Events and Social Gatherings

Events Protocol

Event participants must follow the state or province entry guidelines if they are traveling to the location, and all university and state guidelines. Any events or programming that bring visitors to campus must follow the Visitors Protocol. Beginning on February 7, 2022, the community can host in-person events and gatherings that no longer need to undergo review, except as needed to reserve space. Events no longer need to be approved through the Events Committee, though additional support and coordination is provided by the committee when requested.

Health and Safety Protocols

It is the responsibility of the Event Host to share current protocols and requirements with event attendees.  

Masks: All attendees, staff, and vendors are required to wear a face mask when indoors on campus, regardless of vaccination status. Speakers who are presenting or teaching may remove their masks when presenting or teaching. Masks should only be taken off when seated in order to eat or drink. Masks must be worn when traveling indoors (for instance while carrying food or beverages to a table).

Proof of vaccination or negative test: All external visitors aged 12 and older who attend campus indoor events, including indoor athletics events, are required to present proof of full vaccination (including a booster shot) or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of the event.

Proof of Vaccination

Negative COVID-19 Test

*Those 11 years old and under are not required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result. Please see the Visitors Protocol for additional information on which visitors are required to submit proof of vaccination.

Event Capacity

Currently, event venues are operating at full capacity. However, event capacity may be restricted by the venue or by the Events Committee to accommodate healthy distancing where appropriate. Academic classes and related gatherings are not considered events and follow separate protocols.

FAQs

Are fully vaccinated and unvaccinated students permitted to attend social gatherings, on or off-campus, without masks and social distancing?

Students should continue to follow local, state, or provincial requirements on social gatherings that take place off-campus. Northeastern requires both fully vaccinated (including a booster shot) and unvaccinated students with an approved exemption to wear a mask at any on-campus event that takes place indoors.

I am planning a university-sponsored event. Can you provide guidance on whether I should still require attendees to wear masks?

Masks are required indoors, for both fully vaccinated (including a booster shot) and unvaccinated individuals with an approved exemption, at any university-sponsored event. All external visitors aged 12 and older who attend campus indoor events are required to present proof of full vaccination (including a booster shot) or provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of the event.

Proof of vaccination is required for events but not for one-time meetings. What constitutes a one-time meeting vs. an event?

Events are promoted widely, either to internal or external audiences, with few or no limits on who can attend. Examples would be:

One-time meetings are limited to a pre-selected group of people, by invitation only. Meetings are with a smaller group and often shorter in duration.

If someone has had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, a PCR test may produce a false positive. Are these people exempt from the test or vaccine requirement?

People in this situation should provide proof of a positive test from a PCR test taken within the last 90 days and at least ten days before the event. People who are vaccinated can also provide proof of vaccination along with this positive test result. We strongly encourage vaccination even for people who have already had COVID-19, in alignment with CDC guidance and the recommendations of public health experts.

What kind of documentation is acceptable for proof of vaccination?

Either the original vaccination card or printed or digital documentation is acceptable. Printed or digital documentation can include a photocopy of the vaccine card or a picture of a vaccine card on a phone.

What are the best ways for event organizers to collect proof of vaccination?

Communicate the requirement to your attendees: Remind attendees of the requirement in your event materials, in your registration forms, and in event reminders. Communicate the check-in and verification process ahead of time so they’re prepared with their documentation.

Use technology to expedite check-in: Using an app like CrowdPass can streamline the digital check-in process to verify vaccination status or negative tests.

Use signage at your event to direct people to check-in: Setting up separate check-in lines for Northeastern community members and external visitors will streamline the check-in process. Signage can direct people to the appropriate check-in line and make sure they’re prepared with their documentation.

Require university members to show their NU ID at check-in: This expedites check-in since all Northeastern community members are required to be vaccinated.

For events with multiple locations: Create a central location for check-in and then provide external visitors with a wristband or other identifier once you verify their vaccination or testing status.