COVID-19 Campus Update and New Measures
Dear NJIT Community Members,
I am writing to update you on several important decisions that have been made based upon the work of the NJIT COVID-19 (coronavirus) Task Force and its consultation and coordination with government agencies, healthcare providers, and peer universities. First, based on current conditions as we continue to monitor and take actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, classes and scheduled exams will continue this week, unless students are directly notified otherwise, and our campus remains open. There have been no reported cases within the NJIT community and the risk of transmission on our campus currently is low.
We now are announcing and implementing additional precautionary measures that will allow NJIT to continue meeting the needs of campus community members who rely upon our services while simultaneously assuring the continuity of NJIT's educational program and its operations. These new steps include the following, until further notice:
–Classes will take place virtually once we return from the Spring recess on March 23 and will continue in that manner until further notice.
–We are encouraging resident students who are able to leave NJIT campus housing after this week to do so and remain away until the university resumes regular operations.
–Visits to campus by non-NJIT community members are being permitted only for what are deemed essential purposes (health, safety, and welfare related). Any exception must be approved at the vice president level.
–Non-essential university sponsored travel to or participation at conferences, meetings, or other events where large groups are present is suspended. Approval for travel is required at the vice president level.
–Teleconferencing should be implemented in place of in-person meetings in all possible circumstances, including for small-group internal meetings.
–All fitness centers and the pool will be closed immediately.
–All upcoming group events/gatherings on campus or sponsored by NJIT are canceled or postponed.
–No spectators will be permitted at on-campus NJIT athletic events.
–The members of NJIT's senior leadership team have developed continuity of operations plans for their particular divisions. These plans may allow for staff to work remotely when and where possible. However, employees who must come to campus to perform their work functions, in whole or in part, will continue to do so in accordance with the plans developed by the senior staff member to whom they or their unit reports.
Please note that these plans will be continuously be monitored, and should conditions dictate necessary changes they will be communicated and implemented. We also are cognizant that these measures may cause disruptions to the lives of individual community members and will provide as much notice as possible when either implementing new guidelines or returning to regular operational status. Useful information as well as a listing of related announcements to the NJIT community will continue to be available at NJIT's COVID-19 web page (https://www.njit.edu/
Thank you for your cooperation as we work to address this rapidly evolving situation and seek to maintain the wellness of NJIT community members.
Sincerely,
Joel S. Bloom, president of NJIT
