Dear Members of the NJCU Community,

The University continues to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation daily, and as a result, has put the following measures in place:

Online Classes

All instruction at NJCU will be moved to online delivery beginning Monday, March 16, to ensure the health and well-being of our community.  Barring unforeseen circumstances, classes will resume in a face-to-face setting on Monday, March 30. The university will remain open and operational during this period.  Any student who requires assistance during this time should contact the Dean of Students Office at Jbailey2@njcu.edu.

The Office of the Provost, the Department of Online Learning, and the academic leadership in the Schools and departments are prepared to offer assistance in transitioning courses to online learning formats and are pleased to help anyone seeking support.

Students engaged in internships, co-0p, or other off-site activities should contact faculty advisors or school deans for guidance on how to complete tasks prior to the resumption of on-campus classes. 

Instructors seeking online instructional resources can start at the NJCU Instructional Continuity page. The Office of the Provost and Online Learning will be sending communications to instructors regarding support and workshops that will be offered.

Blackboard tips and information on online instruction. Additional support information will be forthcoming to students once finalized.

Online Learning will update the Blackboard landing page at http://blackboard.njcu.edu regarding announcements and important support information for students and faculty.

The NJCU Campus Remains Open

The campus will remain open, though students are strongly encouraged to stay home. Students who choose to come to campus are advised to practice social distancing and will also take their classes online. Anyone who has been in contact with someone carrying COVID-19 or is exhibiting symptoms, should self-isolate and notify their healthcare provider or the NJCU Student Health Center immediately.  The Student Health Center may be reached at 201-200-3456.

University services will remain available to faculty, staff, and students.  Updates will be provided as necessary.  Students who work on campus are welcome, but not required, to maintain their normal work schedules. Please contact your supervisor with any questions. For additional information and resources, and ongoing updates, visit the NJCU coronavirus website.

Residence Halls

The NJCU residence halls (West Campus Village, Co-Op, and Vodra) will remain open.  Students may wish to stay home until March 30 if possible, to help minimize any risk of Coronavirus transmission.  While we understand that leaving the residence halls may not be an option for everyone, it is suggested that if you can remain home, do so. We encourage students to limit their social gatherings and practice safety protocols outlined by the CDC.

Beginning at 9:00 am, Friday, March 13, no daytime or overnight guests will be permitted in the residence halls, including other residential students or NJCU students.  Only those assigned to spaces within each particular building will be allowed to enter.  All students must show their ID, and failure to comply with these regulations will result in immediate removal from the halls. This temporary guest policy will be reviewed again after March 30.

Dining Services

The Vodra Cafeteria will remain open for those students who are on campus or who need access to their meal plan.  Dining locations and hours of operation are as follows.

Gourmet Dining Schedule for March 16-29, 2020

Vodra Cafeteria
Monday-Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Dunkin
Monday–Friday:  8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday:  Closed

Closed Until Further Notice:
GSUB Cafe, Roundtable, Catering

Travel

The University has canceled all study abroad programs until further notice.  All international travel sponsored by NJCU has been suspended.  NJCU strongly encourages all members of the community to reconsider any upcoming travel, especially to areas where there has been a significant incidence of COVID-19.  Any member of the community returning from a country designated Level 2 or 3 by the CDC is required to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus.  Because of the higher risk that cruises present, anyone taking a cruise is required to self-isolate at home for 14 days before returning to campus.

Self-Quarantine Mandate

Students, faculty and staff returning from locations where a CDC Warning Level 3 travel health notice for COVID-19 is in effect must not return to NJCU campus locations or facilities. Instead, they will need to notify their supervisor(s)/instructor(s) and impose self-quarantine at home for 14 days. If you have questions about self-quarantine, please visit the CDC Travelers Returning from High Risk Countries website and contact your health care provider or local health department.

Faculty and Staff Best Practices

While on campus, employees are strongly encouraged to conduct meetings using teleconferences or web-based environments, in lieu of in-person meetings of more than 15 people in an effort to promote social-distancing, which health experts are advising as a way to slow the spread of the virus.

Campus Events and Activities

Beginning Monday, March 16, NJCU events and in-person meetings involving groups of more than 15 participants are cancelled or delivered through another format through at least March 30; should you have questions regarding a particular event, please contact your respective vice president.  This policy will be further reviewed and any updates shared on April 1.  Groups with events scheduled from April 1 onward should begin considering alternative plans or delivery methods.  Athletics administration will follow the guidance of local health officials, the University’s Crisis Leadership Team, and their respective athletic conferences.  Club sport competitions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Preventative Measures

All members of the campus community should continue to follow best practices to avoid illness, including frequent hand washing and avoiding touching one’s face with unwashed hands.  If you are not feeling well, do not attend classes or work. Stay home, and contact your healthcare provider.

I would like to thank each of you for your willingness to work within these circumstances as we navigate through this challenging time. Our goal is to ensure that our students are receiving quality education and that the NJCU community stays healthy and safe. 
 

Sincerely,

Sue Henderson, Ph.D.