Columbia Facilities and Operations announced this afternoon that they will begin removing tents around campus in response to the University’s changes in COVID-19 safety protocols.

Several campus tents—including the Low Plaza tent—will begin to be disassembled starting Tuesday, February 15, according to communication from Columbia Facilities and Operations. The full text of the announcement can be found below.

In addition to the Low Plaza tent, the message stated that the tents in Fairchild Plaza and Weston II Plaza will be subsequently removed as well. The tents at Dodge Plaza, Ancell Plaza, Hamilton Lawn, and Furnald Lawn will remain pitched until the end of the semester. Columbia Facilities noted on Instagram that part of the rationale for maintaining some tents is to accommodate any future surges in COVID-19 cases on campus. 

This announcement comes almost two weeks after the University announced changes to the COVID-19 safety protocol and in-person activities resume. 

Announcement posted by Columbia Facilities and Operations on Friday, February 11:

Consistent with the changes to COVID-19 campus policies and procedures surrounding gatherings that were recently announced, we will be making changes related to the outdoor tents on campus. Some tents will be removed to provide space for student events and activities, while others will remain in place through at least the end of the semester, both to allow individuals who feel more comfortable to eat or socialize outdoors a place to do so, and to have tents in place in case there is a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases.

Beginning Tuesday, February 15, the tent at Low Plaza will be disassembled and removed, followed by the tents at Fairchild Plaza and Weston II Plaza (in front of John Jay Hall) in the days thereafter.

The tents at Dodge Plaza, Ancell Plaza, Hamilton Lawn, and Furnald Lawn will remain in place until approximately Commencement/Alumni Weekend.

As always, we continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic status in the New York City metro area and among our affiliates and may make necessary changes to protect the safety of our campus.   

Caption from @columbiafacilities on Instagram on Friday, February 11:

Big News: Beginning Tuesday, the tent at Low Plaza will be removed in accordance with the recent updates to campus Covid-19 policies surrounding gatherings!

We will also dismantle and remove tents at Fairchild Plaza and in front of John Jay Hall shortly afterward.

We do plan on keeping tents at Dodge Plaza, Ancell Plaza, Hamilton Lawn, and Furnald Lawn in place until approximately Commencement/Alumni Weekend, both to provide comfortable places to eat and socialize outdoors, as well as to have tents in place should there be a sudden rise in Covid-19 cases.

Low Plaza (for now) via Bwarchives