Indian Students in the Global Initiatives Program wearing masks while gathered on campus

Fall 2020: Flexibly Learning and Working in the Age of COVID-19


In these unsettling and uncertain times, I’m motivated by Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer: “…grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” These past months have challenged us to define ourselves and our institutions by our response to what is happening rather than by what is happening to us. 

As I welcomed our faculty, staff and returning students back last month for a new semester and academic year, I was especially thrilled to welcome the largest and most prepared first-year class in NJCU’s history. With all the preparations our dedicated faculty and staff have made over the summer, I am confident that we are offering our students the same world-class education we have offered in more settled times.

I know that many of you are eager to return to campus. Facilities, IT, and the academic departments have done a remarkable job of preparing for the fall, ensuring that our first-year students can get off to a good start, important face-to-face instruction can safely continue and all students can get the courses and support they need to complete their degrees in a timely fashion.
I am happy to report that our Center for the Arts, the Art Department, the Athletics Department, various academic departments and others have created remarkable virtual or socially distanced programming for our students and our community. It was the result of many talented and hard-working individuals at NJCU.  

The fall semester is a new beginning and I ask that we as a community come together to respond effectively to the social injustice and systemic racism that has again been exposed by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so many others. Please join us as we institute an Executive President’s Diversity Team charged with the effective hiring of a Diversity & Inclusion Officer who will report directly to the President. It will bring to the forefront important issues like hiring, employee development, and inclusion.

In this spirit of undaunted hope, I look forward to coming together as a community and getting down to the important work that lies ahead.  

Here's wishing you a productive and rewarding semester.

Sue Henderson, Ph.D.

NJCU NEWS & INITIATIVES

Presidential Update on October 14
Presidential Update: October 14
Please join us for the next Presidential Update on Wednesday, October 14 at 2 p.m. when we update the NJCU community on the Fall 2020 semester as we continue to flexibly learn and work during the age of COVID-19.
To register in advance for this meeting, click here.
Add Your Phone to the COVID-19 Fight: Download COVID Alert NJ
Download COVID Alert NJ
At NJCU, we are working hard to keep our campus community safe. The health and safety of each student, faculty and staff member is first and foremost a priority on campus. The New Jersey Department of Health has the same priority and we are writing to urge you to download COVID Alert NJ, a free and secure mobile app recently released by the NJ Department Of Health. NJCU encourages all students, faculty, and staff to learn about the app and how it could assist in keeping you safe and healthy. Learn More
2020 Convocation title page
39th Annual Convocation Rewind
Convocation marks the traditional beginning of the academic year and offers a unique opportunity to rededicate ourselves to NJCU’s mission of teaching, research, and service. Due to the pandemic, the 39th Annual Academic Convocation ceremony was held entire online on September 16. Please visit the Convocation website to see each of the messages from our faculty and our Keynote address from Gina A. Garcia, Ph.D. as well as messages from the university community to students, faculty, staff and speakers.
View the entire playlist of videos from this year's online event.
U.S. News and World Reports banner
NJCU is a Social Mobility Leader
NJCU continues to excel as a leading, top-performing school in multiple game-changing measurements. Notably, NJCU is currently ranked No. 22 in Social Mobility in Regional Universities North by U.S. News & World Report and No. 72 in the nation in the Social Mobility Index. NJCU is home of the Debt-Free Promise. As one of the most affordable public four-year colleges in the state, NJCU is committed to making college accessible. During the Fall 2019 semester, 58% of NJCU’s enrolled undergraduate students qualified for federal Pell Grant funding — $17,823,373 in assistance. Read the full story.
NJBIZ Education Power 50 index
2020 NJBIZ Education Power 50
NJCU President Sue Henderson has been named to the 2020 NJBIZ Education Power 50 index for the second year in a row. The annual listing by NJBIZ, New Jersey’s leading business journal, emphasizes the state’s education leaders based on relevant criteria each year. In 2019, Dr. Henderson was ranked No. 7 in the state on the NJBIZ Power 50 index. Read more.
Virginia Melendez
Melendez Named HACU Fellow
Virginia Meléndez, Ed.D., in her 13th year of service to the University as the Executive Coordinator to the President and Secretary to the NJCU Board of Trustees, has been selected as an HACU Fellow for the second cohort of its Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has announced. Full story.
Ride With Via
Via Offers $2 Rides in Jersey City
Earlier this year, Jersey City operationalized a partnership with the ride sharing service, Via, to better serve areas of Jersey City that may not have convenient access to mass transit. Via is a technology-based bus system that provides ride-sharing services at a $2 flat rate within Jersey City. NJCU students are eligible for a 25% discount off their first two rides. Learn more about this service and commuting to NJCU.
MSCHE Standards Main Title
Middle States Visiting NJCU
Later this month, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) will be visiting our campus (October 18-21), in a virtual format, after the scheduled spring visit was postponed. This important process included a Self-Study and addendum. Accreditation is affirmed and maintained through self-assessment and peer review. Watch this video to learn more about the Middle States experience or visit the NJCU MSCHE webpage.
Dr. Henderson and Tamara Cunningham with Indian students
Dr. Henderson Featured Keynote Speaker with Indian Partners
On September 24, NJCU President Sue Henderson was the Keynote speaker during a virtual presentation with our academic partners in India at the Somaiya Vidyavihar University, H A College of Commerce and the Gujarat Law Society. The focus topic was How Higher Education Institutions in the USA Have Responded to the COVID-19 Crisis. To view the discussion, click here and use passcode E=SR4He6.
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NJCU Zoom Backgrounds Available
Whether you're attending or teaching a class, meeting with colleagues, or enjoying online time with friends, NJCU now offers a variety of Zoom backgrounds to make your virtual calls more vibrant while showing your NJCU pride. NJCU University logos and popular campus destinations are featured, along with 19 different backgrounds featuring the new NJCU athletic spirit marks. Click here for full instructions and backgrounds.

NJCU ATHLETICS

NJCU Golf Outing Promo graphic
NJCU Golf Outing is October 19

NJCU will hold the Inaugural NJCU Athletics Golf Outing on Monday, October 19 at the Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield, N.J. The event will benefit the student-athlete experience, facilities, and the operational success of our 22 sport programs. The event will begin with registration and lunch at 11:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Food, drinks and awards will follow the afternoon of golf. While the event is sold out, sponsorship opportunities are still available by emailing ad@njcu.edu.
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JMAC Now Open for Community

The John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) reopened on September 14 for students, faculty and staff. Occupancy is limited to a maximum of 25% of capacity per designated area. All patrons must utilize an online registration system to reserve time in the fitness center, pool or gymnasium, in advance of their expected visit, by visiting NJCUGothicKnights.com/JMAC.
Learn more about new policies and what to expect.
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NJCU eSports Successfully Debuts

The new NJCU eSports program made a smashing debut on September 28, winning the first two official matches played in school history. The 'Knights' defeated Illinois Wesleyan and The 'Gothics' posted a win over Saint Francis University, in ECAC eSports Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competition. The NJCU 'Knights' defeated one of the world's top-ranked opposing players in the process. Read more.
Marc Brown Top 5 MCA Selection
Marc Brown Honored by MCA

NJCU head men's basketball coach Marc Brown has been selected as one of the Top 5 Division III head men's basketball coaches in the country by the Minority Coaches Association (MCA). He owns a 210-144 career record and is the second winningest coach in program history, behind only his father, Charlie Brown (483 wins). Together they are the winningest father-son combo at one school in Division III history. Read the full story.

NJCU CENTER for the ARTS

Rashad Wright
A Conversation with Rashad Wright

Join us on Tuesday, October 13 at 11:30 a.m. for A Conversation with Rashad Wright `17 — Poet Laureate of Jersey City. The event will be moderated by Edvige Giunta and is presented by the NJCU English Department Student Events and Publications Committee. In 2018, Rashad Wright became Poet Laureate of Jersey City at age 24 — the first poet to receive the title since 2004. Register here.
The Panepinto Galleries
Panepinto Galleries Call for Art

NJCU's Center for the Arts, in conjunction with Panepinto Galleries is partnering with Canopy by Hilton to support the robust culture of the Jersey City Arts District with the area’s first truly elevated hospitality offering, providing a new hub for the fast-growing creative community in the city. As a tribute to the Powerhouse Arts District, Canopy by Hilton is showcasing the exceptional work of talented local artists selected by the hotel’s Art Curator, Stefania Panepinto. The deadline for submission is October 13, at 5 p.m. Submission guidelines.

CITY of JERSEY CITY UPDATE

Investing in green spaces within our City is about more than the city's commitment to protecting the environment. It is about its commitment to the communities that surround them. With more than 60 parks citywide, the City is continually looking to improve and expand its open spaces. Outside of the 500 trees scheduled to be planted this fall based on individual resident requests, the following parks are scheduled for significant updates in the near future and have been funded.
· Arlington Park
· Audubon
· Boyd McGuiness
· Canco Park
· Ferris Triangle 
· Fulton/Bethune 
· Gateway Park
· Martiniak Enright Park
· Mary Benson Park
· Oak Street Park
· Pavonia- Marion
· Pershing Field Sports Courts
· Reservoir 3 
· Summit/Cornelison
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