FAQs

Students may elect to study from home. They will be charged full tuition but will not be charged room and board, and will receive financial aid based on the cost of attendance for remote learners. Those studying from home may continue to work remotely on research projects and other activities. In order to reduce travel and density on campus, they will not be permitted entry to campus buildings.

We are working hard to assist international students in getting their visas, but we recognize that many international students may be unable to return to campus. Most schools have online options for those unable to attend the first month of classes. Some programs are available online for the whole semester. Students with specific questions about this issue should seek answers from the office of the relevant school dean. New students should consult the OISS FAQ for Newly Admitted Students for updated information about visa issues and travel concerns.

All undergraduate students who are enrolled in residence, whether living on campus or in off-campus housing, must be tested on a twice weekly schedule throughout the semester. Review additional guidance on testing for undergraduates on the Health Guidelines page.

Graduate and professional students in high-density dormitory housing (Helen Hadley Hall and Harkness Hall) are required to be tested twice per week throughout the semester. Students who do not live in high-density dormitory housing are not required to be tested regularly. Review additional guidance on testing for graduate and professional students on the Health Guidelines page.

Most Yale College courses are being offered online, featuring live Zoom seminars and a mix of live and recorded lectures. The faculty and staff are working hard to provide the best possible courses online, incorporating feedback from last semester’s and this summer’s online courses.

Some discussion sections, lab courses, studio courses, and collections-based courses are being offered in person, with smaller enrollments to allow for physical distancing and observance of all other precautions under public health guidance in force at the time programs start.

Where possible, there may be some associated in-person component for courses that take place in an otherwise online fashion.

Decisions on teaching in the graduate and professional schools were made made by individual departments and schools. Most programs are being offered by dual delivery, with a mixture of remote and in-person experiences. Each school has a specific return-to-campus plan; details are being provided by each school’s dean.

We encourage faculty who are over age 65, and faculty or teaching fellows who have underlying health conditions, to teach from home.

Faculty and teaching fellows who choose to teach from home for other reasons may also do so, in coordination with their department chairs and deans.

If you are not asked to return campus and are able to work from home, the current assumption is that you will continue to work remotely until at least January 4, 2021. If you are unable to work from home, Yale will strive to provide alternate work assignments consistent with the workplace guidance issued on July 1.

Staff required to self-isolate due to COVID exposure or diagnosis should continue to work remotely, if able. If the staff member is unable to work remotely, they will continue to receive pay for up to 14 calendar days (10 business days) and will not be charged paid-time off for their absence. Should the staff member’s absence need to continue for more than 10 business days, staff should use accrued paid time off or apply for a leave of absence.

Visit the “Workplace Guidance FAQs” on the It’s Your Yale website.

Yale began reactivating on-campus research on June 1. Following guidelines from the State of Connecticut and the expert advice of Yale faculty in medicine, nursing, and public health, the university has developed phased returning-to-Yale plans that include testing, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine, daily health checks, social distancing, and mask-wearing. We have also reduced housing density in Yale College and dormitory-style graduate residences. The university is following a careful, phased approach to resuming operations on campus, taking into consideration public health guidance, the needs of vulnerable populations, and the mission of the university.

Faculty at Yale and at Yale New Haven Hospital have been active in treating COVID-19 and researching the biology and transmission of the underlying coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Although Connecticut was originally one of the hardest-hit states, the rate of transmission (R_t) in the state as of July 1 is below 1, and as a result the number of new cases has fallen.

For more details about Yale’s extensive health policies, protocols, and guidance, visit the Health Guidelines page.

All returning students, faculty, staff, and trainees are required to follow public health requirements in place at the time in-person activity resumes. Please review the details on the Health Guidelines page.

Yes, all students, trainees, faculty, staff, and visitors must wear masks except when in their own residential college suite or apartment, or alone in an office, or when eating. Wearing a mask is one of the most effective ways to prevent transmission of the coronavirus.

Please refer to the Health Guidelines page for information about testing.

All faculty, students, and staff on campus must monitor their health every day for symptoms of COVID-19 through a Daily Health Check. If you have symptoms, please contact your health care provider or call the Campus COVID Resource Line at 203-432-6604.

Yes. Please visit the Yale Statistics page to see the latest testing numbers, positive cases, and the university’s alert level status. Most information is updated daily.

The university is limiting the size of gatherings both indoors and outside to accommodate physical distancing and conform to density guidelines and state rules. Classrooms and other common spaces will have reduced capacity. All who are gathered in groups of any size must wear masks and stay six feet away from each other.

The university has established requirements for university-sponsored events on or off campus for fall 2020. Please see the Events & Gatherings page for more information.

To view occupancy requirements and limits for both indoor and outdoor spaces on campus, please visit the Environmental Health & Safety website.

Yes, most libraries on campus are open, with changes to seating, hours, and some services.

Payne Whitney Gymnasium is open with limits on capacity in order to preserve physical distancing. Only students are permitted to use the gym. An online reservation system is in place to reserve times in Israel Fitness Center, the 3rd floor pool, and group exercise classes. No walk-ins are permitted; all users must have a reserved time.

Gyms in residential colleges will be closed until further notice.

Campus is open to juniors and seniors living off campus who are enrolled as in-residence students. In order to reduce travel and on-campus density, first-years and sophomores will not have access to the campus during the semesters in which they are enrolled remotely. 

Graduate and professional students living off campus or in Yale Housing who are enrolled as in-residence students have access to the parts of campus normally open to them, such as their own school, the campus libraries, most classroom buildings, the main gym, and common spaces, among others.

Yes, most facilities on campus are open with physical distancing in force. While the weather is good, we encourage you to use outdoor spaces, as the risk of transmission of the coronavirus is lower outdoors.

Students and other members of the Yale community may go to stores and restaurants in New Haven as long as they follow public health guidance currently in place, such as wearing masks and practicing physical distancing. Note that existing policies regarding reimbursements of food expenses are still in place, which allows for some use of Yale funds for restaurants. Due to the public health situation, this mode of interaction is discouraged and should be reserved for times when there is no alternative. In addition, faculty and supervisors should be very careful to allow for those who are not comfortable with this type of interaction, and should always provide an alternative to interact with them virtually. With prior approval from the Department Chair or Lead Administrator, food provided to remote participants may also be submitted for reimbursement.

Travel outside of Connecticut is discouraged for faculty and staff for the duration of this public health crisis. Undergraduates may travel only for emergencies or with approval from their residential college deans’ offices for travel that is essential for educational or personal reasons. The university strongly urges graduate and professional students to limit their travel. Everyone should wear masks or other face coverings and practice social distancing to the greatest extent possible while traveling.

Campus COVID Resource Line
203-432-6604 or 866-924-9253
Available seven days a week, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Employees with specific questions should consult with their deans, managers, or the Employee Service Center at 203-432-5552. Employees may also email their questions at any time to employee.services@yale.edu.

If you are unable to access a building, it may be related to a failure to meet Yale’s Community Commitments, such as routine testing or completion of training. For questions about your own compliance, including whether your lockout is compliance-related, contact your Health and Safety Leader (HSL). For units without a designated HSL, contact your Lead Administrator (LA). HSLs and LAs can provide guidance on how to regain access.

Please note: Public Safety is unable to support you with lockout services for compliance-related lockouts.