Final Stretch of Block 1 – Updates and Reminders

Dear Students,

As we head into the final stretch of Block 1, we want to encourage you to keep up the great work. There is such remarkable work going on throughout the school in all three divisions and in the academic classrooms—we certainly understand that you are doing so under challenging circumstances and a great deal of uncertainty in the world. We are extremely proud of you.

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you each take the time to watch our virtual gala video, released last night. It is a stunning reminder of all that we have accomplished together in the last year, and it’s also a reminder of the importance of the art we continue to make as a community.

This email contains important information about fall break, preparations for Block 2, and other important reminders and information.

FALL BREAK
 
Please keep the following things in mind regarding the upcoming fall break, October 17-28:

• Building Use: The building will be open during fall break for individual work for those who have gone through the process of being granted Block 1 building access. The same reservation and building use rules will apply. That said, we strongly encourage you to truly take a break. It’s important to take advantage of down periods this year to rest and recharge—in safe and physically distanced ways, of course.
• Travel: Avoid nonessential travel between now and the end of Block 2, including during the fall and Thanksgiving breaks. If after your initial return to campus, you do travel out of the tristate area (during an academic break, or at any other time this year), you should fill out this form. All students who travel away from the tristate area will be required to submit a new negative COVID test result and will be expected to follow New York State guidelines for mandatory quarantines. Please be forewarned that any residential students who choose to travel to states and countries requiring a quarantine upon return will have to quarantine elsewhere, as the residence life staff will be fully occupied providing for students who have remained on campus. 
• Be safe: Review our Community Pledge as well as these safety recommendations from the CDC. When you socialize, do so outside (we do not permit indoor gathering at this time), properly wear a mask, maintain appropriate physical distancing (6 feet minimum), and wash/sanitize your hands frequently.

 
PREPARING FOR BLOCK 2

We continue to monitor the ever-evolving situation in New York as well as consult with our medical advisors on a regular basis. While there has been an uptick of cases over the last week in certain New York City zip codes, Manhattan’s positive test rate remains well below 1 percent as does the rate in most other areas within the five boroughs.

We are working to finalize our plans for Block 2 and adjusting where necessary to meet the continued health challenges. The following information for Block 2 will be communicated in the next two weeks:

• Testing: As a reminder, we have already announced that all students and faculty who interact with students are required to get a baseline test before first coming to campus. You can find more information here. We are working on a strategy for additional testing in Block 2, and further information will be announced soon.
• Building Access: Block 1 rules for building access will remain in place through Sunday, October 25. Rules for Block 2 building access will begin on Monday, October 26; details will be announced in the next two weeks.
• Building Use: Also in the next two weeks, we will provide further information about the rules for how the building will be used: room occupancy, how long you may remain in a room, detailed requirements about specialty masks and bell covers for certain majors, and much more.

 
OTHER IMPORTANT REMINDERS AND INFORMATION

Quarantine Requirements:
As you plan your return for Block 2, please review our quarantine rules. Also keep a close eye on the list of required quarantine states, as it changes daily. Residence Hall students who have questions about move-in procedures should contact [email protected].
 
COVID Reporting:
If you test positive for COVID-19 or suspect you have been exposed, follow these important steps:

1. Students should immediately contact Health Services at (212) 799-5000, ext. 282 or email [email protected] during the workday. If it is after hours or on the weekend, please contact the Student Development staff member on-call at (866) 885-7227.
   
   Faculty and staff should contact Human Resources at [email protected].
   
    
2. Fill out the COVID-19 Reporting Form. This form can also be used to request assistance if you suspect that you or another Juilliard community member may have been infected or exposed to COVID-19 or if you have symptoms (including but not limited to coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell). Please be sure to include a phone number where you can be reached.

 
Request to Remain Online for Block 2:
The request deadline to remain fully online for Block 2 is tomorrow—Wednesday, October 7. You can find this form here. For students who choose this option, all Block 2 work will be done online, including performance-based, technique, rehearsal, and small-group studio work. This may mean that some Block 2 performance work is replaced by individual projects or written/research projects at the discretion of the student’s department. If you are still unsure of your plans, extensions may be considered under certain circumstances—contact [email protected] for further information.

Outdoor Space:
Lincoln Center has reopened much of the outdoor complex for public passive recreation. Juilliard students are welcome and encouraged to spend time in these outdoor areas, following all precautions. In addition to these public areas—the plazas, Damrosch Park, and the lawn— Lincoln Center has also designated a specific outdoor space just for Juilliard community members—a rain-protected balcony with tables and chairs, overlooking Amsterdam Avenue at the plaza level right behind the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. It is reserved for Juilliard from 8am to 6pm, Monday through Friday, at least through the end of October. You can access this area by crossing the President’s Bridge and then walking toward Amsterdam Avenue on the plaza level. You will see that the area is roped off with signs indicating it is for Juilliard’s exclusive use.
 
Reopening Plan Website:
All information about our reopening plan and our COVID response, including past communications sent to students and faculty, can be found on our website.
 
Other Helpful New York Resources:
New York State has released a new app called COVID Alert NY that allows you to anonymously, privately, and securely track and get notified if you’ve been exposed to someone who tests positive. We recommend each member of the community take a moment to read about this new tool and download the app. You can also track cases at schools throughout New York, including at Juilliard, on the New York State COVID-19 School Report Card.
 
As always, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected].
 
Sincerely,
Provost Meyer