Yale School of Music Office of the Dean

Dear YSM community members,

The current public-health conditions—and the University's response to these conditions—are changing rapidly as the Omicron surge continues to intensify. We continue to advocate strongly for the unique needs of our School to the University and are working diligently to align our planning with the University’s requirements.

I urge you to carefully read Dr. Stephanie Spangler's message to the University and vigilantly observe the precautions that she outlines in her memo. In light of these additional precautions, I write with preliminary updates on how these new Yale protocols will affect the School of Music.

Access to practice spaces

First and foremost, I want to reassure you that the Hendrie Hall practice rooms will continue to remain available to any student who has completed the University’s arrival testing requirement.

Curricular activities

At this time, it is still our intention that YSM performance activities will begin in person on Thursday, Jan. 20. YSM academic classes will take place online Jan. 18-28, and in-person instruction of academic classes will begin on Monday, Jan. 31. Please note that curricular activities such as seminars, lessons, rehearsals, and classes are not considered events, gatherings, or meetings by the University; these curricular activities are not subject to the restrictions described in the following section.

University policy for Events, Gatherings, and Meetings

Until Feb. 21, all events, gatherings, and meetings of any size should be virtual or postponed until after Feb. 21; any essential in-person events, gatherings, and meetings must be approved by the YSM HSL. Please note that the University has also paused all audience attendance at any Yale performing arts or sporting events until Feb. 21. The School continues to be in conversation with University leadership about our special request to allow internal audiences (YSM/ISM students, faculty, and staff) at some YSM/ISM concerts prior to Feb. 21. We will provide an update at the end of next week.

Yale visitor policy

Until Feb. 21, only visitors providing essential services (faculty or staff-type responsibilities) are permitted; all visitors require advance approval or re-approval by the YSM HSL.

Booster eligibility updated

The duration between the initial vaccination sequence (Pfizer or Modern) and the booster has now been shortened from six months to five months, which means that all community members are eligible to receive a booster sooner.

Updates to isolation

The University is shortening the length of the required isolation period for positive individuals who reside off campus to seven days or until the individual is without fever for 24 hours, whichever is longer. However, upon release from isolation, additional precautions must be observed from days 7-10; YSM students who test positive will be provided with individual precautions to follow during this period.

Staff schedules

From Monday, Jan. 10 through Wednesday, Jan. 19, staff should continue to work a hybrid schedule as determined in consultation with their supervisor. Supervisors, if you would like to request an exception to the in-person schedule for your team, please submit your request to Dean Blocker, Deputy Dean Chen, Chuck Stupakevich, or Stefanie Parkyn, as appropriate. Staff are asked to reduce density and decrease interactions in their areas, and to conduct meetings via Zoom. Staff guidance for the period from Jan. 20 onward will be forthcoming.

Town hall meetings

At the end of next week, I will share updates with students, faculty, and staff via a series of virtual town hall meetings on Zoom. Invitations and information about these meetings will be forthcoming early in the week.

I thank each of you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Warmest regards,