Dear Members of the NJCU Community:

The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff is of critical importance. While NJCU has not seen any cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on campus to date, we are working diligently to take every precaution to keep our community safe, particularly given the first confirmed cases in New Jersey.  For the latest updates, visit the CDC and the New Jersey Department of Health websites.

At the present time, the University is operating on a business-as-usual basis, but we are in the process of fine tuning our business continuity plans should alternate arrangements become required.

The University continues to monitor the situation along with the decisions of public and private universities throughout the state.

Following the latest CDC recommendations, we are asking everyone to reconsider international travel and travel to areas of the United States where cases of COVID-19 have been widely reported. While the odds of being infected in the United States remain low, the CDC has identified nations where the risk of contracting the disease is higher. These “Level 3” nations are: China, Iran, South Korea and Italy.

Based on the latest guidance by the CDC and New Jersey Department of Health, students, faculty and staff members who return from these countries may be subject to the following precautions:

• Undergo a health screening and 14 days of self-quarantine with health monitoring to ensure they have not contracted the virus and do not pose a public health risk.
• All asymptomatic (without symptoms) students/faculty/staff members under monitoring must be excluded from work and school for 14 days from their last date abroad.

If your travel plans put you in this category, please contact the NJCU Student Health Center immediately at 201-200-3456.

Our Online Learning team has done a wonderful job of preparing our faculty for a contingency teaching plan. In the event that the situation worsens and there is a disruption of campus operations, the Department of Online Learning is working with the Office of the Provost and NJCU faculty to have classes migrated so that they can be taught online.  View the full set of resources and guidelines for faculty here. Additional information on resources and tutorials will be available shortly.

At this time, NJCU’s residence halls are open.  Should a student experience symptoms and require quarantine, he or she is encouraged to return home if possible, and to inform the NJCU Student Health Center immediately at 201-200-3456.  The University has designated areas to be used as a quarantine space should they have any isolated cases in the residence halls with students unable to return home.

Dining services remains open for all. Arrangements have been made with campus dining for food to be delivered to any quarantined students.  Should larger quarantine efforts be required, Student Affairs has a plan in place. 

We are aware that the use of mass transit may have an impact on the spread of COVID-19. If you normally use mass transit but have access to a car or carpool, and would like to park on campus, visit NJCU’s Parking Facilities webpage. 

Many of our campus activities and events have been canceled or postponed. Please contact the event organizer for an updated status. 

NJCU is increasing awareness across campus regarding proper hygiene and ensuring access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers along with disinfecting common areas as recommended by the CDC.

The best way to limit the spread of viruses is through best practices including covering your mouth when coughing; covering your nose when sneezing; washing your hands frequently; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; staying home if you are sick; and sanitizing and disinfecting frequently touched areas.

The Hudson Regional Health Commission will offer a presentation on the “2019 Novel Coronavirus Update and How You Can Prevent the Spread of Disease” on Friday, March 13, 10-11 a.m. in Ingalls Recital Hall, Room 101, Rossey Hall.

For the latest information and updates regarding this evolving situation, visit the Health and Wellness Center website for coronavirus updates.