Free PCR testing is available through May 5 to members of the Rowan University community who are asymptomatic for COVID-19.

Testing began on the Glassboro campus on Sept. 15, 2021, and consists of a self-administered shallow nasal swab. It's offered every Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Owl’s Nest on the first floor of the Chamberlain Student Center.

The asymptomatic testing program is completely voluntary. Employees and students are welcome and encouraged to make the tests part of their regular routines regardless of whether or not they have had possible exposure to the virus. Asymptomatic students and employees can undergo testing as often as they wish.

Getting tested
Prior to the first test, participants must register for an account with JCM (a registration web site). To register, go to the website, click on “forgot password,” enter your Rowan email and follow instructions to complete registration. The QR code necessary to get tested and check out can be found in the registration card tab.

According to current CDC guidance, for the most accurate results, anyone who is asymptomatic but concerned that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should be tested five days after possible exposure.

Results from the test will be posted on the JCM site usually within 24-48 hours.

As of March 7, unvaccinated students no longer are expected to wear a mask, but still are required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing protocols. 

Testing is done in the Owl’s Nest (Chamberlain Student Center). The Office of the Dean of Students will manage the tracking and scheduling of testing.

Students who do not comply with testing will be held accountable through removal from in-person classes, revocation of housing and dismissal from the University.

All students must submit proof of vaccination or must fill out a declination form that states they are opting out from taking the vaccine due to medical or religious reasons. Students who are unvaccinated must complete weekly COVID-19 testing and follow mask-wearing protocols. The Office of the Dean of Students will coordinate tracking and testing.

No, but they will need to mask in all indoor public settings. According to CDC guidelines, if you’ve had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you don’t have symptoms. You also should wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative. You should isolate for 10 days if your test result is positive. Please contact the Wellness Center, 856-256-4333, for additional information.

Yes. Vaccine clinics have been scheduled for the start of the semester and more will be added as needed. Refer to The Wellness Center for more information and to register.

In the meantime, vaccines and boosters are readily available at county vaccination sites and local pharmacies.

Although the University is recommending that fully vaccinated individuals receive the third dose, Rowan is not requiring it for either students or employees at this time. However, the University will change course if the state updates its requirements or if infection rates negatively impact our ability to operate.

The CDC, the state and our own health officials recommend that all vaccinated individuals get a third dose--a booster shot--of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, or a second dose for those who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

Students with a medical condition or disability that prevents in-person class attendance can contact the Office of Accessibility Services for information and assistance. Students are not to contact individual instructors to request this accommodation; all requests must be directed to the Office of Accessibility Services.

That will be determined by the type of activity and where it will happen.

Faculty will receive a list of students in their in-person classes who have either not submitted proof of vaccination or completed a declination form. Faculty should ask those students to leave class and submit required documentation to the Wellness Center. Faculty will be notified once a student has completed their required documentation.

When information about vaccination compliance is shared with faculty members, the Dean of Students also will provide faculty with guidance on how to handle situations with students who have not submited proper vaccination documentation.

Prior to the start of class, all students will have been repeatedly notified by the Dean of Students that they are ineligible to attend class, live on campus or participate in activities because they have not submitted their documentation.

Students, faculty and staff have access to dining options University wide. Gourmet Dining has implemented operational changes that follow current NJ State and Board of Health guidelines with regard to food service, physical distancing and group gatherings. Although subject to change based upon real-time conditions and data, the following is a general outline for dining options.

In an effort to best meet the needs of the community, mobile ordering (Grubhub) has been expanded to incorporate all current dining locations, including the addition of advance order/to-go offerings from Glassworks Eatery at Holly Pointe Commons. Additional preventative measures designed to protect the community include the conversion of all self-serve dining options to full service and the temporary exclusion of reusable to-go containers and mugs.

Gourmet Dining continues to operate within the NJ State guidelines of safe food service at Glassworks Eatery at Holly Pointe Commons, The Market Place, Rogo and Prof’s Place. Glassworks Eatery is open for both take out and dine-in services daily.

Student organizations can host in-person meetings. Virtual meeting technology remains available for hybrid meetings to accommodate both in-person and online students who also are encouraged to join clubs. Sport clubs have resumed practices and intercollegiate play.

As of March 7, indoor masking will be optional on all campuses in most cases for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. For clubs and organizations holding indoor, in-person meetings, please remember that some people may feel uncomfortable being around unmasked individuals. Additionally, many vaccinated individuals may choose to wear a mask for their own safety or for the safety of their loved ones. Please be respectful of everyone’s choices and accommodating if asked to wear a mask.

Student programming can be viewed on ProfLink.

In the Rec Center, gyms and fitness classes, please follow the policies posted at each facility. Additionally, visit the Campus Recreation website for information on what to expect at the Fitness Center on Victoria Street and the Student Recreation Center. 

Deployed students receive support with enrollment and course completion options. Military students should speak with representatives in the Military Services Office for issues related to training absences, post-deployment quarantining, etc.

Employees should contact their supervisors and Human Resources for any accommodations. The University will continue to review and adjust policies as needed.

In June 2021, the governor rescinded the COVID accommodation providing for remote work when operationally possible. Therefore, all accommodation requests are processed in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA requires medical certification and an interactive process for consideration of accommodation requests. The ADA provides that an accommodation should be considered if it allows a person with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without undue hardship to the institution. The medical certification is required so that a fair and consistent process can be followed.

The process involves several different steps, including seeking clarification from the doctor, working with the supervisor and engaging the employee. No decision is made without the interaction of many parties. An appeal for reconsideration can be submitted to HR. The appeal process will depend upon the circumstances and who made the original decision.

Rowan has been proactive in developing a flexible work policy. There are universities in New Jersey that have either decided not to offer it or are only studying the option at this time. The flex work policy provides for remote work in a manner that still provides for appropriate coverage for student and patient services.

Understanding that spring allergies often have symptoms that mimic upper respiratory infections that seem similar to COVID-19, we ask that all students with such symptoms avoid contact with others and wear a mask when around others until symptoms subside. Also, please wear a mask and get tested if you come into contact with someone known to have COVID-19.

Employees with a coronavirus-related issue or concern should contact The Wellness Center and Human Resources by completing this form. Rowan students with COVID-19 issues or concerns should submit a Wellness Center Student COVID-19 Form and then contact The Wellness Center for guidance. Call 856-256-4333 before coming in. The center is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

Students who opt to see their own physician or obtain testing off campus should also notify The Wellness Center, so we can track cases and conduct contact tracing, if necessary.

Classrooms and public spaces are cleaned and sanitized daily. Rowan’s Facilities team installed plexiglass where necessary as well as sanitizer stations, wipes and spray. These products will be available so when a student leaves or enters a room they can wipe down their space. And, of course, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wash their hands often throughout the day.

Our plans are flexible and designed to accommodate a variety of needs based upon individual circumstances. When a student tests positive, we will connect with the student to gather important information related to isolation and/or treatment protocol. 

Some students may elect to return home to see their family physician and get support from loved ones. Some will only need monitoring and their living arrangement may not require a change. Others may need to relocate to Triad for a period of time.

Triad Hall, a 218-bed hall on the main campus, has been designated for quarantining. Arrangements have been made with Rowan’s dining vendor to provide food to anyone in isolation. Further, Rowan provides medical services, student services and virtual instruction to students in self-isolation.

As is always the case in emergent medical situations, Rowan will notify individuals that students list as emergency contacts if they become seriously ill. Cases will be handled individually and with the utmost respect for students’ wishes.

If a positive case is identified and the affected student attended a classroom within three days prior to onset of symptoms, the students and professor will be notified that they were in a classroom with a known positive case, but present guidance does not call for further action.

If students have life circumstances that prevent them from completing their coursework, they should communicate with their professors and Dean of Students Kevin Koett, deanofstudents@rowan.edu. The University will work with the students to support them in their academic work until they can resume normal activities.

The University instituted a Daily Screening application to collect baseline information on wellness. Students and employees who used Rowan networks were prompted to fill out a brief survey upon logging on each day. However, as of March 7, the daily health screening for students, employees and on-campus vendors will not be required.

Yes. Visit The Wellness Center online to find resources or to make an appointment. The center offers therapy and support groups, workshops, pet therapy and “Chill and Chat” sessions.

You can track confirmed positive cases on campus on the Return to Rowan website.

Vaccinated individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 do not need to quarantine but they should wear masks for two weeks from exposure and seek out a PCR level test five days after exposure. Unvaccinated individuals must report their illness to the Wellness Center (856-256-4333) by completing a Student COVID-19 Form. Staff will contact students and provide guidance about quarantine requirements, testing and assist with contract tracing. 

Employees with a coronavirus-related issue or concern should contact the Wellness Center and Human Resources by completing this form.

If you are a student, contact the Office of Accessibility Services.

If you are a Rowan employee, contact the Office of Employee Equity for more information.

As of March 7, indoor masking will be optional on all campuses except in the following cases:

• In health care clinical settings (wearing a mask is required);
• On public transportation, including the Rowan Shuttle;
• When you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19;
• When you are instructed to wear a mask by a healthcare provider;
• If you feel ill with upper respiratory symptoms or you are COVID-positive, and isolate.

The masking change is for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. Unvaccinated individuals still must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.

It’s important for all of us to remember that some people may feel uncomfortable being around unmasked individuals. Additionally, many vaccinated individuals may choose to wear a mask for their own safety or for the safety of their loved ones. Please be respectful of everyone’s choices. 

In instances such as one-on-one meetings, either party may request that a mask be worn. If that is not acceptable to either person, an alternative arrangement should be scheduled.

• In health care clinical settings (wearing a mask is required);
• On public transportation, including the Rowan Shuttle;
• When you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19;
• When you are instructed to wear a mask by a healthcare provider;
• If you feel ill with upper respiratory symptoms or you are COVID-positive, and isolate.

Per CDC Order, masks are still required on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

The South Jersey Transportation Authority operates the Rowan Shuttle system and follows the rules set forth by the federal Transportation Security Administration and CDC relating to “public transportation.”

Faculty who are impacted by COVID and need to work remotely should notify their department chairs and/or dean that they are switching to remote instruction for a two-week period in accordance with the memorandum of agreement.  

Rowan developed an Acknowledgment of Responsibility that students must complete after receiving educational materials related to COVID-19. Compliance expectations have been included in the Student Code of Conduct.

We care about our students and we want them to be successful. We are also committed to holding students accountable. If students don’t comply with those standards, they may be asked to leave the Rowan community.

Residential students both on and off campus are receiving personal visits from our Dean of Students to remind them of our expectations. We’re also working closely with Glassboro and Gloucester County law enforcement officials.

We’re reporting the number of confirmed cases we’ve identified here.

After we learn about a confirmed case, we will advise individuals to notify their close contacts (professors, colleagues, classmates, friends, etc.) and:

• All Rowan students and employees are required to submit a report electronically for any positive test following an at-home rapid, healthcare-administered rapid or PCR-positive test. Based on that report, they will receive instructions on self-isolation.
• The Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students will notify faculty of a student's required isolation period.
• Contact tracers will be available to follow up with individuals if requested and support data collection through the end of the spring semester.
• Weekly asymptomatic testing in the Owls Nest will continue on Wednesdays and Thursdays (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) for Rowan students and employees who are unvaccinated through May 5. Any Rowan student or employee may participate in this testing as well.
• As of March 7, daily online screenings are no longer required, but all Rowan students and staff should assess their own health daily and avoid contact with others when ill.