Remote-Only Instruction Begins November 30

Published: Monday, November 16, 2020

Members of the NJIT Community,

I write today to thank you for your cooperation and support of NJIT’s pandemic recovery efforts and to announce that NJIT has made the decision to transition to fully remote instruction on November 30, following the Thanksgiving break. This mode of instruction will continue through the balance of the fall semester and is consistent with our Pandemic Recovery Plan.

Because of your cooperation and adherence to protocols throughout this semester, NJIT has been able to execute its plan for converged learning with in-person instruction, has restarted scholarly research activities, has provided support services to students, and has hosted a significant residential population this fall. The State of New Jersey and the City of Newark, though, are experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases now, and NJIT’s case numbers have increased during the last week, despite remaining much lower than what has been reported at many colleges and universities. 

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy recently issued an executive order allowing municipalities to apply additional restrictions on non-essential businesses in order to stem the spread of COVID, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has instituted a 9 p.m. curfew in the city’s residential areas, in addition to other steps. NJIT joins them in taking a proactive approach by moving to fully remote learning at the end of this month. This decision was made in the interest of maintaining the health and wellness of our university community members.

Though we will transition to remote-only instruction on November 30, please note the following:

  • NJIT’s residence halls will remain open to students.

  • Dining services also will continue to be available for students, faculty, and staff who are on campus during the final weeks of the semester.

  • Student support services will be available based on the current flexible model that allows for both in-person and remote services.

  • Administrative offices will remain at the current level of in-person coverage, unless an adjustment is approved by the area vice president.

  • NJIT will provide on-campus locations for final exams in cases where students have connectivity or privacy concerns.

In these challenging times, NJIT has succeeded in delivering in-person instruction and an on-campus, residential experience to many of its students because of thorough planning and preparation as well as the cooperation of the members of our campus community. As we stated from the outset, we were confident in our plan and our capabilities but needed to be flexible in responding to changing conditions. The current circumstances and the trajectory of COVID cases and hospitalizations in our region make it clear that the changes we are announcing today are the right course of action. 

Thank you for your understanding of NJIT’s decision to transition to remote-only instruction on November 30. I would like to remind everyone who will be on campus at any point in the weeks ahead of the following:

  • Face coverings are required in all public places on campus, both indoors and outdoors, with limited exceptions for eating and drinking.

  • Social distancing continues to be required in all locations on campus.

  • Surveillance testing is both random and voluntary. However, any member of the community who wants to be tested can be tested up to twice per month.

  • The NJIT Health Pledge reminds us to monitor our health and not come to campus if we are experiencing symptoms.

  • Information about our pandemic recovery and various outcomes to date can be found at www.njit.edu/pandemicrecovery/.

For students, faculty, and staff planning to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, we strongly suggest that you postpone or limit personal travel to areas where COVID-19 is particularly prevalent. If you do visit one of these areas, we require that you follow the guidance provided in the October 20 message from the Provost and Dean of Students regarding quarantine and testing. 

Students currently residing in university housing and intending to return home for the Thanksgiving holiday are strongly encouraged to isolate for at least one week prior to leaving and to be tested for COVID before departing campus. Employees should request managerial approval of time off campus to quarantine in advance of travel plans. Managers should ensure operational needs for their respective department are met as defined in the Pandemic Recovery Plan prior to granting such approval.

Thank you, and I wish you a healthy and successful end to the fall 2020 semester.

Sincerely,

NJIT President Joel S. Bloom