Student FAQS Last Updated 12/11/20
Communication
If you are exposed to COVID-19 or suspect you were exposed, please follow the COVID-19 Exposed or Symptomatic Flowchart.
COVID Testing
- How do I schedule an appointment for testing?
On-campus testing is available to all students at Student Health Services. Any student who seeks an on-campus COVID-19 test must call Student Health Services, (516) 463-6745, first and undergo telephone triage by a clinician. Based on that conversation, the clinician will determine if a test is warranted. If SHS determines a test is necessary, they will make an appointment for the student to get one on campus.
- Will students have unlimited access to Hofstra’s testing center?
Yes, students can schedule appointments for COVID-19 testing whenever they feel the need to make an appointment.
- Will we be having regular testing?
Hofstra University will continue to surveil our students on a weekly basis and conduct random COVID testing. Given that the undergraduate students are not on campus during the later part of December and all of January, we expect a larger portion of our student population will be tested. The testing site has been moved to the Student Health and Counseling Center (SHACC). If you are selected for a randomized test, please make this a priority to attend. Faculty are aware that students may miss a portion of class for testing. You can always independently sign up for a test if desired.
- How long have students waited for COVID test results? Can we receive rapid test results?
Thus far, the longest we have had to wait for test results is 3 days for our students through EHS or Hofstra. This is the benefit of having the health system as a partner.
- If a student has traveled out of NY State for more than 24 hours, do they need to quarantine?
Students will need to follow the mandatory guidelines set by NY State.
COVID Exposure
- What to do if you think you have been exposed:
Students should self-isolate from the general public. Please contact the Office of Student Affairs to make them aware of your potential exposure and contact the Student Health Center (SHACC) for guidance on testing. Lastly, submit an absence form. The absence form will give you the opportunity to attend class virtually. All Zoom links are emailed the morning prior to the start of class by Curriculum Support ensuring all students wishing to attend class virtually are captured. If you are having issues accessing your Zoom link, please contact our Course Help Line (516-463-7575).
- What is an exposure?
A community exposure is when a person has been in contact with a positive COVID individual any time beginning the 48 hours prior to the COVID positive individual developing symptoms. Contact exposure occurs when the person is within a distance of less than 6 feet from the COVID positive individual for more than 15 minutes. (If the COVID positive individual is asymptomatic, exposure is classified as occurring any time beginning the 48 hours prior to the individuals COVID test being taken). Exposure for health care providers differs and the definition can be found here.
COVID +
- What happens if someone in our medical school class exhibits viral symptoms? Who else will have to quarantine?
If a student exhibits symptoms or has been exposed, they must stay home, contact Student Health or their healthcare provider and the Office of Student Affairs (see flowchart). Any other students or staff with direct exposure will be instructed to quarantine, based on the recommendations of the Department of Health, local officials and contact tracers.
- What will be the accommodation for students that have to quarantine?
Students who are quarantining are expected to report the absence via the Attendance Policy and Absence Form. Once the form is submitted, the student will receive information regarding virtual class attendance. If the student feels well and is not symptomatic, they are expected to attend virtual classes.
- Is there a percentage of COVID + cases that administration considers unsafe and would pivot to virtual learning?
Similar to how we handled converting to virtual learning in the past, we will follow recommendations from the CDC and adhere to NYS guidelines. Unfortunately, an exact percentage is not available at this time because these guidelines are fluid. We have and will continue to monitor COVID cases throughout our community (inclusive of Hofstra University & Northwell Health), follow state and local guidelines and make decisions with the health and safety of all in our community in mind.
- What if I was in close contact with people at a party and/or where people are not wearing masks? If I tell the administration, will I get in trouble?
The health and safety of every student is our top priority, including full cooperation with containment and contact tracing. Students will not be subject to the University’s code of conduct during the contact tracing process. However, we ask that you consider the health and safety of all community members, both within our building and outside of our building, when making decisions in social environments. The ZSOM recommends adhering to CDC guidelines during any interaction, both professionally and personally. The health of our community depends on everyone. Additional information can be found on Hofstra’s Safe Start site.
Physical Spaces
- Do we need to book the study spaces in advance or is it first-come, first-serve?
Study spaces will be first-come, first-serve.
- Are private spaces available for residency interviews, telehealth visits for ICE, or additional virtual requirements?
At this time, students are only permitted to reserve private spaces for residency interviews. Current MS4 students can contact the Office of Career Advising for additional information.
- Will the showers in the Structure Lab or Student Lounge be accessible?
The Structure Lab showers will be closed. The single shower outside of the Student Lounge will be available for use.
Cleaning
- How are we ensuring cleanliness in rooms in the building?
Each room has wipes and antibacterial gel. When you enter and before you leave a room, please wipe everything down. The building is closed from 11pm-6:30am every day for deep cleaning. Take a look at FAQS on the COVID-19 Website for cleaning procedures. Students and staff must leave the building between 11PM – 6:30 AM every day for deep cleaning.
Remote Learning
- What support is available to students attending classes remotely?
Remote learning F100 weeks students (available only to quarantined or COVID+ students well enough to attend class), our IT and Curriculum Support (CS) staff are on-site at the SOM during PEARLS to help trouble shoot any technology problems that arise. We ask that if you are experience any issues, please contact the Course Help Line at 516-463-7575, rather than try to trouble shoot the problem yourself, so that Curriculum Support can work with IT to resolve these issues.
If you are remote and zooming in, please understand that the course directors are here for you and If you feel that you have missed something and would like for us to review any content missed, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
The Office of Academic Success will be checking in with remote students daily and we encourage you to please continue to provide feedback regarding your daily experience so that we can take action and find solutions to issues as quickly as possible.
- When we have a mixture of students who are virtual and in-person it is difficult to make successful triggers in PEARLS that are conducive for learning and discussions. Can we have students who are virtual gather with other virtual students for PEARLS?
In the event that the hybrid option is not working for a PEARLS group, the PEARLS facilitator after discussion with the group, can in consultation with Drs. Deutsch and Elkowitz recommend that the PEARLS group be conducted with all students participating virtually. All students who are not under quarantine will still be expected to be at the SOM for their virtual PEARLS as they should still attend all other in-person sessions.