounts will make available online updated tuition statements that will reflect the waiver of these fees.

The faculty have for well over a month been preparing their online classes, and there still remains six weeks until the start of the fall semester. What is more, we all learned a great deal from the transition we were forced to make at the start of the pandemic. The result of this preparation and from lessons learned, together with the benefit of the time remaining before the start of the semester, will be high quality classes that combine “synchronous” learning (through Zoom), with robust asynchronous content (using Canvas and other online tools). We are also setting class times so that those living in different time zones will not have to be up in the middle of the night to attend class via Zoom.

There are some exceptions to this fully online plan. The SVA residence halls will remain open and can accommodate a limited number of students whose situations make it extremely difficult or impossible for them to return to or study at home. Access to academic facilities, such as labs, studios and makers’ spaces will be available on a limited and appointment-only basis, with priority given to seniors for whom access to facilities is necessary to complete theses and final projects.

A great many folks at SVA, faculty and staff alike, worked tirelessly to plan for both an in-person and an online fall semester. We desperately wanted to provide an in-person experience for those students who planned to come to New York in the fall, while department chairs and the faculty also began the process of making it possible for students who couldn’t make it to the city to study full-time online. The College’s leadership team is so grateful to all who worked so hard to put together this very complex puzzle.

So, what changed since I wrote to you a month ago, and how did these changes lead us to the decisions outlined in this letter? While New York has been successfully driving down the COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, intubation and death rates, the virus has been increasing at an alarming rate elsewhere across the country. To protect itself against the further spread of the virus, New York began to require residents from states where the positivity rate exceeded 5% to quarantine in New York for 14 days. Initially, 13 U.S. states and territories were on the travel advisory list. Within less than two weeks, the list grew to 35 U.S. states and territories—added to that are the many individuals traveling to New York from many parts of the world.  

In the last week, the New York State Governor’s Office announced plans to open the city’s public schools to in-person classes. As part of New York City’s reopening plan for schools, several very strict provisions are included. First, if the city’s positivity rate (based on testing) hits 3%, schools must close immediately. The current positivity rate has been roughly 1%; it would not take much to reach the 3% threshold. Second, if as few as two individuals in a single building test positive for COVID-19 or are symptomatic, we would be forced to close that building for 14 days, and all those with whom the infected individuals may have come into contact would be required to quarantine for 14 days. Testing and the timely return of results are essential to maintaining a safe campus environment. At present, the return of test results is taking between seven to 10 days. To have members of our community, potentially infected with the virus, interacting with one another while they await test results is a recipe for disaster.

What does all this mean if you are a student? Undergraduate students should be in touch with their academic advisor to finalize or adjust their fall schedules. The College Registrar has been working closely with the undergraduate advisors to update the course listings through MyServices. Your department chair may be in touch with you regarding the particulars of the fall semester. Graduate students should be in touch with their department chair to receive the latest information about course offerings and schedules. 

Most students can expect to receive an email from Student Accounts regarding updated tuition statements, and some will receive an email from the Student Affairs/Residential Life regarding fall housing options.

I will also continue to update you as circumstances warrant.

To members of our faculty: I will be communicating separately with members of the SVA faculty with additional information and further guidance on the fall 2020 semester. Faculty members will also receive communications from their department chair of record.

To members of our administration and staff: Frank Agosta, executive director of Human Resources, will be communicating separately with members of our administration and staff with additional information and further guidance on our return to work policies and protocols.

We greatly appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as we navigate our way through a very complex and ever-changing set of circumstances. We firmly believe we have arrived at the right decision by conducting the fall 2020 semester fully online. It is the safest and most responsible option for every member of our community.

Wishing you good health,

Christopher J. Cyphers, PhD

Provost

Note: this letter was edited on August 19.

Greetings:

I hope you and your family are doing well, and that you are enjoying the summer.

Since SVA closed, in mid-March—and we transitioned all classes online—a special Pandemic Recovery Task Force has been hard at work every day preparing for the start of the fall 2020 semester. Our decision making has been shaped to a large extent by the guidance provided by public health experts, and federal, state and local government authorities.

When last I wrote to you, I reported that SVA would open the fall semester on Monday, September 28, with in-person classes. We chose to delay the opening of the semester to give ourselves as much time as possible for international travel restrictions to be lifted, the opening of U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, and for New York City to be in the best possible position to reopen to college and university students.

In the time since I reported on our decision to open in the fall with in-person classes, I have heard from domestic and international students alike that traveling to New York City may either be impossible or, for public health reasons, undesirable.

Therefore, SVA is working overtime to allow students who cannot travel to New York City, for whatever reason, to take their fall semester classes fully online.

SVA is committed to providing a safe and excellent academic experience for those students who plan to attend the fall semester on our New York City campus; we are equally committed to providing the same fulfilling experience for those who opt to take their fall classes online.

That said, those choosing to take the fall semester online need to understand that not every class scheduled to run in the fall may be available online. As of now, this is what we believe will be accessible to students studying online:

· All required first-year classes 

· Most required fall classes for fourth-year students

· Many second- and third-year classes; the exact number will be based on current or projected course registration figures 

As I indicated in my previous letter to you, nearly every art history course will be conducted online. Also, almost all sections of the foundation-level Writing and Literature course will likewise be offered fully online, as well as many required and elective courses in Humanities and Sciences. These particular online classes will be available to all students.

Unlike the online classes we conducted during the spring 2020 semester, most of those being offered for the fall will be a blend of synchronous (i.e., Zoom) and asynchronous (i.e. Canvas) content. There will be, where it makes sense and is in students′ best academic interest, some classes conducted via Zoom. SVA is committed to providing students who take some or all of their fall classes online with the best possible experience.

For those students who plan to attend the fall semester in-person, you will notice many changes, some of which have been described in previous communication from SVA President David Rhodes and me. The campus you left in March will look quite different. These changes are intended to ensure that students, faculty, staff and guests have a safe environment in which to study and work. 

Some of these changes include:

• class sizes that will be significantly reduced to accommodate social distancing
• some classes will be a hybrid of in-person and online instruction
• every member of the campus community will be required to wear a mask while in the presence of others
• the capacity of common meeting spaces and certain campus facilities will likely be reduced by one-third of normal capacity
• every campus community member will be required to complete a short health questionnaire using an app that the College is developing. 

Further details about the fall semester will be sent over the course of the summer to those who will be studying on campus.

So that the College’s faculty and administration can adequately prepare—and to accommodate our students’ various needs—it is important that we know as soon as possible your intentions for the fall semester. I ask, therefore, that you complete this short form to indicate your plan to take the fall semester online, and submit it within 10 days of receiving this letter. If you choose the online option, you will be contacted via your SVA email to discuss registration options and procedures once the course offerings are finalized.

Fall 2020 tuition will be the same regardless of which option a student chooses. For those studying fully online, your departmental fee for the fall semester will be waived, since you will not have access to departmental facilities.

Pursuing the fall semester online might mean the schedule of classes may change from what was originally planned. You will be advised by your advisor and/or the Registrar of any schedule changes.

International students should consult the “Fall 2020 Updates” section of the “International Students” tab on SVA’s COVID-19 response page, sva.edu/coronavirus, before making a decision about the fall semester. International students who are now in the U.S. under an F-1 visa may not take all their classes fully online; doing so will require these students to depart the U.S. Such students may take hybrid courses that meet both in-person and online, or a mix of in-person and online classes, or may take all available classes in person. Remember, full-time study (12+ credits) is necessary to remain in the U.S.

During the week of July 13, my colleagues and I will conduct several Q&A sessions: 

• A session for students who plan to attend fall classes in person at SVA will be conducted on Tuesday, July 14, 9:00am EST.
• A session for students who plan to take their fall classes fully online will be conducted on Thursday, July 16, 9:00am EST.
• A session for anyone who is unable to attend the morning sessions will be conducted on Thursday, July 16, 9:00pm EST.

In the meantime, any questions regarding registration for the fall semester should be directed to the Office of the Registrar, at registrar@sva.edu. You may also contact your academic advisor directly with any questions about either registration or scheduling your classes. Any questions about your tuition bill should be directed to the Student Accounts, at studentaccounts@sva.edu. Should you have any questions about new student orientation, please contact the Student Affairs, at studentaffairs@sva.edu. Finally, international students may write to the International Student Office, at iso@sva.edu, with any questions about the status of your visa and what one must do to remain in status.

As with all colleges and universities in the U.S., we are in uncharted waters. No matter how much planning we undertake, there will be circumstances that are beyond our control. This creates a good deal of uncertainty. But everyone at SVA is doing their absolute best to prepare for a successful fall 2020 semester. It will be important that you routinely check your SVA email for any updates about the fall semester, and visit our Reopening Plan webpage, for the latest information.

My colleagues join me in expressing our confidence that we will do everything possible to provide every student with a challenging and rewarding fall semester. Things will certainly be different than what you’ve experienced in the past, but different doesn’t have to come at the expense of excellence. We are all committed to excellence when it comes to your education as artists and designers.

Wishing you all the best, I am, 

Sincerely yours,

Christopher J. Cyphers, PhD

Provost, School of Visual Arts

Greetings:

I am writing to follow up on my July 7, 2020, letter to students, wherein I provided an update on the fall 2020 semester. Some of you may have recently received a version of this letter.

I appreciate all the feedback provided by students and supporters of our community, and I want to use the opportunity of this email to clarify some points raised in various student responses I have received in the last week.

There appears to have been some confusion over the matter of a tuition increase for the 2020-21 academic year. At its December 2019 meeting, the SVA Board of Directors approved a tuition increase for the undergraduate programs of $750 per semester. In March, as the scope of the pandemic became clear, it was decided that the increase would be eliminated for matriculated continuing undergraduate students. Thus, each matriculated continuing undergraduate student will receive a grant of $750 per semester (or $1,500 for the 2020-21 academic year) to effectively zero-out the increase. This grant already appears on your statement.

This award is in addition to the CARE grant some of you may have received last semester. So to clarify, there is no tuition increase for matriculated continuing undergraduate students. Moreover, those returning students who plan to live in the residence halls were recently informed they would be given a discount for the 2020-21 academic year, in recognition of the fact that the fall semester would be 12 weeks in duration. On the subject of the 12-week semester, it is important to note that the number of contact hours have not been reduced. SVA secured the permission of the New York State Education Department and the US Department of Education to operate a 12 week fall semester. 

We completely understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has created for many families some economic hardship. Any student who is facing financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic is encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid to review your eligibility for possible additional funding.

Several expressed concern that our international students are being “disadvantaged” because they will pay the same tuition as someone taking classes in-person. The decision to make it possible for not just international students, but anyone who cannot or chooses not to come to New York City, was in direct response to an abundance of requests that those who cannot or wish not to come to campus may continue to study full time without interruption. Meeting this very understandable need is a massive undertaking—and it is being done to help students, not hurt them.

There is the question about why tuition is not being discounted for those taking all their classes online. The cost of delivering courses online is near twice the cost to deliver a class in-person. SVA is absorbing those additional expenses. And, importantly, students taking their classes online in the fall will not be charged the usual departmental fees for the fall. 

Additionally, faculty members who teach online are not being paid any less than their colleagues who teach in-person. In fact, it is well documented that faculty provide more contact hours when teaching online courses.

The emails I received further state that “simultaneously, there is no assurance nor initiative to protect students affected by new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) laws for those who wish to remain in the United States.” 

SVA signed, along with 180 American colleges and universities, an amicus brief (i.e., “friend of the court”) as part of several lawsuits filed against the Trump Administration’s draconian policies that threaten the status of international students in the US whose institution offers only online courses, among other problematic measures. I’m pleased to report that a federal judge just ruled against the Trump administration. The positive outcome of this suit now makes it possible for international students in the US to study fully online without fear of being forced to leave the country.

A number of students have posed the question about how their tuition is spent. The following chart illustrates how each dollar of tuition collected is spent. This same information is available on the SVA website, though in a slightly different format. You may view this information by following this link or clicking on the image below. 

On July 14 and 16, 2020, SVA's provost and other SVA administrators hosted three virtual town halls about plans for the fall 2020 semester. The recordings of the two Thursday, July 16, sessions include subsequent Q&As with SVA's International Student Office.

To view a PDF of the Town Hall presentation, click here.

Dear students, faculty and staff,

On May 27, we celebrated the graduation of some 1,280 degree candidates of the School of Visual Arts in our 45th Commencement exercises. While the ceremony was conducted virtually, the achievements and artistic energy of this new group of SVA alumni were as palpable and real as ever. 

Reaching this milestone within the apex of a global pandemic is a truly remarkable accomplishment. We achieved it by working collaboratively, moving swiftly to a new model of remote learning and working, and taking measures to ensure a safe environment for residents and essential workers. I appreciate the part you played in making the spring semester successful. In a few short but intense months, we have developed ways—and are continuing to develop ways—to not only pull through this ongoing crisis, but to create effective new modes of operating in the future—modes that provide a wider range of flexibility, deeper levels of innovation and higher levels of safety and security.

On May 8, Provost Christopher Cyphers announced our plan to reopen the College on September 28. Many of you are asking how this will happen. This letter begins to answer your questions, based on actions we’re taking and information currently available to New York State institutions of higher education and the public at this date. Additional information will be provided to you as the summer progresses and the plan is finalized.

Reopening Plan

The plan for reopening SVA is being developed by a Pandemic Recovery team that includes SVA’s Emergency Management Committee (EMC), in collaboration with a crisis recovery consultancy. This plan follows the latest guidelines and requirements provided by federal, state and city authorities and the American College Health Association. Every decision we make about reopening is informed by those guidelines and requirements, the expertise of EMC members in leadership positions from across the College, and our firm commitment to providing a safe, healthy environment for everyone at the College.

A Safe, Phased-In Return

Returning to SVA will be done carefully, in phases that are in accordance with New York State’s phased plans for reopening New York City. Phase 1 of reopening NYC began on June 8, for manufacturing, construction and retail. Phase 2, which we anticipate may be as early as June 22, will enable institutions of higher education to reopen with a reduced workforce. During this phase, SVA may begin allowing a limited number of staff to return to prepare for the fall semester. Here is what we can expect during Phase 2:

• A reduced staff will return on a staggered schedule. Scheduling will be determined by individual department heads
• Some administrative departments will continue to work remotely
• No students will be permitted to access academic buildings
• Social-distancing and face-covering practices will be in effect (see below)

Facilities Preparation

We are keeping facilities clean and safe for essential employees, and preparing for the returning SVA community by taking the following measures:

• Performing frequent cleanings and disinfecting throughout all buildings, with additional, frequent wipe-downs of all high-touch surface areas, such as door handles, bathroom surfaces, elevator buttons and countertops
• Introducing the use of electrostatic sprayers to sanitize surfaces throughout the buildings
• Flushing out pipes in all buildings
• Replacing HVAC filters with high-efficiency filters to help reduce transmittal of airborne viruses and bacteria
• Preparing social-distancing markings for common spaces, including lobbies and elevator banks
• Posting health-protocol communications
• Installing protective shields at security stations, libraries, equipment check-out stations and other close-contact areas
• Procuring sufficient cleaning and sanitizer supplies for all buildings
• Procuring required protective supplies for the full community, per New York State guidelines

Personal Protection and Responsibility

New York State schools will be opened during Phase 4, which is expected to align with our September opening date. At this time, students can return, as well as a larger number of administrative staff, with others continuing to work from home, at least in some capacity. Everyone at SVA will be expected to play their part to protect the health of themselves and others in the community. Here is what you can expect during Phases 2–4: 

• Daily health attestation and self-symptom screening
• Social distancing in all SVA spaces
• Required wearing of masks or face coverings
• Supplies of masks and gloves will be provided as long as we are required to do so
• Cleaning supplies for the interim cleaning of classroom and office surfaces

I appreciate all of your patience and understanding as we continue to refine the reopening plan and develop details on new policies for learning and working at SVA. I know these are anxious times and it is difficult to deal with uncertainties. I am confident that, just as we have in the past, the SVA community will work together to persevere through this challenge and come through it stronger than ever. 

David Rhodes

President, School of Visual Arts

*Note: This notification was edited on June 19, 2020.

Greetings:

I hope this letter finds you and your families well. To say you are missed by the faculty, staff, and administration would be an understatement. Life is just not the same without you.

In my 30-year career in higher education, this spring semester has been by far the most challenging—personally and professionally. The toll the coronavirus has taken on our friends, families, and communities is difficult to articulate or comprehend. Nearly every aspect of our lives has changed, and we all desperately want things to return to some version of normal; we want to move forward with our lives. And move forward we shall.

A special task force consisting of faculty leaders, administrators, and executive management has been carefully monitoring federal, state, and local guidance on the Covid-19 virus, and working daily since the College closed its buildings and transitioned classes online, to develop a plan for reopening SVA and resuming in-person classes as soon as conditions permit.

To that end, we ­­­­­­plan to begin the process of reopening SVA, in phases, beginning this summer. 

The fall semester is now scheduled to begin on Monday, September 28, 2020, and will end on Tuesday, December 22, 2020; the semester will be 12 weeks in length. To ensure students receive the full benefits of instruction and to meet the required number of class hours for a regular 15-week semester, the typical 3-credit course will be conducted for 3 hours and 10 minutes, as opposed to the usual 2 hours, 50-minute class period. The time between classes will be reduced from 20 to 15 minutes. In addition, faculty will be encouraged to augment a regular, in-person class with additional course content through Canvas. The College-wide attendance policy will be suspended for the fall semester.

The spring semester will start on the previously scheduled date of Monday, January 11, 2021, and will run for the full 15 weeks.

The reason for the delayed start to the semester is quite simple: we want to give ourselves and all our students the best odds for beginning the new school year without major disruption. We are hopeful that by late September, moreover, international travel restrictions will have been eased or lifted, thereby improving the likelihood our international students will be able to travel successfully from their home countries to New York.

Upon reopening, SVA will follow government guidelines and best practices in higher education for social distancing, which could include some or all of the following measures: limiting class size, wearing masks while inside campus buildings, and limiting the size of campus functions and activities in accordance with state and local requirements. To create additional space to accommodate smaller studio classes, some introductory-level Humanities & Sciences and Art History classes will be offered online. Academic buildings will likely close at 12:00 midnight, and reopen at 7:00am, to allow cleaning crews to sanitize our facilities and equipment. Each of these measures are intended to keep every member of the SVA community safe and healthy.

As you have no doubt discovered, what we knew to be “normal” back in February no longer exists. While the coronavirus will likely ease this summer and fall, it is equally likely to return this winter. That is just simply a possibility with which we would need to contend. But good planning and taking all necessary precautions should prevent the next wave of this pandemic from being as disruptive to our lives.

What I have described here is by no means unique to the School of Visual Arts. Thousands of colleges and universities in the US and abroad are taking all the same steps to keep their communities safe, and to minimize the effects of possible future disruptions to students’ educational experience.

I’m sure you have many questions about the fall semester. To help answer your questions, I will be hosting a series of virtual town hall meetings, where I will share the latest information about the fall semester, and you will be able to ask questions. The dates and times of these meetings will be announced soon.

In the meantime, please direct your specific questions to the appropriate offices listed below.

As I noted at the start of this letter, everyone at SVA misses you very much; we cannot wait for your return; and we are excited about the possibilities that lay ahead. This is, to be sure, a time of change—and challenges—but as a community we will persevere, and we will make things better than they were before this virus interrupted our lives.

I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Wishing you all the very best,

Christopher J. Cyphers, PhD

Provost, School of Visual Arts

BFA Academic Advisement: acadadvis@sva.edu 

Financial Aid: fa@sva.edu

Student Health and Counseling Services: health@sva.edu

Student Accounts: studentaccounts@sva.edu

Student Affairs: studentaffairs@sva.edu

International Student Office: iso@sva.edu

Registrar: registrar@sva.edu 

Residence Life: reslife@sva.edu

*Note: This notification was edited on May 9, 2020.