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Fall 2020 Housing Reopening Plan

• Repopulating Our Campuses
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• Testing is Key to a Safe Return
• A Safe Working Environment
• Workplace Environment
• Social Distancing
• Enhanced Cleaning and Building Maintenance
• Employee Safety
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• Monitoring
• Testing, Investigation and Isolation
• Use of Face Coverings
• Overview of the Daily Screening Process
• Health and Wellness FAQs

Enhanced Cleaning of Residence Halls

• Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting
• Shared Bathrooms
• Lounges, Study Rooms and Kitchens
• Laundry Rooms

Enhanced Cleaning of Academic and Administrative Locations

• Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Across the University
• General Classrooms
• Lab Spaces
• Computer Labs
• Offices
• Restrooms

General Guidance for the University Community to Assist in Maintaining a Clean Environment

• Lounges, Study Rooms and Kitchens

Enhanced Cleaning Protocols in Student Life

• Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Areas in High-Traffic Areas for Students
• Common Areas
• Meeting Spaces
• Offices

Enhanced Cleaning at Campus Recreation Facilities

• Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting at the Rec Center
• General Areas
• Fitness Equipment
• Outdoor Facilities
• Offices
• Restrooms

Enhanced Cleaning at the Chamberlain Student Center & Campus Activities

• Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting
• Restrooms
• Offices
• Main Entrances and Lounge Areas
• Meeting Rooms
• Replenishing Supplies
  

• Academic Instruction
• Athletics
• Libraries and Computer Labs
• Using Campus Shuttles
• Rowan University Travel
• General Guidance for a Healthy Rowan
• Visitors and Vendors
• Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

Dear University community:

I am excited to share with you that the N.J. Department of Health has selected our School of Osteopathic Medicine to manage and host a regional COVID-19 vaccination center at the Stratford campus.

Many of our colleagues have been working around the clock  for the past week developing extensive distribution plans so that we can vaccinate 300 people a day, five days a week. We will begin by vaccinating front-line health care providers, and then open registration to groups as outlined by state health officials, including non-healthcare employees, students and the general public. We expect that our site will be active for at least the next six months.

We will not have a definitive date to open registration until the state shares its plans next week. We are prepared, however, to distribute any vaccine they ask us to.

I thank SOM Dean Tom Cavalieri and his vaccination center planning team for the incredible work they have done to prepare for this historic initiative. I expect every one of us will have a role to play in this effort in the coming weeks and months. We should all be very proud to participate in this enormous public health intervention.

Once again, we will have more information to share once the New Jersey Department of Health unveils its plans for distributing vaccines to centers across the state. We will post updates and share FAQs on our website.

Congratulations to all!

Yours truly,

Ali A. Houshmand

The Wellness Center on the Glassboro campus is offering students free asymptomatic COVID-19 testing and flu shots this week.

Public health officials recommend testing 5 to 7 days from an exposure. Students interested in getting tested must register by tomorrow, Monday, Nov. 30, 11:00 p.m. Students interested in receiving a free flu shot can register with the same form. All testing and flu vaccinations will be given this Thursday, Dec. 3. 

This clinic is NOT for symptomatic or those that recently tested positive for Covid 19. 

We ask that students be careful and observe proper distancing protocols as they return to our campuses.

For more information, call the Wellness Center at 856-256-4333.

Contact Information:
Wellness Center at 856-256-4333

Dear Rowan community,

With Thanksgiving break just a few days away, we are writing to encourage everyone to enjoy the holiday and stay vigilant about health and safety as so many of us may spend time with family and friends who are outside our bubble. 

Taking extra precautions
As of today, nearly 1,300 students and almost 800 employees registered for COVID-19 testing to help do their part in identifying and preventing infection before the holiday. The test is a snapshot in time that doesn’t guarantee being uninfected beyond that date, but it will help hundreds make better decisions about their Thanksgiving plans.

Whether you travel or remain close to campus to celebrate, we ask everyone to be mindful of state travel restrictions and safety measures for making your visits and trips safer. 

For students staying on the Glassboro campus, we will host a free Thanksgiving dinner and holiday-themed activities through the weekend, all with well-being, health and safety in mind.

Finishing strong, with options
We look forward to welcoming everyone back from the holiday so we can finish the semester strong in every way. In the final weeks of the semester, we will continue to provide accommodations and support in a variety of ways, including two focused on academic success:

• For fall, the only classes meeting in person are those with physical presence required. However, faculty can make accommodations on a case-by-case basis if attendance for presence-required becomes a concern. Students living in residence halls may return for the balance of the semester even if they have fully remote instruction.
  
  
• We know it has been a challenging semester, so some students may find the pass/no credit option (announced in yesterday’s letter to students) something to consider in the next several weeks.

Thankful and Rowan PROUD
Because students and employees remained committed to caring for each other over the last few months, our University community earned kudos for our efforts to keep safe and healthy. You’ve made us proud of your efforts to demonstrate respect, kindness and a sense of shared responsibility. Thank you. Let’s make it to the finish together.

We wish everyone a restful, happy Thanksgiving and a safe and healthy celebration.

Regards,

Tony Lowman, Ph.D., Provost
Kevin S. Koett, Ed.D., Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students
Scott Woodside, Director of the Wellness Center

Common Questions 

Rowan University has partnered with LabCorp Employer Services to provide free at-home, self-collected COVID-19 testing for employees and medical school students. Nasal swab tests from Pixel by LabCorp can be ordered online here. The visitor access code to create your account is rowan. For more information about the testing process, contact LabCorp’s customer support at 1-844-251-6524.

How testing works
The kit, which will be delivered to homes and returned to the lab via FedEx, includes all of the supplies you will need, including detailed instructions to complete your self-collection. Upon completing your test and securing it in the postage-paid, pre-addressed FedEx return package, you will deliver it to a FedEx drop box. All instructions will be in your package.

Timing
According to LabCorp, if you order the test by 3 p.m., it will be sent overnight and delivered to your home by FedEx the next day. If you order after 3 p.m., it will be shipped the following morning.

Completed nasal swab tests must be delivered to a FedEx drop box the same day you collect your sample. You will be able to track your sample on the LabCorp web site.

Results
Once received by the lab, results will be available on the secure, online HIPAA-compliant portal where you requested your kit. You will receive an email when your kit has been received and results are ready to view. Results will be available in two to four days. If your test comes back positive for COVID-19, a health care professional will contact you to help you with next steps. Rowan also will be notified about a positive test result.

About testing
Please understand that a negative test does not tell the whole picture. The incubation period for COVID-19 is 2-14 days, meaning there is a window where someone could be infected and still test negative. A test is simply a snapshot in time.

Stay vigilant
As always, to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, public health officials recommend reducing the number of potential exposures you may encounter, wearing a mask, focusing on physical distancing and remaining vigilant.

• Course delivery: Many courses in the mode “Physical Presence Required” will continue to hold in-person class sessions and may administer final exams in person. Individual instructors will communicate specific plans to their class no later than Friday, November 20. All “Physical Presence Optional” courses will meet virtually following Thanksgiving (Monday, November 30 – Wednesday, December 9) and will offer final exams in a virtual format, and all Fully Virtual courses will also continue to be offered virtually. This video shows how to determine the mode of delivery for each course. For courses in any mode of delivery, the Testing Center is available for accommodated testing for any eligible student registered with Disability Resources who chooses to use it.
  
  
• Finishing strong academically: The last day of class is Wednesday, December 9. Reading and Review Day is Thursday, December 10; no mandatory or graded academic activity is held on this day to enable students time to prepare for final exams, which begin on Friday, December 11 and end on Thursday, December 17. Students are reminded that the expanded P/NC option available in spring 2020 is not available in fall 2020. Please be sure to use campus resources to boost your academic success. Free virtual tutoring is available through December 9; please contact tutoring@rowan.edu to check for availability after that date.
  
  
• Campus Life: University housing and affiliated properties remain open for students to stay on campus during the Thanksgiving break or to return following Thanksgiving. Dining and student activities also will remain available through and after the break. Residential students can find more information in their Rowan email. The University is remaining open and students will have access to campus buildings, facilities, and services following Thanksgiving break.
  
  
• Keeping our communities healthy: Students are reminded of the importance of mask wearing, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings during the holiday season to keep themselves, their families, and the Rowan community healthy.

Rowan University will offer free asymptomatic coronavirus testing to all students and employees before Thanksgiving Day to continue efforts to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Students will be tested, primarily using saliva tests, at a tent on Robinson Circle. Employees and medical school students will be able to request a nasal swab test to be mailed home.

Accurate, reliable testing is only one tool in the fight against COVID-19. When coupled with diligent physical distancing and good public health practices, these safety measures can provide a high degree of reassurance.

Student testing:
Testing begins on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Students must register for testing at least 72 hours in advance. Click here for more information and to schedule your test. Your insurance will not be processed and results will be back within four days.

Any negative test result will be emailed to your Rowan email account. Students with a positive test result will be called by Rowan University health staff and contact tracers.

Public health officials do not recommend retesting if you’ve had a positive result in the past three months. There have been cases of individuals testing positive for weeks or months after a confirmed infection.  This offering is for asymptomatic students. If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, contact the Wellness Center at 856-256-4333 or your healthcare provider.

Students who test positive for the virus will be offered the opportunity to isolate on campus in Triad Hall, the residence building set aside for isolation throughout the semester. The University will continue to provide health monitoring and meals for students throughout their stay in Triad Hall.

Students who choose to remain on campus or nearby over the long Thanksgiving weekend will be able to enjoy activities the Division of Student Life is hosting, including a Thanksgiving Day meal and outdoor, in-person programs, as appropriate based on public health considerations. Dining services also will be available throughout the weekend.

Register at: https://sites.rowan.edu/universityevents/covidtesting.html
Testing location: Robinson Hall Circle (Park in Lot 0-1)

Employees and medical school students:
Employees and medical school students will have the opportunity to register online to receive at-home nasal swab testing kits. More information regarding the process will be announced this week.

While the trajectory of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise across the state and region, Rowan is ready for expanded or reduced operations if Gov. Murphy adjusts restrictions.

The Emergency Management Operations Team recently reviewed and updated the University’s plan, which includes items that explain new processes and protocols in a more restrictive status than we are operating in today. Significant changes are highlighted in the document in blue, and include:

Pg. 2 — Clarification of operations during all three stages

Pg. 23 — Instructional delivery strategy for spring semester

Pg. 34 — Clarification of who can request on-campus housing during Stage 1

Pg. 36 — Description of the spring 2021 housing plan

Pg. 38 — Description of our housing plan during Stage 1

Pg. 40 — Description of library operations during Stage 1

Pg. 49 — Details about travel and cancellation of study abroad programs

For more information, please contact the following offices:

• Office of the Provost, 856-256-4108
• Office of the Dean of Student, 856-256-4283

To continue efforts to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Rowan University will offer free coronavirus testing to all students and employees before Thanksgiving Day.

“We know that the virus spreads most often among people who know each other—family members and friends,” says Rowan President Ali A. Houshmand. “By offering testing, we can do our part to keep all members of our extended Rowan University family safe.”

Saliva and nasal tests are scheduled to be available to all students starting the week of Nov. 16. Currently, 4,100 students live on Rowan’s campus and approximately 2,000 students live nearby in Glassboro. Employees will be able to request home test kits.

Details about registering for the free screening will be announced soon, according to Scott Woodside, director for the Wellness Center.

“Members of our campus community, particularly our students, have done a great job in taking measures to limit transmission of the virus at Rowan,” says Woodside. “By offering testing before Thanksgiving, we hope to continue to help them and their families stay well. They must, however, be vigilant about maintaining good health and safety practices when they are around family and friends,” says Woodside.

Students who test positive for the virus will be offered the opportunity to isolate on campus in Triad Hall, the residence building set aside for isolation throughout the semester. The University will continue to provide health monitoring and meals for students in Triad, according to Woodside.

Students who choose to remain on campus or nearby over the long Thanksgiving weekend will be able to enjoy activities the Division of Student Life is hosting, including a Thanksgiving Day meal and outdoor, in-person programs, as appropriate based on public health considerations. Dining services also will be available throughout the weekend.

• Communal spread—with friends and family—is risky because we assume everyone has been careful. If one person is infected, a long weekend at home or even a few hours together can make many people virus carriers, even if they show no symptoms.
  
  
• Casual contact can be unsafe, especially if you’re near someone for more than 15 minutes at less than six feet distance. Wearing a mask is critical, especially when you’re with people outside your “bubble” or “pod.”
  
  
• We will continue to make decisions based on science, public health knowledge and our virus metrics, with health and safety as our priority. For the most recent virtual COVID status update sessions, view the recordings for students and employees online.
  
  
• Every time our positive cases go up, Rowan community life is in jeopardy. We are continually monitoring our public health. A late-October/early November outbreak of COVID-19 could significantly change how we finish this semester and the school year.

This week’s update on our Return to Rowan plan includes encouraging news in a number of areas, starting with these quick snapshots of our University health:

• New confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 dropped throughout the University last week.
• Students in on-campus isolation at Triad Hall — only two as of Friday — are recovering relatively quickly and continuing their studies.
• Active cases overall are declining.

We’ve worked hard throughout the pandemic to protect the Rowan community and our neighbors—and we plan to keep up the intensity of our fight. As we look forward to more progress, we share more news from throughout campus:

Academic options expanding
Last week, a number of faculty and students opted to start more in-person instruction on the main campus. While we’re not near our normal on-campus academic activity and we expect many to prefer remote and hybrid options for the foreseeable future, we’ll continue to expand classroom and lab opportunities as much as possible within health and safety guidelines.

Athletics teams start training
The start of team conditioning in small groups for student-athletes in our fall Athletics programs begins this week. With careful team activities underway, we are hopeful about eventual competition as Athletics leadership and our conference develop plans for the rest of the year.

Increased testing, more promising results
In just the last two weeks, the number of students being tested for COVID-19 increased significantly. Testing those with and without symptoms helps ensure that we’re providing health care and resources to those who need them, slowing the rate of infection and capturing a reliable picture of our population’s health. 

Continuing communication sessions
Last week we responded to our borough neighbors’ concerns  with our third online town hall conversation about the campus and community. This week, we will hold the next of several Webex meetings to present information and answer questions for employees and students:

Wednesday, October 7, 4 p.m.: Employee update
Wednesday, October 7, 6 p.m., Student update

If you can’t attend the virtual session, you can review the recording of these and earlier sessions posted on the Rowan YouTube channel.

New mobile phone app: Anonymous alert
COVID Alert NJ, a new free and secure mobile phone app, is now available to assist all of us in our fight against COVID-19. Available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, New Jersey’s exposure notification app will anonymously alert users if they have been near someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and offers other services to help individuals fi ght infection.

Staying the course
Although we’re gaining confidence from progress so far and many are eager to ramp up instruction and activity, it’s prudent to take our time. We will keep relying on science and public health guidance as we implement and adapt our return plan. Our gradual, cautious approach is helping keep the Rowan community safe and reducing the chance of setbacks.

Thank you, everyone, for your flexibility, patience and commitment to each other in these historic and challenging days. We are making a difference, apart and together.

Tony Lowman
Provost

Kevin S. Koett
Interim Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students

Scott Woodside
Director, Wellness Center

COVID Alert NJ, a new free and secure mobile phone app, is now available to assist all of us in our fight against COVID-19.

Available for download on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, COVID Alert NJ is the state’s new exposure notification app. It will anonymously alert users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, it will provide users with up-to-date information on New Jersey reopening news, key COVID-19 metrics, and a user-friendly symptom tracking tool.

How COVID Alert NJ works
Using either the Apple App Store or the Google Play store, users download the app and opt-in to receive Exposure Notifications.

As you go about your day, the app will use Bluetooth to sense any close contacts—other app users who come within six feet of you for 10 or more minutes.

When the app senses a close contact, your phone will exchange a secure random code with the close contact’s phone. Your location and name are never disclosed.

If you test positive for COVID-19, a public health representative will call you and ask you if you’re willing to anonymously notify your close contacts by uploading your app’s close contact codes.

Each day, the app will compare your list of close contact codes to the list of codes associated with positive COVID-19 app users. If there is a match, you will receive an Exposure Alert, along with appropriate next steps.

An important tool
Use of the app will alert you if you’ve been in contact with another app user who has tested positive, even if that person is a stranger. It will allow you to track your symptoms and offer guidance on how to protect yourself and others in our community. And it will provide the latest information and statistics related to the pandemic.

For more information
Visit the COVID Alert NJ website. There, you’ll find a robust Q&A section addressing how the app works, data and privacy issues, and technical specifications and user experience, among other topics.

We urge you to download the app, which gives our University another tool to work together to fight COVID-19.

Tony Lowman
Provost

Kevin S. Koett
Interim Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students

Scott Woodside
Director for the Wellness Center

Dear Rowan community,

Together, we planned and prepared for the fall semester, balancing caution and optimism, flexibility and safety. Together, so far, we’ve had a strong start and promising results, thanks to everyone’s collaboration, creativity and vigilance.

As we continue to examine COVID-19 health statistics on a daily basis, we are relieved and grateful to report that our infection rates are trending down. This is good news for every member of our community and it allows us to move carefully and thoughtfully to the next step in our semester plan.

More in-person instruction to begin
Until now, we’ve had approximately 17 percent of classes meeting in person, mostly in studio and lab courses. As the rate of new confirmed cases continues decrease, we will be adding more in-person opportunities to our hybrid and remote options. Starting Monday, Sept. 28, we plan to increase in-person instruction incrementally. Following our plan, every aspect of our progress will be measured and implemented with utmost caution.

Faculty who choose to return to in-person activity will notify their students so they can decide if they’d like to attend physically or continue with remote instruction. Everyone who returns to a Rowan facility will find reminders about health and safety. Everyone will be required to comply with requirements for wearing face coverings, limiting distance and density.

Athletics and recreation
Starting Oct. 5, Athletic teams will begin training together and the Fitness Center is scheduled to open. Staff and students in all Athletics and recreation facilities must be vigilant about health and safety, especially with indoor activity. We will spend next week working with the individual teams to review their safety plans and help ensure they are prepared to welcome students.

Proceeding carefully, prepared to reverse
At any point, if we see our infection rates rising, we will roll back in-person instruction and activity. Our plan is robust and practical, designed to flex week-by-week, given various conditions. Our plan also depends on people to follow it. We can’t let down our guard. We must keep health and safety as our priority.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our community. We’re hopeful and eager about our progress. We look forward to more good news as we take next steps.

Sincerely,

Tony Lowman
Provost

Kevin S. Koett
Interim Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students

Whether you’re faculty or staff interacting with students in person or remotely, you know the past few weeks have been exciting and intense. While it’s a relief to see most things running smoothly and our health metrics are showing positive trends, we must remain cautious and flexible. It is vital that we remain vigilant in our efforts to combat this virus.

We are writing today to respond to concerns and questions that have come up now that we’re underway with in-person, remote and hybrid instruction throughout the institution.

Employee responsibilities

Working in higher education during the pandemic has raised more new questions than ever. It’s important that you feel comfortable engaging with students while taking appropriate action to protect students and everyone in our community. Here are three points that have been in question frequently:

I found out that a student is positive for COVID-19 and may not have reported being infected.
Simply stated, you must report information about COVID-19 shared with you by students to ensure appropriate follow-up, whether they reside on-campus or off-campus (including students who are living at home, at their primary residence). 

• You are required to share that information with the Dean of Students through email or this form. Even if you believe that the student has already shared the information, please report it. We would prefer to have duplicate reports than miss information critical to caring for the student and protecting others.
  
  
• If you have any reason to be concerned about a student’s health or well-being, whether COVID-19 related, or not, please submit that information. If your concern is urgent, please dial 256-4911 for immediate assistance. If the issue is not urgent, please:
  • email the Dean of Students
  • complete the COVID-19 Concerns and Information Report form
  • or complete the Student of Concern form

I am concerned about sharing information that would require a student to be isolated or quarantined.
While you may not want to be the “reason” that a student is isolated or quarantined, by sharing information with the Dean of Students, you help us make sure students get the support they need in a safe setting and help protect the well-being of the entire community. Wellness Center, Student Life and Gourmet Dining staff are providing services for students in Triad Hall. Our goal is to support the students’ recovery, help them continue classes remotely and slow the spread of the virus.

I shared information about a student’s COVID status but didn’t get any follow-up.
Because of health information protections, you may not receive an update about the student’s health. However, we are working to ensure that you receive an email confirming that the information has been received so the Wellness Center and other staff may reach out to the student. If you have continuing concerns, please contact the Dean of Students to make sure the information was received. You may also contact your department head or dean, who can also follow up.

Face coverings and room capacity
At Rowan, essential basic precautions for protecting each other include two things:

• Everyone must wear a face covering while in common areas of University facilities like classrooms, hallways, restrooms and other shared spaces. It is not optional. Failure to do so will result in appropriate disciplinary consequences.
  
  
• All faculty and staff must adhere to capacity guidelines and ensure social distancing in any in-person educational activities. If you have questions about capacity, please contact your department head or dean.

Contact tracing and information sharing
Contact tracing is a critical component of managing COVID-19. It is effective, but it is also labor-intensive and time-consuming. It becomes more challenging when individuals do not provide complete or timely information. Please be considerate, vigilant and forthcoming when responding to contact tracers, whether from Rowan or other agencies.

We appreciate all you are doing to help us help our students and community. We are proud and thankful to say that together, we are finding ways to serve students and encourage each other. If you have questions or concerns, please e-mail us: officeoftheprovost@rowan.edu or hr@rowan.edu. 

Sincerely,

Tony Lowman
Provost

Terri Drye
Vice President for Human Resources

Dear Students,

Some questions have come up about how Rowan is reporting cases of COVID-19 and providing support for students. As always, accurate data makes it possible for us to know who to help and how to do it best. Here are four critical things to know as Rowan students who are dealing with COVID-19:

1. Report if you’re positive for COVID-19: If you get positive results from a test site other than Rowan’s on-campus program (another county or an off-campus lab or clinic), tell us (wellnesscenternurses@rowan.edu or deanofstudents@rowan.edu). Even if you don’t have symptoms or already recovered, you’re part of the Rowan student body and we need to count your positive results in public health data.
   
   
2. Rely on quarantining at Triad Hall Apartments: If you need to quarantine, Triad is set up to house students safely and provide meals, medical services, student services and virtual instruction to students temporarily living there. We will help transport you and look after you at Triad.
   
   
3. Reach out about cases and concerns: If you are concerned about your health or someone else’s, ask for help. The Wellness Center and other resources are ready for virtually every scenario, but we need to know who needs guidance, support and resources. 
   
   
4. Your health information: We will protect your health information records, as always, according to law. We respond to needs and report health statistics so we can help Rowan students recover and keep our community safe. If you share health information with faculty, advisors or other non-health care staff, they may share it with us or encourage you to share it to help ensure your well-being.  

If we don’t know how COVID is affecting you, we can’t help you. Call 856-256-4333 for every item above or visit for more information.  Remember to share concerns using this form, even anonymously. 

Thank you for caring about our community and helping make it healthier for everyone.

Kevin Koett
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students

Scott Woodside
Director, Student Health Services

Yesterday afternoon, the University held a virtual information session for employees about COVID monitoring and testing, academics, outreach efforts and other related topics. Almost 650 employees attended, with many submitting questions for the panel. For those who were unable to attend, the video of the session is available on the Rowan University YouTube site.

Also available are new statistics about the health of our campuses. On the Return to Rowan website, under the “Confirmed Positive Cases” section, we have added charts that describe:

• People in isolation and quarantine, on and off our campuses
• Rowan’s asymptomatic testing program on our Glassboro campus

Please note that we will update the Weekly Confirmed Positive chart three times weekly (i.e., Mon., Wed., Fri.), and more often, if necessary. This will help us keep the data as accurate as possible, and not have to back-date figures as test results return from the labs we use and from external agencies such as county public health departments.

Later tonight, University leaders will participate in a similar virtual information session to update Glassboro residents on COVID-related concerns. We also will hold a session for Rowan students and parents on Thursday at 4 pm.  

For more information, contact:

• Testing and health matters – Scott Woodside, director, Wellness Center (woodsides@rowan.edu)
• Work issues – Terri Drye, vice president for Human Resources (hr@rowan.edu)
• Academic and instruction delivery – Tony Lowman, provost (officeoftheprovost@rowan.edu)
• Facilities – Joe Campbell, vice president for Facilities & Operations (campbellj@rowan.edu)

We’re midway through September and it’s been wonderful to see students back on our campuses. We are excited to have school back in session, along with activities and events taking place that bring back a sense of normalcy, even if they look different. We write today to provide information and updates about life at Rowan this fall. 

There are more than 19,500 students in the Rowan family this semester. Of approximately 15,500 undergraduates, about 4,100 students chose to live on the main campus, helping us see firsthand how well the community can work with so many new procedures and restrictions in place. 

Remote and in-person classes on all campuses are off to a strong start. Faculty, advisors and student services professionals made an immense effort throughout spring and summer to adapt and innovate for fall. Their commitment, focus and flexibility are apparent. 

Following our plans
To date, about 17  percent of our classes — mostly studio and labs which require physical presence — have carried on well in the hybrid format and will continue to have in-person opportunities. While some students and faculty are eager to participate in more in-person instructional activity in September, our primary concern is always the health and safety of the Rowan family. So, while data and observable conditions are within our expectations, we believe it is prudent to continue with our current level of in-person classes for now. When appropriate, we will expand in-person options for more courses. 

Thankfully, we have planned for this level of flexibility. Again, this is because of the extraordinary work of our faculty to develop flexible, practical processes to help ensure best outcomes for working with students in a dynamic, unpredictable environment.

Reporting in context
Recent media reports tell of wide-ranging COVID-19 infection rates at institutions across the state and region. A look at our dashboard shows that since Aug. 25, we have had a total of 131 confirmed cases:

• 55 are tallied on-campus (main campus) because our definition counts them “on campus” if they were at Rowan facilities at any point during their infectious period.

• 30 students who tested positive are in isolation in our residence hall reserved for this purpose; the balance are not on campus.

• 74 students were never on the main campus, so they are categorized as “off campus.”

• two employees have been working remotely.

It’s important to note that not all of these individuals are currently infected; 109 cases — as of Sept. 10 — are active. And while we are encouraged to see students recovering after testing positive, we can’t let down our guard.

Assessing the infection rate
We know from contact tracing and reported activity that most infections are occurring in social situations where people are not being vigilant about safety, particularly at off-campus rental housing. Because we consider these residences a source of concern for spreading infection, we will continue health and safety education and outreach with these students. 

Rowan is providing on-campus testing Monday through Friday each week, serving students at various levels of likely exposure and infection with COVID-19. So far, we’ve relied on volunteers to help determine the baseline for the residential student population’s infection rate. To get a clearer picture of infections at Rowan, we need even more residential students to participate. Next week, we will expand our community health assessment by inviting more students to volunteer to be tested. Once we are able to increase the value and certainty of the data with residential students, we will broaden testing to off-campus students and others in the Rowan community. Good data will help us better anticipate challenges and fight the virus among us.

Reading the data
Each day, we continue to update the dashboard that shows all campuses and categories of our population since tracking began in mid-March. We have accurate statistical snapshots of our community and we are pleased that state health officials have lauded our definitions and process. However, because there are no official standards for reporting, we must be cautious in comparing our data with other institutions’ figures. Even so, we continue to refine our reporting process and work with the state Department of Health to create common reporting metrics and definitions throughout New Jersey.

Please visit Return to Rowan regularly for updates and resources to help students and employees navigate our new environment. Our goals are to provide information, protect our community and neighbors, and build confidence as we move forward together. 

Your support and collaboration are more vital than ever. Thank you for your commitment. 

Sincerely,

Tony Lowman
Provost 

Kevin S. Koett
Interim Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students

Scott Woodside
Director, Wellness Center

Welcome, Rowan students! 

After six long months, we’re finally at the start of the school year with all the high expectations of any fall semester—and more uncertainty and adjustments in our University community than ever.

We all know what’s at stake if we drop our guard and get careless. No one wants to go home. Let’s work together to protect each other and keep our privilege to stay together. 

It’s on us, it’s on you
We’re counting on you—every student, whether you’re living on campus or commuting for a class or two—to help keep Rowan’s community healthy and safe. We’re counting on every employee on every campus to do their part, too. 

And to take the long view, we’re also counting on you to help us bring everybody back, in person, for school, activities and sports. For all the things that make college life so good. When it’s safe. When we’re ready. 

Of course, we’re not there yet and that’s part of the uncertainty, the anticipation. But it’s the goal, after a successful return, once we’ve kicked COVID-19 to the curb.

We’ll be around
To help us get there, we’ve been meeting with student organizations and have more meetings scheduled to share information and answer your questions. We’re visiting off-campus residences for “Knock and Talk” chats around the borough. We’re working with landlords and local businesses to protect students and our neighbors. We’re doing everything we can to help make this semester work.

We know most will be conscientious and follow precautions, but for the few who may take risks that put our community in jeopardy, we’re going to step in. We may ask you to leave if you don’t share our commitment to a safe, healthy Rowan. 

We know it can be rough to confront peers or strangers, so if you see risky activity, please alert Rowan University’s Department of Public Safety at 856-256-4922. You may also anonymously report concerns online here. 

Let’s do this together. Wear your mask. Respect the virus and help us beat it. Let’s make this semester a Profs success story for everyone. 

Respectfully,

Kevin S. Koett, Ed.D.
Interim Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students

Dear undergraduate students, 

With Rowan University’s reopening Sept. 1, thousands of students are returning to campus as we work to bring back face-to-face instruction and activities in a safe, socially distanced manner. 

We’re looking forward to helping you reach your educational goals. However, this won’t be a return to normalcy. Colleges and universities around the country have already switched to fully remote instruction after returning students disregarded public health orders and spread infections. 

None of us want that happening here. 

Be warned
The choices you make every time you walk outside of your door will impact not only this semester, but also the future of our institution and the economic well being of local businesses.  

We know more now about how to limit the spread of this disease. We’ve spent months preparing for this moment and we’ve considered the smallest details, from cleaning procedures and updated student conduct codes to staggered work and move-in schedules. 

Our success depends on you — every single one of you.

We need your help
Large gatherings without face coverings and social distancing can lead to outbreaks and shut down campuses. 

We know the great majority of students will do what’s right to protect themselves and each other. Inevitably, there will be those who choose to disregard safety measures and common sense. It’s those few whose actions will impact us all.

An empty main campus has far-reaching consequences. We will take action against individuals, if we must. The safety of our students and our community is our topmost concern.  

We’re going to do our part. Administrators are making personal visits to our residential students both on and off campus. We’re working closely with local police, landlords and business leaders, all in an effort to protect our campuses, as well as the communities we live in. 

If you see risky activity, please alert Rowan University’s Department of Public Safety at 856-256-4922. You may also report concerns online here. 

Thank you for your continued cooperation and best wishes on a successful semester. 

Yours truly, 

Kevin S. Koett, Ed.D.
Interim Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students

Rowan’s fall course delivery plan was designed to provide options for students to complete their courses in-person or remotely, with the flexibility to make adjustments in delivery mode as needed to respond to state and public health guidance. 

This week, the University received updated state guidance that expands our ability to deliver instruction in-person, while continuing to offer remote options where feasible.

Prior to the new guidance, only the classes labeled “Physical Presence Required” could be offered fully in person.  However, with the updated state guidance, we are now also able to offer “Physical Presence Optional” courses with in-person instruction. Most of these courses will start remote and then transition to in-person/remote. Some, however, may remain remote the entire semester. 

Below are frequently asked questions, and their answers. 

Q: What should I expect for my courses labeled “Physical Presence Optional”? 
A: Sections labeled “Physical Presence Optional” always have a remote attendance option. Students are never required to physically attend these sections. These courses are expected to begin offering an in-person attendance option during the first few weeks of the semester. Each instructor will provide students with information on when the course will begin to offer an in-person attendance option as well as how to attend the scheduled class sessions remotely prior to the first day of class.

Q: For “Physical Presence Optional” sections, do I need to tell my instructor whether I plan to attend physically or virtually? Do I have to choose one or the other for the whole semester?
A: To facilitate planning for reduced classroom capacity, instructors may ask students their intention to attend the class sessions physically or virtually but will permit students to change their attendance modality as needed or preferred to best support their learning. To enable class planning, students who indicate that they will physically attend class sessions are expected to do so unless they inform the instructor that they will attend virtually or will not attend at all at least one day prior to the class session except in cases of emergency.

Q: Will my courses labeled “Fully Virtual” ever meet in person?
A:  No, they will be 100% virtual for the entire semester. Students must attend each scheduled class meeting for “Fully Virtual With Meeting Time” sections through the instructions that will be provided by your instructor (most commonly through Webex or Zoom). Sections labeled “Fully Virtual With No Meeting Time” do not have a scheduled class meeting time and students must follow all instructions regarding due dates and assignments provided by the instructor.

Q: Will my course schedule change?
A: While there are not going to be any large-scale changes to the fall course schedule, it is important that students check their schedule periodically to see if there have been any updates in mode of delivery, classroom  location, or other potential changes for a particular section. 

Q: What if I have a “Physical Presence Required” course but prefer to learn remotely this semester?
A: First, check to see if the course may be offered in alternate formats. Speak with your advisor to find out if there is an alternate course, or if you could take this course in a future semester without changing your graduation timeline. If you have a health condition or disability which prevents you from attending in person, please contact the Office of Disability Resources for assistance. Students requiring accommodations for attendance options will be supported. If, however, you don’t qualify for an accommodation, your physical presence is required.

Q: How will I know what to do on the first day of class?
A: Your instructors will contact you with information about how to attend your classes, whether physically or virtually. Be sure to check your Rowan email at least once per day. Instructors may also communicate through Canvas.

Q: How do I access Canvas?
A:  Canvas is the learning management system (LMS) that will be used for all courses at Rowan.  Visit online.rowan.edu, click “Access Your Courses in Canvas,” and log in with your Rowan Network ID and password. Your courses will be listed in the portal starting as soon as 5 days prior to the start of the course, though some may appear closer to the first day of class. If you add a course after the semester starts, the new course will appear in your Canvas portal within 1 to 2 hours of the change. 

Q: How can I learn more about Canvas and online learning?
A: Any student can register for ONL 00100 Rowan Online Immersion. It is a non-credit one-hour overview of how to use Canvas and tips for success in an Online course. It is a prerequisite or corequisite for any course labeled Fully Virtual With No Meeting Time (Online), and students who complete it will be prepared for any such courses they take in the future. 

Q: Are there locations on campus for students to attend a virtual course or be able to complete coursework? 
A. Yes. Several academic buildings will have designated classrooms available for students who need a space to take a remote class or to study. The occupancy limit for these rooms will be posted on the door. The Student Center, Campbell Library, and other buildings on campus will also be available for students. 

Q. Do I have appropriate technology for my courses?
A: Please review: Students, Do You Have Access to Appropriate Technology?

Q. How can I find out how my courses are being offered?
A: There are two short videos: step-by-step guides on how to review your course schedule and how to search for courses in Banner and Section Tally. Please note that while most schedule changes have been made, you should check periodically for updates.

Virtual Information Sessions/Q&A

Please feel free to contact any of us if you have any questions. We wish you a successful semester! 

Yours truly,

Tony Lowman, Ph.D., Provost
officeoftheprovost@rowan.edu

Roberta Harvey, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs
officeoftheprovost@rowan.edu

Rory McElwee, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs
mcelwee@rowan.edu

Rowan University is committed to providing financial aid to students in need, and all the more during the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The most immediate source of aid has come from federal funding, which begins with the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Beginning August 13, 2020, students will be able to again apply for assistance by completing the CARES Act Student Emergency Assistance Form posted on the Office of the Bursar’s website. All requests for assistance will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis with priority for funding given to first-time applicants. Applications will be processed until all funds allocated have been disbursed. The application for CARES will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2020 to allow for early semester distribution.

Distribution of Grants
The maximum emergency assistance grant will be $2,000 per student. A team of professionals from the Offices of the Bursar and Financial Aid will review requests.  Funds will be disbursed to students through direct deposit to personal accounts on record or through a check mailed to the address on record. It can take up to three (3) weeks from the date of each student’s submission to receive payment.

Process and Evaluation
In alignment with federal recommendations, Rowan will utilize a point system to help evaluate who is in most need and help determine how to distribute the funds based on a rubric that measures six (6) components of award. Students will self-disclose their “need” by answering a series of questions. The point system allows for 100 maximum points based on the following categories:

• Employment/Internships
• Food Insecurity
• Housing Security
• Childcare
• Healthcare
• Course Material/Technology

Eligibility
As per the federal requirements, all currently enrolled students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with a valid Social Security number are eligible for the Higher Education Emergency Relief funding under the CARES Act. Students enrolled exclusively in an online program on or before March 13, 2020 are not eligible for this funding. International, undocumented, and DACA students are ineligible, as are students who are in a SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) denied status, students who have not registered for Selective Service (male only), and/or students who have defaulted on federal student loans. Additionally, Rowan University employees (except those hired as student workers) are also ineligible. At this point in time, funding from the CARES Act will be limited to those students who are registered for Fall 2020.

We are committed to helping you make the most of the investment you are making in your education. We encourage you to take advantage of the support available to you as soon as possible.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of the Bursar by e-mail at bursar@rowan.edu.  

Sincerely,

Leonardo T. Freyre
Director for Business Affairs & University Bursar

• Two short videos: step-by-step guides on how to review your course schedule and how to search for courses in Banner and Section Tally. Please note that while most schedule changes have been made, you should check periodically for updates.
  
  
• A PDF that provides more information about the process, plus Q&A and links to the resources you need online and for connecting with advisors, financial aid, IT, registrar and more.
  
  
• Yesterday’s video session on Academics from the Return to Rowan virtual information series. Next week’s sessions will cover more academic and student services topics, financial aid, paying tuition, and other details to help you be ready to start the semester.
  
  
• Advising information sessions via Webex will run tomorrow, August 8, through August 19 for undergraduate and graduate students, with opportunities for live Q&A.

Since even before last semester ended, the University has been developing a Return-to-Rowan plan flexible enough to adapt to any stage of the state’s reopening strategy. Our faculty have worked to transfer and refine their curricula to provide students a robust academic experience delivered within all public health guidelines. While we had planned for a full return to campus this fall, it is apparent that New Jersey will remain in Stage 2 of its reopening plan for the foreseeable future, so we will begin the fall semester accordingly.

• Courses that require labs, technical and clinical rotations, and hands-on instruction will be offered in person. Classes that involve higher-risk activities (likely transmitting more aerosolized droplets), such as theater, music, dance and physical education, will begin in a remote format and will transition to in-person instruction when authorized by the state. All other classes, including lectures and seminars, also will begin remotely with many courses designed to transition to in-person instruction when authorized by the state and others remaining online. 
• Once we are allowed to offer more in-person instruction, students may choose to continue in remote learning or a HyFlex combination. 
• We welcome students to live and study in Rowan housing from the start of the semester, all with enhanced health and safety measures in place. 
• We will refine safety protocols from one stage to another to transition quickly and smoothly at any point during the semester as the state provides guidance in response to changing circumstances. 
• We will support students who need medical accommodations to continue their studies, at all stages and for all classes.

Course schedules will be finalized by August 7 and students will receive instructions on how to determine the mode of delivery for each. Academic Advising will hold information sessions to help students better understand how the semester will start. 

Please visit our Return to Rowan website for more information and updates, plus an extensive Q&A section and links to many resources. The site also links to a schedule for our “What to expect when you return” virtual information sessions, which are being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m., through August 27. Tomorrow’s session will focus on academics.    

Committed to quality and connecting 
Rowan is better prepared than ever to provide students a rich remote learning environment. Our faculty and students have found creative ways to translate and recreate the dynamics of in-person instruction, encouraging online interaction and discussion. While, for now, we can’t replace the experience of being physically together to learn for most courses, Rowan’s fall semester will offer high-quality education and foster vibrant connections through flexible and strong support when students need it. And we will be ready to bring additional courses rapidly to in-person instruction as soon as we are permitted to do so, even mid-semester.

For students planning to live on campus
Much of the summer work at Rowan focused on adjusting residence halls and apartments to comply with distancing and cleaning requirements so we could welcome students back to the campus community safely. Because course delivery format is not a factor in determining eligibility for a housing assignment — students can live on campus even if all of their classes meet remotely — we will remain flexible with deadlines for those who would like to reconsider their housing commitments, and we will accept students back into housing even after the semester begins, if space is available. 

An extended move-in schedule will start the week of August 20 to allow us to observe distancing protocols. University Housing will notify students of their assigned move-in date and time — please anticipate more information to come. Dining services will be available according to restrictions (outlined in the state’s plan) which allow outdoor dining and pick-up for now. 

A sense of belonging and purpose
Rowan’s community is vibrant especially because it encourages relationships that help students expand their understanding and participation in the world, starting with clubs and groups. We will still provide opportunities for students to interact with each other and attend in-person and virtual activities of all sorts — academic, social, cultural, recreational and more. Rowan Thrive will be integral to creating and building these connections.

Starting the fall semester with more limits than we hoped for is unfortunate, but the good news is we are ready to shift immediately to fewer restrictions as the state makes progress. Until then, Rowan University will be the best model of an academic community that we can: dedicated to rigorous study and research, supportive of every member of the Rowan family, and resilient, creative and agile in the face of uncertainty and challenge. Wherever we are, we will make the most of our opportunities and make a difference in our world. 

Sincerely,

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D.
President

Tony Lowman, Ph.D.
Provost

We can reopen! The Office of the N.J. Secretary of Higher Education earlier this week notified the University that we may proceed with our return-to-work plans. 

Please note that while the state and the University remain in Phase 2, we will have more employees than not working remotely. When we are in Phase 3, this will flip with more employees in the office than not (in accordance with health and safety guidelines). Please do not return to work, however, until consulting with your supervisor and following your divisional restart plan. 

Below are general guidelines from the Employee Guide to Returning to Work and links that may also be helpful:

• Return-to-Rowan user-friendly website

• Rowan’s official restart plan as submitted to the Office of the N.J. Secretary of Higher Education on July 1.

• A guide for Researchers and Labs 
  
  

Timeline for return:

• Week of July 27 – All Research, Administration and their offices, Financial Aid, Bursar, Registrar, Residence Life, Admissions, Advancement, University Relations, Finance, IRT, some Student Life (Testing Services, Disability Resources, RLUH) 

• Week of August 3 – HR, Audit and Compliance, Legal, Student Life (Advising, Chamberlain Student Center, Orientation, Military Service), University Events

• Week of August 10 – Some Athletics, DEI, Government Relations, Advising

•  Week of August 17 – If we are in Phase 3 – All other offices. If we are still in Phase 2 – Office of Career Advancement and Tutoring return; for all other offices, most employees will continue working remotely to ensure full operations to support the Fall semester start until we move into Phase 3.
  
  

A four-phase process

Phase 1: Only essential employees on-campus or in medical offices, and all other employees working remotely.

Phase 2: We are now in this phase. The University begins a staggered return to campus. Phasing in departments, as well as employees, will provide for the necessary in person support required to effectively prepare the campus for the return of students as well as the more effective implementation and refining of environmental and public health protocols.

Phase 3: Other staff return, but under restrictive guidelines. 

Phase 4: Return of faculty and students under guidelines to be developed and adapted as public health initiatives direct.

A safe working environment

Rowan has developed protocols to help ensure that reasonable measures are in place for a safe working environment. Although some apprehension is understandable, Rowan will implement processes to fairly and consistently review requests for accommodation in accordance with applicable law. 

In addition, Rowan has implemented measures throughout its campuses and facilities to protect its employees, students, and community.  Some of these measures  may be university-wide, and others may vary by department, depending on specific practical realities and requirements. These measures may include: 

• Staggered shifts

• Temperature scans

• Social distancing 

• Room-occupancy limitations

In instances where an employee feels that the applicable university or departmental measures taken to promote health and safety may not reasonably and adequately address the employee’s particular set of health-related circumstances, the employee may request from Human Resources  accommodation in accordance with applicable law or other modifications. 

These requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Policies and Training

Human Resources, in partnership with the Wellness Center, Facilities, Public Safety and others, will continue to revise policies and have developed training to ensure that employees understand processes, procedures and expectations.

Policies that have been and/or will be created or revised are as follows:

1. Sick Leave and Centralized Call-off Reporting, Attendance and Return to Work

2. COVID-19 Workplace Expectations

3. Accommodation and Leave Policies

4. Flexible Scheduling

5. Telecommuting

6. Return to Work Complaint Process

7. Ethical and Professional Requirements for a Safe Environment

In addition, all employees will be required to complete return-to-work training to ensure everyone understands the protocols and can work within the new workplace.

Screening, Testing, and Contact Tracing are Critical to safe return 

All employees and students who will participate in on campus activities, including on site employment or participation in classes will be expected to engage in daily monitoring of their health status to ensure that they are symptom free. The Wellness Center will provide medical oversight for tracking temperatures and symptoms for employees and information collected from the screening will be provided to Human resources to ensure call off and return to work processes are followed. Human Resources and the Wellness Center will engage actively with recovered employees before their return to work. All employee specific information collected in this process will be maintained with the strictest confidentiality.

Under the direction of the Wellness Center, plans are also in place to identify and recommend testing as appropriate.

The Wellness Center, on behalf of Gloucester County Health Department, has trained contact tracing specialists to provide investigation and communication with individuals who may have been exposed to a positive-testing individual. Individuals testing positive will be monitored for appropriate isolation or quarantine.

The Wellness Center will develop the appropriate policies and procedures to manage testing, data analysis, isolation and any change in levels of operations.

Workplace environment

A critical component in returning employees to work is an assessment of the work site and the implementation of processes and procedures, social distancing, protective equipment, engineering controls, enhanced cleaning protocols and building access control.

Below are rules currently being implemented. This is NOT an all-inclusive list and will continue to evolve as more scientific data is collected and operational planning occurs.

Social Distancing

• Occupancy will be restricted in the workplace as required for compliance. 

• Employees should remain at least 6 feet apart to the fullest extent possible.

• Signs will be posted reminding employees of social distancing requirements.

• Floor markings should be used to identify 6-foot parameters.

• Handshakes and physical contact are prohibited.

• Workstations, conference rooms, reception areas and common areas will be reconfigured to provide distancing.

• One-way directional traffic flow will be implemented in some locations.

• Common areas such as kitchens, community refrigerators and other break areas will continue to be reviewed for closure or adaptation. Employees should bring lunch and beverages from home rather than preparing them in shared kitchens. On-campus eateries will expand seating into tents and outdoor seating as the University opens.

• Sharing of phones, headsets, desks, etc. will be prohibited when possible. Adaptations and cleaning protocols will be implemented as necessary if sharing is required.

• Building access will be as limited as possible. 

• Elevator use should be restricted to those with accessibility needs and should be used in a manner that provides for social distancing.

• Meetings should occur via video. Any in-person meetings will require the use of approved table and desk configurations.

• If weather permits, in-person meetings and other activities requiring less social distancing should be held outside.
  
  

Enhanced cleaning and building maintenance

• Offices, restrooms, hallways, classrooms, etc., will be equipped with soap and sanitizer.

• There will be cleaning schedules for high-touch areas.

• Deep cleaning will occur. Staggered work schedules will assist Facilities and Environmental Services to schedule more focused cleaning in areas that have been used that day.

• HVAC filters will be changed frequently. 

• Structural barriers have been assessed and modified wherever possible.

• Touchless equipment will be provided where possible, such as soap and towel dispensers, garbage cans.

• Badge access will be implemented where possible.

• Work orders and cleaning will be scheduled to minimize contact.
  
  

Employee Safety

Protocols will be coordinated between Public Health, Environmental Health & Safety and Human Resources. The following requirements will be addressed:

• Face masks/cloth face coverings: Face masks or face coverings must be worn by all students, employees and visitors when indoors in common areas such as hallways, shared offices, kitchens, restrooms, classrooms, conference rooms, etc. Face masks are not required in private offices when an employee is alone and can manage the access to the room. They are also required outdoors when social distancing is not possible. 

• Employees will be required to document temperature and symptoms daily. A questionnaire will be available each day for employee completion.

• Sick employees are expected to remain home and to secure appropriate clearance prior to returning.

• Employees will abide by safety rules as outlined by Rowan in accordance with state and CDC guidance.

• Employees will abide by safety rules including building access, touch surface contact (i.e., time clocks, shared copiers, lab equipment)

• Employees will complete assigned training and follow policies and procedures as required.
  
  

Classroom and Laboratory Safety

• Classrooms and labs have been reviewed and prepared with signs to mandate the use of masks and social distancing measures. 

• Extra cleaning supplies will be provided in each area.
  
  

Visitors

Guests are discouraged from visiting campus in the early phases of opening. Their visits should be scheduled in advance to prevent social distancing concerns. Visitor logs will be required.

Visitors to campus will be required to complete the screening questionnaire and may not visit campus if they demonstrate symptoms. 

Flexibility and Patience

We expect new health and safety information to continue to develop in the weeks and months ahead. It is critical that we remain flexible and seek to better understand how to protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable in our academic community and those around us.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources: HR@rowan.edu, www.rowan.edu/HR

Thank you for your commitment to work with us in what is sure to be a dynamic and evolving work-life environment.

To comply with the State’s restart standards for higher education, we have submitted to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education a plan that addresses requirements for resuming on-campus activity. Our Return to Rowan website provides extensive guidance for employees, students and visitors, as outlined in the state report. We encourage everyone to review the information and return to the site regularly for updates that will occur as circumstances, requirements and resources change. 

State negotiated furloughs
The Governor's Office has negotiated furlough agreements with AFT, IFPTE and CWA. At Rowan, furlough plans are in place for both IFPTE and CWA and are being created for 12-month AFT employees. Most furloughs will occur in July. We will do our best to coordinate schedules with staff to minimize the impact on the university. Managerial employees will not be furloughed at this time but will have reduced overall salaries through lay-offs and position eliminations that have already occurred.

Phasing in our staff’s return
While most employees will continue to work remotely during Phase 2, employees may hear from colleagues who are being asked to return to campus. Departments whose staff need access to on-campus equipment and records have priority for returning. We will continue to welcome back employees in Phases 3 and 4 as we follow public health and environmental hygiene protocols. Each division or department head will advise staff on the plan to continue working from home or begin returning to campus. Most of our buildings are still being prepared to re-open. Please don’t attempt to return until you hear from your supervisor to resume on-campus activity.

Please wear your mask
With health and safety as our priority, our immediate goals include opening Rowan residential facilities for fall and providing in-person classes for the traditional on-campus experience, while ensuring remote/hybrid options are available. To accomplish this, we’re relying on our Rowan community members to help protect themselves and each other. Wearing a mask will continue to be an essential, common practice for the foreseeable future.Employees and students are required to wear face coverings in all indoor public/shared areas, including, but not limited to: office common areas, hallways, restrooms, kitchens, elevators, stairwells, cafeterias, etc. Masks are not required in private offices or residence hall rooms.

We will continue to adjust schedules and create options to reduce the density of our population and provide safe distancing for students and employees. We are posting signs throughout our campuses to direct and encourage everyone about our community safeguards, resources and requirements. 

Positive signs and sobering realities
In spite of unprecedented challenges, the Rowan community is looking forward to the promise of another school year. It appears that fall enrollment will be strong, with great enthusiasm from our incoming and returning students. We all anticipate adapting to pandemic-imposed changes, but those changes—wearing masks, increased cleaning protocols, distancing and vigilance—are major factors in building everyone’s confidence about the future at Rowan. 

On the financial front, we are still working with the state on the new fiscal year budget, but we expect a degree of support that will help mitigate the economic stresses brought on by COVID-19. Tighter finances will continue to affect virtually every aspect of our institution and the individuals in our academic community. We will work together to reduce the impact as much as possible, while maintaining our commitment to community health and safety, as well as academic quality and access.

Thank you for your continued flexibility. With all that we have faced, we remain strong, vibrant and creative. I am proud of the work we have done as a university and I am enthusiastic about our preparedness for the fall. 

Yours truly,

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D.
President

• Student Guide for Returning to Rowan
• Employee Guide for Returning to Work
• Monitoring and testing: Keeping Rowan Healthy and Safe
• Enhanced Cleaning Protocols
• Health and Wellness Tips and FAQs

Dear Rowan students,

Usually at this time of year, we are eager for summer because it’s a welcome break. This year, many of us already are focused on fall, trying to plan for a return to our campuses with new priorities for health and safety. As a student, you will find change mixed with the familiar during the next several months, whether you see it up close or from a distance. 

Wherever you read this today, we want you to know that Rowan University is preparing to reopen to continue serving you and all who depend on us. This is what we know about what lies ahead: 

Your health and safety

We are committed to keeping our students healthy and safe. It is our priority. It is non-negotiable. Whatever our return to campus looks like and whenever it begins, it will be with rigorous and thorough safety procedures and resources in place. 

New financial aid available

In addition to traditional financial aid, we have awarded nearly 3,700 students a total of $2.6 million in aid through the federal CARES Act. These funds are meant to help you recover and continue your education after pandemic-related setbacks that you or your family may have experienced. If you are in need, we encourage you to apply for aid at www.rowan.edu/bursar.

Planning for summer and fall

Once the governor lifts the stay-at-home order, we look forward to reopening our facilities gradually. We don’t have a firm date in mind, but we are planning our re-start, preparing for every scenario. For now: 

• Classes, services and activities continue remotely this summer. I encourage you to take advantage of:
  • Tutoring via Zoom for more than 100 courses  
  • Remote academic advising for every major 
  • Virtual student activities via ProfLink, including yoga, gaming and more 
  • Career advancement services, including resume critiques and networking
  • Tips to thrive this summer
  • Counseling and mental health services 
• For new students anticipating Orientation programs, our comprehensive sessions will be offered online. 

Bringing our students back to campus safely for in-person instruction and activity and residential life on our campuses this fall remains a top priority. As long as state and federal guidelines permit, we are planning to offer instruction in face-to-face, remote and hybrid formats.

• You can count on safe delivery of experiential in-person courses and options for students who prefer remote and hybrid options.
• We are preparing for all living and learning scenarios on each campus. We have teams working on every aspect of reopening, from academics to housing to student life.
• Quality and access remain central to our academic mission. We will not sacrifice them, nor will we burden our students with the costs to maintain them as we all recover from the pandemic.

We will continue to share more information as we progress. If you have immediate questions or concerns, please email Dean of Students Kevin Koett at koett@rowan.edu.

As always, I also welcome your comments: officeofthepresident@rowan.edu.

With this information, I hope you have a better idea of the commitment we have to our students. Even in our vastly changed world, we will provide you the best of what our nationally ranked University offers. 

Sincerely, 

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D.
President

Dear University Community:

At Rowan, we pride ourselves on being vigilant and frugal about tuition and fee increases because of the barrier that college costs can present students. For the past seven years we have held increases to the predicted rate of inflation or below, and planned on doing so again for the coming academic year.

Yesterday, the executive committee of the Board acted upon our leadership team’s recommendation to freeze tuition and fees at the 2019-2020 rate for the upcoming academic year. 

Although the University faces a loss of $33 million in revenue this year because of the fallout related to COVID-19, we will not make up any portion of the difference by further burdening our students. It will be very difficult to adjust the institutional budget to cope with the loss, but no different than the struggle many of our students and their families face now and for the foreseeable future.  

Student Aid On the Way
A week ago today, the University received $7.25 million in federal student aid as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It will be distributed, according to federal guidelines, to matriculated students as emergency financial aid grants to those who have suffered significant disruption to their education as a result of COVID-19. We will provide more details about how to apply for the funds next week. 

I hope this news—of both the tuition and fee freeze and the federal aid—brings a degree of relief to those who are struggling to make ends meet. 

Additional measures to help bridge the gap
Rowan has always been a model of public service  and stewardship. From the beginning of this global crisis, solidarity has been key. “We are in this together” provides encouragement, but it is also a commitment to mutual sacrifice and sharing the hard work of recovery. 

In mid-April I announced that the University would take immediate measures to reduce expenses and delay expansion. We have put on hold some planned construction and hiring, among other courses of action. 

We will continue to find ways to cut expenses and find alternatives that will increase revenue so we may continue to deliver the high-quality education our students deserve. 

We will emerge from this crisis stronger and resume growth that drives the regional economy. Until then, we will demonstrate our commitment to serve New Jersey through every means possible—always focused on the future, always focused on our students.

Yours truly,

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D.
President

Watching our university pull together over the past several weeks has been inspiring. I am immensely grateful for and proud of our community’s dedication, especially in difficult times. While the chaos that a global pandemic would bring to our lives was unthinkable just a couple months ago, our commitment to our students is helping ensure that they maintain momentum toward attaining their degrees. And, with ingenuity and patience, we have all re-ordered our daily routines to care for those around us and continue our important work. I hear the word “strange” used often to describe these days, but I can’t help but use another word — “tremendous” — to describe the extraordinary human spirit I see everywhere, especially within Rowan University. 

Believing in Rowan 
Our institution has always offered a chance for people to transform and grow and this is still evident in the metrics we monitor every year at this time. Fall registration for our returning students is stronger than ever. First-year-student applications remain strong. And, we have seen a significant uptick in interest from transfer students, many who left the state but now are contemplating staying home in New Jersey.

We are a public institution, dedicated to serving New Jersey. Our role in the well-being of the region and state cannot be underestimated. Gov. Murphy, the Secretary of Higher Education and legislative leadership have made their confidence in Rowan apparent and they are keenly aware of our capacity to contribute to New Jersey’s economic recovery. For their faith in us, I am grateful and eager to respond with the full force of our commitment, innovative spirit and proven success.

From New Jersey’s aspiring students to its senior officials, it’s clear that people believe in Rowan University’s value and resources. They are counting on us to help restore order and opportunity—which we will. And yet, as we are all painfully aware, many challenges lie ahead that have the potential to further severely disrupt the University and our ability to serve our students. Planning now and making hard decisions today will not only prepare us for worst-case scenarios, but also make us stronger as an academic community when we emerge from this international ordeal.

COVID-19’s impact on Rowan University’s finances 
The pandemic’s financial impact on the University is significant. Taking into account everything from students’ housing and meal refunds, to lost patient revenue at Rowan Medicine, to the state appropriations adjustment, we estimate Rowan will experience a $33 million shortfall in this year’s budget. 

Gov. Murphy last week took the necessary measure to cut allocations to all state-supported agencies by 50% from March through June. The adjustment resulted in a $12 million shortfall for our University. However, we must be prepared for the possibility that this funding model will continue into FY2021. With a total state appropriation at $168 million, receiving only half—or even less—will have a major impact on our institution, as well as the region and state.

Some immediate relief comes to us from the federal CARES funding for higher education. Of the $14.47 million allocated, approximately $7.2 million will provide student support and the remainder will be used to cover the most critical needs created by the anticipated shortfall.  

Rationing our resources
With so much uncertainty ahead, I have asked that nearly everything for the immediate future be put on hold that is unrelated to our core mission. Plans for major renovations, facility expansion projects, new academic buildings and residence halls are temporarily shelved. Every budget expense is being scrutinized. And, except for a few instances, we have implemented a hiring freeze across the University.

As a way of keeping down overall University expenses, I have asked our managers to make the additional sacrifice not attending conferences and to consider teaching classes without compensation. Decisions about salary increases also are on hold. 

To further help fill the budget gap, our leadership team has made several other decisions that are as difficult as they are necessary now, including:

• Temporarily putting on hold any organizational change that may result in increased hours, salary or reclassification until the division head, HR and Finance review and approve in the current circumstances.
• Halting mobile phone reimbursements
• Re-evaluating faculty and staff salary vouchers on a case-by-case basis

Clearly, we do not take any fiscal action without acknowledging the effects on people. These measures will have a significant impact on us and our colleagues. I am regretful for the disruptions, delays and disappointments I am asking our community to endure. I am also hopeful that the time we need to draw back and slow our pace will be brief so we all can proceed with confidence in our mission. 

While some of our initial fiscal measures may seem minor in the face of such a potentially enormous funding shortfall, the reality is that they are a fraction of what we may be compelled to enact, given the financial forecast. Now is not the time to look toward incremental change. We must look at the University with a fresh perspective and think deeply about the huge challenges and possibilities ahead. I am certain that Rowan will emerge from this crisis stronger, more agile and better-prepared to serve our students, our state and region. 

Continuing to make history
I am perhaps infamously optimistic and ambitious because I know how much dedicated people can do together. That makes sharing such sobering financial prospects even more difficult, but not since World War II, when enrollment dropped by more than half and threats of every sort loomed, has our university faced the potential for such disruption. Our predecessors rose to the challenge, made many of the same sacrifices we are making now and became part of the institutional legacy that ensured our institution would carry on. 

Rowan University has become a model of transformation largely because of our innovation, resilience, ambition and focus. These institutional strengths will continue to be our greatest advantages as we adapt, recover and continue to make a difference in our world. 

Thank you for your commitment. We are still  in this together. If you have questions or suggestions, please email mailto:officeofthepresident@rowan.edu.

Sincerely,

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D.
President