Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The COVID-19 pandemic is not something any of us would have chosen for your college years. Iona College is taking every precaution to ensure the health, safety and continued academic success of our entire community. We know that new facts will continue to surface, and that vigilance is paramount. We are closely monitoring all information and have prepared a comprehensive operational plan to help guide us through the upcoming academic year.
Return to Campus Plan
This plan was established by the Iona College Task Force, with input from faculty, staff, students and parents. The plan was developed in accordance with New York State public health guidelines and founded in concern for fulfilling the educational mission of Iona College and the academic integrity of Iona’s educational offerings. Policies and procedures are subject to change as the situation evolves.
Opening Status
To help protect our community, Iona will conduct the first week of undergraduate and graduate Arts & Sciences classes online only starting Monday, August 10, to give every student a chance to submit their negative COVID test results. Online instruction will pertain to all classes. If you elected to take a class in-person, please note that you will begin online and then transition to in-person instruction starting Monday, August 17. Students will not return to campus after the Thanksgiving break. This schedule advances the semester by three weeks to minimize student travel and exposure during the fall semester. Graduate students in the LaPenta School of Business will begin the fall trimester on August 31, 2020, and end on November 16.
The traditional fall break has been canceled. Labor Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day will be considered non-holidays and classes will be held on those days.
All fall classes will be held in a mixed-mode method with synchronous learning both in person and online, with the exception of classes already designated as distance learning (DL). This means the instructor will be teaching students who are learning in person and those who are learning remotely at the same scheduled time. For instance, if a student registers for a class that is scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m., that class will be in session on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. whether it is being taken in person or online. The class will meet on campus, in a room outfitted with technology that allows students who cannot be present in the classroom to still be able to fully participate in the class online.
By preparing courses to be both online and in person, we can accommodate students and faculty who might need to be away from campus during the semester. Moreover, such flexibility will make us ready to transition to full online delivery if circumstances require.
Iona College is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the entire community.
As a reminder, every member of the Iona community must take the COVID-19 PCR test before returning to campus.
Please carefully review each section of the plan to ensure you are prepared for a successful fall semester.
Iona College Reopening Plan 2020 (PDF)
- All employees must be tested within 14 days before returning to campus.
- All students must be tested within 14 days before the start of classes. Students who are returning to campus before the start of classes must be tested within 14 days before coming to campus. Students who do not plan to come on campus this semester are eligible to submit a waiver request.
- Please see detailed information about how to get tested and where to submit results in the Testing and Monitoring section.
- Residential Life: (914) 633-2336, residentiallife@iona.edu
- Student Financial Services: (914)-633-2497, sfs@iona.edu
- Advising: (914) 633-2130, advising@iona.edu
- Tutoring: (914) 633-2217, msannella@iona.edu
- Health Services: (914) 633-2548, rschafer@iona.edu
- Career Services: (914) 633-2462, careerdevelopment@iona.edu
- Counseling Center: (914) 633-2038, bstarkadler@iona.edu
- Student Access Office: (914) 633-2614, access@iona.edu
- IT Help Desk: Submit Work Order, (914) 633-2635
- Task Force Response Team: taskforce@iona.edu
- Press Inquiries: (914) 629-8379, dcostello@iona.edu
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If no soap and water is available, then please use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Students may pick up complementary travel size hand sanitizer from any of the below offices:
- Office of Student Development
- Residence Halls
- Health Services Office
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Minimize contact with others in classrooms, public settings and cafeterias.
- Make sure that your influenza vaccinations are current, as co-infection is considered likely to cause more severe disease than COVID-19 or flu alone.
- Those who work in healthcare settings or with animals should be extra cautious and self-aware of any developing systems, such as fever, coughing, sneezing and body aches.
- Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to stay connected with the Iona College Campus Text Notification System. The Campus Notification System will alert you to any critical issues impacting the Iona community.
- Counseling Center and Resources for Stress Management
- Guest Registration Form
- Software Resources for Students
- Strategies for Online Learning
- Westchester COVID-19 Testing Hotline: (914) 681-2900
- Novel Coronavirus Hotline: 1 (888) 364-3065
- CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- World Health Organization Coronavirus COVID-19
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
- CDC Coronavirus Travel Information
- U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories