The City University of New York Athletic Conference, together with the University, the colleges' Presidents and Deans and Athletic Directors are pleased to announce the return to a regular schedule of athletic competition and championships for the 2021-22 academic year.
 
Committees that include athletic administrators, athletic trainers, team physicians and others have met on a regular basis to consider how CUNYAC sports competition can take place despite the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through these discussions, the conference office and member campuses prepared protocols focused on the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, spectators, officials, and campus communities. These protocols are subject to change as external and internal circumstances emerge.
 
In an effort to continue ensuring the health and safety of the CUNYAC community, student-athletes will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to being permitted to participate in any CUNY athletic activity. This requirement includes all student-athletes participating in regular season, postseason, or tournament intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic competition and applies regardless of FDA approval of the vaccine.
 
CUNY believes that the health and safety of all of our students is paramount and with COVID-19 rates on the rise nationwide and the emergence of new variants, student-athletes are especially vulnerable to exposure due to the nature of athletic competition. Furthermore, because our student-athletes travel to other campuses and across state lines, there is a greater risk of exposure, infection, and outbreak not only to the student-athletes themselves, but also to our students, staff, and visitors at their home campuses when those athletes return to in-person classes.
 
Per CUNY policy, students may be exempt from the vaccine requirement if they request and receive a medical exemption or religious exception. However, these student-athletes will still be mandated to undergo regular COVID-19 testing and adhere to other related requirements. Students can upload their information by signing in to CUNYfirst and clicking in the Vaccination Verification portal and can also submit their request and supporting documentation for a medical exemption or religious exception. Students can visit the VaxUpCUNY page for additional information.
 
CUNYAC and its members will continue to closely monitor federal, state, and local guidelines, and will consult with each other as well as with the NCAA and NJCAA to ensure the safety of the student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and the entire CUNY community.