Information for Fall 2020

NYU Returns: NYU's hub for COVID-19-related guidance and information.

For University wide guidelines and policies, please visit NYU Returns: NYU's hub for COVID-19-related guidance and information.

NYC Campus COVID-19 Testing Data

Physics Department Main Office

NYU Arts and Science has made the decision to keep the Physics Department main office open in the Fall 2020 semester. In order to minimize in-person contact, the main office would only be staffed by minimal personnel in modified office hours. If you like to speak to a specific staff member, please send an email to arrange for a Zoom appointment. For urgent issues, please contact NYU security or building management at the first floor lobby.

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 10AM-4PM

General Protocol for Facility Usage

  • Wear masks or face coverings at all times unless you are alone in your office. Non compliance will be reported to security and may result in NYU ID deactivation.
  • Please keep right in hallways and on staircases to maintain social distance.
  • Please do not linger in public areas. If you do not have official business in the physics department, we reserve the right to ask you to leave.
  • Do not bring guests to the physics department.
  • The use of common area furnitures and blackboards are strongly discouraged. Depending on the compliance, we might choose to remove common area furnitures later in the semester.

726 Broadway

  • Water fountains:
    Will be operational. Please use disinfecting wipes to clean handle before and after use.
  • Kitchens:
    Will be open. Coffee machines will stay operational. Please use disinfecting wipes to clean handle before and after use. Please do not congregate around coffee makers. Depending on compliance, we might remove the coffee makers later in the semester.
    The department will not supply communal milk for Fall 2020. You can purchase your own milk and creamer, and keep them in the refrigerators with a label.
  • Microwaves and refrigerators:
    Please use disinfecting wipes to clean handle before and after use.
  • Ice maker:
    Ice maker has not been sanitize for more than 6 months. Ice is not safe for consumption.
  • Bathrooms:
    Bathrooms are being tested for airflows. Doors should be kept open to minimize touching door handles after handwashing.
  • Hallway furnitures and blackboards:
    Strongly discouraged. Depending on compliance, furnitures might be removed later in the semester.
  • HVAC modification:
    For the Fall 2020 semster, the ventilation system at 726 Broadway Physics floors will be reprogrammed to bring more than 90% external air all the time. Furthermore, the return air will be filtered to a standard known as MERV 15. That is designated as removing 85% to 95 % of particles 0.3 microns to 1 micron in size. This includes the size of droplets that would contain corona viruses. MERV 15 is just two levels below HEPA which is the system present in clean rooms and some hospital ICUs. Furthermore, the filters will be changed with a frequency of about double the normal rate. Such heavy reliance on external air flow in spaces such as conference and class rooms that hold more than one person means that temperatures might be lower than we are normally used to.
  • Package deliveries:
    Package deliveries would be stored in the holding cabinets in the lobby. An email would be sent by security to the physics package pick-up mailing list. Student workers would also check for package deliveries regularly when they are available.

Physics Course Arrangement for Fall 2020

  • Online only classes: No classroom assigned. Online only.
  • In-Person classes: No cohorts. Students can choose to attend in person or remotely.
  • Hybrid (or bleneded) classes: The number of students in class exceeds classroom occupancy guideline. Students attending in-person will be divided into cohorts. Or they can choose to attend remotely.

 

For Graduate Students

Graduate Students Cohort Assignments and Building Access for Fall 2020

  • If you choose to attend your class in person, check NYU Classes to see your seat assignments and whether your class has been divided into cohorts.
  • Graduate student office space assignemnt: Please contact Gary Mandarano.
  • Office key distribution: Please contact Gary Mandarano.

For First Year Graduate students

  • Typically the physics department provides a linux workstation for each first year graduate student at their office desk. For Fall 2020, since we are uncertain about desk assignments yet, computer hardware provisions will be discussed with students individually later when desk space has been assigned.
  • Details about the Physics department computing accounts will be send out to first year graduate students after orientation on August 28, 2020.

 

For Undergraduate students

Dear Undergraduate friends,

We are writing to inform you of the university and department rules concerning your use of, and access to, our spaces - floors 8, 9 and 10, 726 Broadway. NYU is rightly taking this crisis quite seriously. There is a lot at stake. We are the largest private university in the country and we are in a city that was devastated by the virus. We have to get it right! That means we will be strict on these rules and there can be no exceptions. The university has a punitive process that it intends to apply to "violators". I suggest you review that policy among the material sent you for this term. So with that:

  1. The only access you have to 726 is for your classes, and meetings with professors of those classes (office hours) although most of those are likely to be remote.
  2. There is no lingering before or after class. No hanging out in the lounges, empty class or conference rooms for study or socializing. In fact, the lounge furniture might be removed.
  3. None of the 10th floor Physics Office facilities are available to you. These include Xeroxing, paper cutting, printing, office supplies.
  4. We cannot permit any eating, snacking or drinking, except of the chilled water in the fountains, anywhere in our space.
  5. Implicit in number 1 is that no guests are to be brought into the building.
  6. Also implicit in number 1 is that in-person participation in research is temporarily suspended for undergraduates. This policy will be reviewed after about a month when the disease trend in our community becomes clear.
  7. After hour access is suspended until further notice.
  8. The SPS office is not available. Its lock will be changed. If you have any personal items currently stored there, you may remove them by contacting us.
  9. Goes without saying, but masks are to be worn at all times in our building and you must remain at least 2 meters from anyone else. (Note MKS units)

These are indeed draconian rules, and quite a change from the way we are used to live as a community in physics. But, we have no choice. It is our individual responsibility to prevent a serious recurrence of this disease. If you have any questions feel free to write me, but please remember, no exceptions.

Best
Frank
Frank A. Moscatelli
Clinical Professor and
Chief of Staff of Physics
New York University

  • If you choose to attend your class in person, check NYU Classes to see your seat assignments and whether your class has been divided into cohorts.
  • For students taking undergraduate physics lab courses, please see the Department of Physics policy on labs and remote labs for Fall 2020
  • "Remote Rooms are on-campus spaces where you can attend a class remotely or collaborate with others. Study Rooms are on-AND off-campus quieter spaces with less distractions, whether you need to study or simply have downtime between classes." Plans are being made and finalized for students to reserve these rooms through the NYU Mobile App.

 

For instructors

 

For Researchers

Please contact your lab administrator for special guidelines and PPE locations.