Message to the NJIT Community of Alumni, Friends, Faculty & Staff

Dear NJIT Community Members and Friends,

A time of optimism and promise every year at NJIT is Convocation.  When I welcome the new class of Highlanders and speak to them about the shared characteristics and experiences of NJIT students, I  tell them that they are surrounded by people who are intelligent, hardworking, diverse and committed to improving the quality of life in New Jersey, nationally and globally. I let them know, if they are not already aware, that they will be challenged and, at times, will experience self-doubt. I also remind them that they are joining an engaged community whose members are dedicated to and will support one another to overcome educational and other challenges.

Today, we are confronted with COVID-19, a serious threat to all of us, no matter who we are, where we live or where we happen to be in the course of our lives. As we know, this global pandemic is affecting all aspects of our lives—our health, our mortality, our socio-economic and emotional well-being. This pandemic not only spreads a deadly virus, it fosters anxiety, fear and, for some, depression. Those feelings are compounded by the necessity to stay physically distant from one another, possibly isolated, which runs counter to our very human desire to come together during times of crisis.

NJIT is working to combat COVID-19. We have moved fully to online instruction for all students this semester, loaning computers and webcams to students, faculty and staff who need them. We have canceled or postponed all university events. We are thoroughly analyzing our FY 2020 and 2021 budgets for cost savings. All employees have been directed to work remotely in order to ensure social distancing, except those identified as essential. Needless to say, these actions have been very disruptive for our university community but are absolutely critical as we work together to defeat the virus. We also are inventorying all of our personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and face shields, and donating them for use by health care providers in Newark as well as our regional and state communities. We have offered the use of NJIT’s Makerspace for prototyping PPE and have deployed NJII’s supply-chain tools (e.g., Marketshift) to assist industry in its efforts to combat COVID-19.  We are communicating frequently with federal and state officials and have formed an NJIT COVID-19 Task Force and advisory committee that have broad representation from throughout our university community in order to anticipate and identify issues, strategies and tactics, and to offer solutions to these extraordinary challenges. The Task Force, with campus-wide support, developed the NJIT COVID-19 Pandemic Continuity of Operations Plan. Though we are physically apart, we are hard at work in providing for the health, safety and well-being of our community.

Clearly, our lives have changed—at least temporarily but possibly for a much longer period of time, and likely in ways that we do not yet fully comprehend. One thing has not changed, though, and that is the character of the NJIT community. To no one’s surprise, our students, faculty, alumni and friends continue to reach out and offer assistance. We know that COVID-19 will be defeated through the efforts of so many, including you, by making a contribution toward the solution. Some of you will contribute through scientific and technological innovation. Others will help mitigate the economic impact of this crisis on families and the most vulnerable in our society. And all of us, at a minimum, need to follow the guidance of medical professionals by doing what may seem uncomfortable or unnatural—staying physically away from one another for the time being.

While challenged and geographically separated from our community, my colleagues and I remain optimistic about solutions to COVID-19. I also believe that we will be better prepared to anticipate and respond to future pandemics. Because of the important work that so many of you do at the university and in your professions, I am confident that we will prevail. So, throughout this most difficult time, I urge you to stay safe, well and committed to doing good. Thank you for all you are doing and your on-going support.

Sincerely,

NJIT President Joel S. Bloom