Events, Gatherings & Meetings

Effective July 6, 2021 - September 6, 2021

As we expand in-person activities on campus ahead of our fall return, it is important to maintain our vigilance with appropriate health and safety protocols.

To promote the effectiveness of our COVID-19 health and safety program at Yale, we are continuing certain requirements for events, gatherings, and meetings (collectively referred to as gatherings hereafter) through the month of July.

Effective July 6, the following are the requirements for university-sponsored and other gatherings on or off campus, including: all that involve the use of university funds or spaces; all academic and social gatherings for students, faculty, and staff of any size other than those occurring as a regular part of a course or class on the scheduled academic calendar; and all gatherings in administrative units. Faculty and staff planning off campus gatherings involving students, staff, or faculty that are not university-sponsored are strongly encouraged to follow these guidelines as well. Students planning on or off campus gatherings must follow these requirements.

  1. The university will allow gatherings of twenty (20) or fewer individuals indoors and gatherings of fifty (50) or fewer individuals outdoors without the advance approval of the relevant Dean, Head of College or Vice President, provided the conditions in this guidance for gatherings requiring approval are observed (see items 3-5). 
  2. If the gathering is larger than these limits and there is a compelling reason why it cannot be held virtually, the sponsor must apply in advance of the gathering to the school or department Health and Safety Leader using the application for approval form. The Health and Safety Leader will review the application and refer it to the relevant Dean, Head of College or Vice President for approval.
  3. Gatherings must:
    • for university-sponsored gatherings, be open only to members of the Yale community;
    • be of limited duration and by invitation only;
    • not involve high-aerosolization activities without prior approval (singing, woodwinds/brass, vigorous exercise);
    • comply with mask and 6-foot distancing requirements except when eating; and
    • food and beverages should be limited to pre-packaged food or individual servings.
  4. In addition, gathering sponsors must:
    • only employ the use of tents for approved outdoor gatherings that have been reviewed and approved by Facilities and EHS; and
    • provide hand sanitizer and arrange for pre- and post-event disinfection of the space and equipment if indicated.
  5. If the gathering can be held virtually, consideration should be given to holding it virtually.

These requirements reflect current public health guidance and support our expansion of on-campus activities. They may be amended as the public health environment changes. Adhering to these requirements when holding gatherings is an essential component of our health and safety program and helps keep our community as safe as possible as we once again enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company. Learn more about safe campus practices.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FOR EVENTs, Gatherings & Meetings APPROVAL (.pdf)

Effective September 7, 2021

This version of the Event, Gathering & Meetings policy is expected be effective as of September 7, 2021 and is being posted now to facilitate planning for fall. 

To promote the effectiveness of our COVID-19 health and safety program at Yale, we are continuing certain requirements for events, gatherings, and meetings (collectively referred to as gatherings hereafter) into the fall term.

Effective September 7, 2021, the following are the requirements for university affiliated gatherings on or off campus including all that involve the use of university funds or spaces; all academic and social gatherings for students, faculty, and staff of any size other than those occurring as a regular part of a course or class on the scheduled academic calendar; and all gatherings in administrative units.

Provided the conditions below are observed, the university will allow, without advance approval of the cognizant Dean, Head of College or Vice President, or Health and Safety Leader for: (i) on-campus outdoor gatherings of two-hundred and fifty (250) or fewer individuals; (ii) indoor gatherings in spaces with mechanical or natural ventilation* with capacity limits determined by available seating and/or typical occupancy. In certain situations, universal masking may be required.

The conditions that must be observed are:

  1. Visitors are not permitted.
  2. Gatherings must:
    • be on Yale’s campus;
    • be open only to members of the Yale community;
    • be of limited duration and by invitation only;
    • not involve high-aerosolization activities (singing, woodwinds/brass, vigorous exercise);
    • comply with university health and safety measures in effect at the time.
  3. Any food or beverage must be pre-packaged, single serve, grab and go, or takeaway.
  4. Gathering sponsors must:
    • only employ the use of tents for approved outdoor gatherings that have been reviewed and approved by Facilities and EHS; and
    • provide hand sanitizer and arrange for pre- and post-event disinfection of the space and any equipment used in the gathering.
  5. Gathering sponsors should have alternative plans in the event that viral conditions worsen.

Gatherings that would not meet all of the above conditions require advance approval from the relevant Dean, Head of College of Vice President, or Health and Safety Leader which may be requested by application to the unit’s Health and Safety Leader using the form below.

These requirements reflect current public health guidance and support our continuing expansion of on-campus activities. They may be amended as the public health environment changes. Adhering to these requirements when holding gatherings is an essential component of our health and safety program and helps keep our community as safe as possible as we once again enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company. Learn more about safe campus practices.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FOR EVENTs, Gatherings & Meetings APPROVAL (.pdf)

*Any space with windows should have the windows open when occupied and windows should be closed on departure.