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

• Academics: Office of the Provost, 856-256-4108
• Orientation: Drew Tinnin, Assoc. Vice President for Student Life, tinnin@rowan.edu
• Meeting space: University Events, 856-256-4173

Dear Rowan students,

We appreciate your continuing patience while we have undertaken the complex process of preparing to issue refunds and credit for the semester’s housing, meal plans and parking services disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope the refunds and credit will help you and your family cope and recover as we find our way through this international crisis. 

Eligibility and timing for credit and refunds
Students who have applied for graduation are eligible to receive refunds; continuing students will receive credit towards future expenses at the University, which may be used for summer courses and/or student account charges incurred within the fall 2020 semester. We expect to complete issuing refunds/credit by April 24, 2020, with a small fraction of graduating seniors issued refunds on a rolling basis. Refunds and credit will be calculated from March 23, 2020. The University will not issue refunds for tuition and fees as all coursework continues online for this semester. 

Graduating seniors
Refunds for housing, meal plans, and/or parking charges will be issued automatically to students who have applied for graduation. These refunds are expected to be processed on or before April 24, 2020, and will continue throughout the summer as students continue to apply for graduation. The application process triggers a review of your earned credit and academic standing, enabling the University to confirm your official completion date.

Funds will be transferred to students through direct deposit. To enroll in direct deposit, visit rowan.edu/epay. Students who do not have direct deposit will receive a check. Please note that refunds for unspent Rowan Bucks and Dining Dollars will be processed on or before June 30, 2020, in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Credit for continuing students 
Students with housing, meal plans and/or parking charges will receive a credit equivalent to the amount unused for the spring 2020 semester. Please note exclusions listed below in the section, “A small group will not be eligible for credit or refunds”.

The amount issued to you will be calculated as follows:

• For students in University housing, a credit of 42.72% of the total charge will be applied to student accounts. This corresponds to 47 unused housing nights out of 110 total possible housing nights for the semester (January 19, 2020 to May 9, 2020).
  
  
• For students with meal plans, a credit of 45.71% of the total meal plan-only component will be applied to student accounts. This corresponds to 48 days of unused meal plan swipes out of a total of 105 board days for the spring semester (January 18, 2020 to May 9, 2020). 
  
  
• Rowan Bucks: These funds will remain available for immediate and future use, including for those with or without a meal plan or block plan. 
  
  
• Dining Dollars: The unspent cash portion of each student’s Dining Dollar balance will be closed out and credited to students’ fall account. 
  
  
• Block plans: Credit will be issued for any unused meals calculated as a percentage of the total block plan purchase.
   
• For spring semester parking permit holders, a credit of 44.03% of the total permit cost will be issued to each student’s Bursar account; this corresponds to 48 unused days of parking out of a of 109 total possible parking days for the spring semester (January 21, 2020 to May 8, 2020). For annual permit holders, a credit of 22.22% of the total annual permit cost will be credited to each student’s Bursar account; this corresponds to 48 unused days of parking out of a of 216  total possible parking days for the year (September 3, 2019 to May 8, 2020). 

Credit used to pay account balances

All credit is expected to be applied to student accounts no later than April 24, 2020. The credit will first pay down and/or pay off any existing student account balances. Credit that remains after application of payment or full credit for those with zero balances will be deferred to the summer and/or fall 2020 semester. Any unused credit will be automatically refunded to the student on or before September 30, 2020. 

A small group will not be eligible for credit or refunds
Students who fit the following criteria will not be entitled to a credit or refund: 

• Students who received special approval by the Dean of Students to live on campus through the end of the semester. 
• Students who received full housing and/or meal plan scholarships, including all institutional funding, graduate coordinators, and resident assistants, will not receive a credit or refund because the University already covers these expenses. Students who receive partial funding for these items will have their accounts individually analyzed to determine the credit or refund net of the charge and the scholarship. 

For more information or clarification on these refunds and credit, please contact the Office of the Bursar at bursar@rowan.edu.

Thank you for your continued patience and perseverance. 

Sincerely,

Leonardo T. Freyre
Director for Business Affairs & University Bursar

Dear Rowan Managers,

We are approaching the end of our first week of online instruction. Our students are being educated, our Rowan Medicine patients are receiving health care and our campuses are safe and functioning remotely. We are proving in difficult times that we still can accomplish amazing work. 

We appreciate your support this past week as we made much-needed staffing reductions. While we continue to review operations and expenditures, we also need to look at how we can fully engage our regular employees in efforts to recruit and retain students. 

New opportunities to serve
We are pleased to introduce the Student Ally program, a new initiative that provides business continuity, as well as an opportunity for our employees to develop professionally and, most importantly, to touch the lives and increase the success of our students. Developed by Rihab Saadeddine and Jeff Hand, of Enrollment Management, the program gives individuals new opportunities that include contributing to web site communication, marketing, admissions, serving as a student buddy or connecting with our incoming students through handwritten notes, among other things. Training will be provided and employees will be able to select the work best suited to their skills and interests. 

We are asking for you to nominate employees who currently have available time. Please send the names of employees who can assist to HR@rowan.edu. HR will provide the names to the Student Ally team and they will reach out to the employee with a survey. The survey will help each employee identify skills and areas of interest. As the supervisor, you will approve the employee’s new assignment, both in time and skills, before the employee is notified. A detailed explanation of the Student Ally program is available on the HR website. 

Updates to online resources
Finally, we have communicated extensively and have provided resources that may be difficult to locate or recall with so much news and so many changes developing recently. We have updated the HR Home page so you will have updated information easily accessible. Tabs provide the following:

1. Information for Part-time Hourly Employees
2. Information for Student Employees
3. Payroll Instructions
4. FAQs for Managing Essential Personnel
5. Critical Exception Form
6. Other important HR information

We will continue to try to keep the page up to date so you will have information and can provide the link to others.  

As always, thank you for your hard work. Stay safe and stay healthy!

Sincerely,

Terri Drye
Vice President/Chief Human Resource Officer

• The Office of Career Advancement website posts resources for employment and job opportunities for those with transportation.
  
  
• Student Emergency Assistance funds (up to $500) are available from the Rowan University Foundation. This source can provide temporary financial assistance to students who have experienced a personal or family crisis that would jeopardize their status as a matriculated student at Rowan University. Funds are distributed through the Dean of Students.
  
  
• Additionally, if your family has experienced a loss of income, you may qualify for an adjustment. Information about an income adjustment appeal can be found on the Financial Aid website. Students who wish to submit an appeal should email financialaid@rowan.edu.
  
  
• For students on a payment plan, the Bursar’s Office will not assess late fees or place holds on accounts if students miss the payment due April 1. Contact the Bursar’s Office at bursar@rowan.edu and please include your name, Banner ID number and phone number in all correspondence. 
  
  
• The SHOP, Rowan’s free food pantry and resource center for students, and Fresh For All, which offers free fresh fruits and vegetables to students and community members each Friday, are scheduled to continue. Visit Go.Rowan.Edu/TheSHOP for updates on hours and accessibility.
  
  
• Gourmet Dining also provides a number of donated meals to students facing food insecurity. Meals are distributed through the Dean of Students Office and The SHOP. Email theshop@rowan.edu if you are in need. 
  
  
• The Borough of Glassboro has two food pantries. (Please check with each about eligibility requirements): 
  • Healing Wings - 520 E. Stanger Ave. - Wednesdays, noon-3 p.m.
  • Samaritan Center - 123 High Street East - Wednesdays, noon-3 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. The pantry is open to one person at a time. 

As the coronavirus and COVID-19 continue to affect virtually every aspect of society, colleges and universities across the U.S. have begun to address such issues as admissions, housing and in-person versus online instruction.

Rowan University, which like most institutions moved to an online format for the duration of the Spring 2020 semester, this week announced changes to its admissions policy, changes that will affect virtually every new student who comes to the institution this fall including transfers and freshmen.

For Fall 2020, changes to Rowan’s admissions policies are as follows:

Students transferring to Rowan from a community college or four-year institution will receive an admissions decision upon Rowan’s receipt of the student’s unofficial transcript, which may be uploaded directly through Rowan’s application portal.

Because many SAT/ACT test dates have been cancelled, high school students applying for admission to Rowan may do so without submitting SAT/ACT test scores and an admission decision will be based on their high school transcript and Common Application. Those students admitted on a test-optional basis will still be considered for merit scholarships.

Rowan will waive the admissions fee for any student facing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Finally, while May 1 is unofficially known as National Decision Day – when many students commit to attending the college of their choice – Rowan has always considered that an arbitrary date and welcomes students to commit or confirm enrollment when they can. 

“In the last few weeks, the world has transformed in unexpected ways, and Rowan is changing with it,” said Dr. Soumitra Ghosh, vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management.

“Our university prides itself on being nimble and entrepreneurial, and our new Admissions policies reflect that, as well as our desire to remove as many barriers as possible to incoming students,” Ghosh said. “Though the pandemic has wrought vast changes, Rowan University leadership anticipates a return to normalcy sooner than later and changed its admissions policy so incoming students may prepare to start their college career as expected.”

Prospective students may reach Rowan University Undergraduate Admissions by text at (856)-997-2999, email admissions@rowan.edu or phone at (877)-787-6926.

Dear Undergraduate and Graduate Students:

While you were on spring break, our faculty and staff worked tirelessly to continue providing the highest quality education and support you’ll need for the balance of this extraordinary semester. It likely will be challenging, yet rewarding, for us all.

With that said, there undoubtedly will  be a few bumps along the way and I want to assure you that everyone is prepared to be flexible and work with each of you to keep you on track with your academic plan.

As we re-start the semester, let me provide some advice: 

Attendance, Participation, and Deadlines: Please review the revised syllabi your instructors will provide for your classes and be sure that you understand their expectations for attendance, participation, and submission of assignments. Depending on the remote learning format of your classes, absences may take the form of “failure to join” scheduled remote class sessions; “failure to participate” in remote class activities, whether synchronous or asynchronous; or “failure to meet deadlines” for submission of assignments.  

Of course, disruptions of any kind relating to COVID-19 will be recognized as “excused absences,” but only after you contact your instructor and/or the Dean of Students for accommodations and assistance. Documentation may be requested by the Dean of Students but will not be required by instructors.

Academic Integrity: Be sure that you also understand the expectations for academic integrity in each of your classes, including authorized collaboration, sharing of information and use of internet resources. Please ask for guidance or help if you are not sure, feel pressured or need more time. Options and alternatives will be available.  

Choosing a Letter Grade or P/NC: As announced this week, you may select “Pass/No Credit” grading on a course-by-course basis. This simply means that if you don’t like your grade in a given course that you pass, you may receive a “P” on your transcript. If you do not meet the course requirements, and “fail” the course, you can ask for a “NC” to appear on your transcript. Neither will affect your grade point average (GPA).

Given the uncertainty of how the balance of the semester will proceed, you do not have to decide or do anything now. Instructors will assign and enter letter grades at the end of the semester based on methods and criteria outlined in their revised syllabi. After letter grades are entered, you will have until June 15 to request P/NC grading from the Registrar on a course-by-course basis.

Should you choose this option, the P grade will be assigned for D- or higher letter grades for undergraduate courses or in accordance with graduate program policy for graduate courses. Courses in which a P grade is assigned will count for credit and will fulfill prerequisites and graduation requirements regardless of normally required minimum letter grades. However, we urge you to consult with appropriate offices and individuals to understand the impact of this decision on academic standing, financial aid eligibility, graduate and professional school applications, employment opportunities, certification and licensure, athletic eligibility, and other circumstances where GPA is a consideration.

Assigned letter grades will remain on record for future reporting if needed but will not appear on your transcript or count toward GPA if you choose the P/NC option. The Rowan University official transcript key will note the expanded availability of the P/NC option for the Spring 2020 semester.

Students who believe that withdrawal from one or more courses is the best decision may do so through the late withdrawal deadline of April 13 but we hope that the P/NC option will encourage students to remain enrolled in courses to earn all of their credits.

These are difficult, challenging times, but we, your professors, advisors and administrators, believe in you and support you. Together, we’ll get through this and we’ll be stronger for it. 

Yours truly, 

Anthony Lowman, Ph.D.
Provost

We understand that focusing on your classes for the rest of the Spring 2020 term is going to be more challenging than ever. Besides getting used to online learning, you may be dealing with other impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Your success is our priority and we are making every effort to support your learning and your well-being during this unprecedented time.

To ensure that both have maximum flexibility to decide what is best for you, Rowan University is establishing a Pass/No Credit grading policy for this term. This does not apply to our M.D., D.O. and Ph.D. degree programs.

Pass/No Credit (P/NC) grading will be an option for all undergraduate and graduate students in all courses.  At the end of the term, all faculty will submit final letter grades. Students will have seven calendar days after the date on which letter grades are posted to change the grading option to P/NC. 

In some circumstances, selecting P/NC may have implications you may not be aware of. Please consult with advisors and faculty to understand the impact of this decision and its possible effects on academic standing, satisfactory academic progress, graduate and professional school applications, employment opportunities, certification and licensure, athletic eligibility, and other circumstances where GPA is a consideration.

If P/NC grading is selected: 
At the undergraduate level, all grades of D or higher will convert to P. At the graduate level, the minimum grade required to convert to P will be determined by the respective deans of the colleges and schools. 

Courses in which a P grade is assigned will count as fulfillment of pre-requisites and toward degree requirements, but will not count against normal limits on the number of credits that can be earned with a P grade.

Students who believe that withdrawal from one or more courses is the best decision still may choose to do so through the late withdrawal deadline of April 13. However, we hope that the P/NC option will encourage students to remain enrolled in courses in which it is possible to earn the credits. 

We have confidence in our faculty and our students and are committed to delivering the highest quality academic experience that we can in a time of great uncertainty. We offer students the additional opportunity to choose grading options to help provide greater peace of mind as they continue to pursue their goals.

Yours truly, 

Anthony Lowman, Ph.D.
Provost

Today, we report that two individuals within the Rowan University community received confirmed positive tests for COVID-19:  

1. A resident student who lives in Holly Pointe Commons on the Glassboro campus. The student has not been on campus since developing symptoms on March 13.

2. An employee who works on the Stratford campus at our School of Osteopathic Medicine. The faculty member has not been on campus since developing symptoms the week of March 9.

Both are receiving care in isolation and we are relieved to say that both are expected to recover fully. We are working with them to identify those with whom they were most likely in contact. 

Following medical protocols, we will continue to inform the people in the Rowan community who were in close contact with the individuals before and as they started showing symptoms. Although the risk of infection is low for those beyond the individuals’ inner circles, we will continue to inform others (i.e., roommate, classmates, faculty members, co-workers) and ask that they isolate themselves for a 14-day period. 

Due to federal patient- and student-confidentiality regulations, we cannot provide more details about the individuals. 

We understand that these cases may cause great concern given the individuals’ potential contact with others. As community transmission of the COVID-19 virus continues to increase locally and in our region, we must remember that social distancing is vital to slowing this outbreak. Please don’t gather in groups and when you have to be in public, maintain six feet of distance from other people. 

Future Campus Notifications
Given increased testing and interventions, more cases can be expected as spread of COVID-19 continues. We will maintain case counts on the University’s COVID-19 website and only notify people known to be directly affected. 

Stay home
As a reminder, we have begun remote operations on all campuses for all but a limited number of employees. Beginning Monday, March 30, all classes will meet remotely. Only those students and employees who have been approved to be on campus should be on site. Rowan Medicine will continue to provide vital services. 

Also, please be mindful of Gov. Murphy’s March 21 executive order about travel restrictions. Students who live on campus and university-affiliated housing will receive an updated email with new procedures for retrieving personal items from residence halls and apartments. 

All employees must work from home, unless previously approved. Building locks have been changed on all academic and administrative buildings to severely limit who is on our campuses.

Thank you for your continued flexibility during this crisis and your concern for our community.

Each year, it is my honor to welcome thousands of graduates to celebrate with their loved ones and our academic community at Commencement festivities. 

This year, amid the coronavirus pandemic, I am disappointed to announce that we must postpone Commencement, but we are eager to celebrate our students' achievements later this summer. 

Graduation and Commencement
Although everyone is completing the semester remotely, our goal is to have every candidate for graduation complete their requirements on time. Commencement this year will become a two-step celebration. 

In May, we will hold a virtual ceremony of sorts to officially confer degrees and recognize the Class of 2020. Students’ transcripts will reflect their achievements at the end of the semester and we will issue diplomas, as usual. 

In late summer, we hope to finally celebrate by hosting a Commencement ceremony where we will follow tradition by calling graduates individually to the stage during the program. We look forward to giving everyone an opportunity to share this special moment with loved ones. 

While I hope with all my heart that we will be able to proceed with Commencement events, our plan for a summer ceremony could change, given how rapidly this public health crisis is evolving.

I am proud of you
To the members of the Class of 2020, please know I am proud of you and look forward to celebrating your achievements. I know this postponement is a great disappointment to you and the loved ones who have supported your hard work. 

However, I encourage you to stay focused and finish the semester strong. Please take advantage of the remote education resources that will help you over the next several weeks. 

We will share information about the modified plans for Commencement as we near the end of the semester. 

Be well.  

Yours truly,

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D.
President

The Rowan University Board of Trustees, at the recommendation of President Ali A. Houshmand, has declared the University in a state of emergency, allowing the University to quickly respond to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak.

The declaration, which follows the declaration of a state of emergency by Gov. Phil Murphy on March 9, by President Trump on March 13, and by the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management on March 16, does not change the operating status of the University, which remains open. The declaration enables the University to respond to the broad issues surrounding COVID-19; to ensure that we are focused on the health and safety of our students, staff and community; and to uphold our mission to provide education to our students while taking appropriate steps to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Please continue to monitor rowan.edu/virusinfo for regular updates.

Dear Rowan Researchers,

As you are aware, we are working diligently at all levels of the university to ensure continuation of mission critical activities while minimizing physical presence on campus. First, we appreciate your understanding of this rapidly evolving situation and we thank all of you for the efforts you have already taken to develop plans for scale back of research that focus on social distancing and safe working environments. We are now moving to the next phase in addressing research at the university and we must ask that you minimize all on campus research related activities to only those activities that are absolutely essential.

All directors of research centers/laboratories and Principal Investigators (PIs) should immediately begin preparing for restricting on-campus research to essential activities that include:

• Work to maintain critical equipment and safe standby mode in laboratories;
• Work to maintain critical samples and animal populations; and
• Work that directly relates to COVID-19 that has a timeline for deployment that could address the current crisis.

We understand that the above criteria will be disruptive to scholarly activity and research productivity but these steps are necessary to ensure the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students, and those in the community. We are not discontinuing research at Rowan but during this period, we are requiring that research be conducted remotely unless it meets one of the above criteria. We ask that you immediately institute the following rules:

• Access to research laboratories should be limited to only essential personnel. If you have to do lab based research and it is work that is essential, please observe social distancing guidelines. You should only have a maximum of 10% of your regular staff at any time.
• PIs should immediately identify essential research experiments that are at a critical phase, meaning that abandoning them would cause a major or irreversible loss in project viability. This high priority work should be a very limited set of the current laboratory bench-based experimentation. Those PIs must obtain approval of their Dean to continue in person research.
• Some researchers may feel pressured to work in laboratories when they do not feel it is appropriate. We need to remind PIs that concerns like this should be addressed and taken seriously. No one should feel pressured to work in the lab during this period. We should be clear with undergraduate and graduate student researchers that they are not required to be present.
• PIs should also identify experiments that can be ramped down, curtailed or delayed, and implement those processes immediately.
• New lines of research or experiments may NOT be initiated at this time if such research requires active use of lab resources in person.
• Disinfection of common laboratory areas and touchpoints (e.g., doorknobs, sink handles, freezer doors, telephones) with 70% ethanol should occur at least twice daily for any labs that remain functional.
• Directors of research centers, laboratories and resources must develop and share with their Department Chairs and Deans their plans for safely shutting down equipment following appropriate processes should closure become necessary due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. All PIs must also develop plans for maintaining laboratory viability (e.g. liquid nitrogen tank filling, animal support, maintaining shared computational equipment). If you anticipate barriers or problems in these tasks, please notify your Department Chair immediately.   
• External visitors are not permitted in labs at this time.
• Human subject research which requires in-person contact needs to be suspended. This applies not only to campus, but also in field work. Virtual interaction is permitted. Please contact our Research Compliance office to modify your IRB protocol to allow for virtual interactions.
• Make sure you have access to emergency contact information for your students, postdocs, and staff, and review contingency plans and emergency procedures within your group. 
• Continue engaging in research activities that allow for teleworking. Take this critical time to write papers, dissertations, or grant applications. Use this time to analyze your results and publish your work. Use the time to work on manuscripts or thesis. It is also a good time to work on proposals. Staff in the Division of University Research is teleworking and will be here to help you.

Please be aware that effective Friday evening, March 20, academic buildings and facilities will be locked to secure them given that there are fewer people present on campus. As such, only authorized persons will be able to gain access to research labs. 

We are committed to ensuring that these measures be in place only as long as are necessary for health and safety. However, Covid-19 and its impacts have been unpredictable. The next few weeks will be critical in trying to flatten the curve of infection and therefore it is critical that we all do what we can to ensure social distancing. We will continue to evaluate the situation and will provide ongoing updates. It goes without saying that this is challenging time for all and that in times like these, we must develop methods to stay engaged and supportive of our remote workforce and each other. We are looking for suggestions from you and will share them as we receive them.   

Thank you.

Tony Lowman, Provost
James Newell, Senior VP for Health Sciences
Beena Sukumaran, VP for Research

In a measure to further reduce the possible spread of COVID-19, Rowan University will severely restrict access to its academic and administrative buildings on its Glassboro campus starting Friday evening, March 19.

Signs will be posted on doors and only authorized personnel are permitted into their respective buildings.

The residence halls, apartments, Wellness Center and dining services will remain open to serve students who have received permission to reside on campus.

Thank you for your cooperation.

As we continue the University-wide effort to further safeguard students, employees and the larger community from the spread of the coronavirus, many people will still be interacting on Rowan’s campuses during the drawdown of residents and employees on our campuses.

Today’s update provides guidance for employees who are in the process of leaving campus or preparing to adjust to changes in access. While we process the specifics and develop a plan, the following FAQs will be helpful. 

Why was I deemed to be Physically Essential, Remotely Essential or Non-Essential?
We generally use the Essential designation in terms of weather-related or other short-term emergencies. In response to COVID-19, the Essential designation is expanded to mean those who must continue to contribute to the ongoing operations over a much longer time. Rowan is limiting on-campus activity, but we will still have students in residence halls, classes online, employees to be paid, patients to care for, and research to continue. At all times, all employees, regardless of designation, should follow public health protocols, including social distancing.

Through remote opportunities and virtual health care, we have limited the number of employees who need to be onsite. However, in some cases, employees such as Public Safety, Facilities, animal care, document processing, or specialized systems workers simply must be present and duties must be completed onsite.

To be sure, every employee is essential to the continued operation of Rowan University. The Essential designation is only to specify who must be onsite or who must complete tasks that are critical in the next few weeks. If you have been designated as Non-Essential, this means only that either you cannot complete your work remotely or we do not have work for you based on the reduction in operation. We will need everyone when we return to full capacity. 

Will I be paid?

• If you are a regular benefited employee, either full-time or part-time, you will be paid during this period of work restriction according to your scheduled hours.

• Employees working remotely, even if not at full capacity, will be deemed to be working and will report regular work hours in web time entry.

• Employees who contract COVID-19 or need to care for someone who contracts COVID-19 will be paid under the health emergency web time entry code. Employees must provide documentation of diagnosis to Human Resources within three business days.

• Employees currently on medical leave or who become ill from non-COVID-19 conditions and are unable to work remotely will use accrued sick time.

• Employees deemed physically essential must report as scheduled. If unable to report, the employee must provide documentation to Human Resources. Determination of appropriate action will be made on a case-by-case basis.

• All employees are expected to continue to contribute to the overall work of the University to the best of their ability.

• All employees working from home, regardless of their designation, may be required to report to their worksite as plans and employee designations continue to shift. Employees should regularly check their work email (or other point of communication on file with their HR representative and/or supervisor) throughout the day to ensure that they are promptly informed of any change in designation, return-to-work notices, or other time-sensitive information.

If I am an hourly part-time or a student employee, will I get paid?
No. As a result of limited operation, supervisors should not assign work to part-time employees (those who do not receive benefits) without authorization. Human Resources is developing an application form so that supervisors’ requests can be reviewed by HR and Finance on a case-by-case basis. An authorization form will be created and will be located on the HR web page.  Student employees on semester contracts, such as graduate assistants and resident assistants, will continue to be paid.

All other requests must document the following:

1. What is the critical need?

2. How is the job currently getting completed?

3. Does the job need to continue to be completed during the work restriction?

4. What is the impact if the job is not completed?

5. What alternatives have been considered?

6. Can the work be reassigned to a regular employee during this work restriction period?

If I am not working the hours that I usually work, may I use the time that I have accrued under the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave?
Yes. Employees may use up to the maximum of 40 hours (based on accrual) from the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Bank. Non-benefited employees earn one hour of leave for every 30 hours of work.

If I have open positions or want to fill a position, can I continue to do so?
Rowan has implemented a hiring freeze. Except in limited circumstances, no offers or new job postings will be approved. Exceptions will be processed for positions such as clinical professionals or faculty being hired for September.

The University was notified today that a guest attendee at a workshop in Wilson Hall on Rowan’s Glassboro campus has received a confirmed positive test for COVID-19. The person, a Pennsylvania resident, was on campus for a short time during the workshop on Saturday, March 7, and exhibited no symptoms of coronavirus infection until March 9. The individual is in self-isolation at home. 

Based on the circumstances, the Gloucester County Health Department believes the risk to the campus community from this case to be low. The individual is believed to have had limited contact with anyone outside of workshop attendees in their brief time on campus. The room and building have been cleaned on their normal schedule several times since March 7.

The University is in the process of notifying those who had direct contact with the individual during the workshop and relaying to them the Gloucester County Health Department and CDC guidelines to self-quarantine for 14 days since their last contact with the individual.

The Gloucester County Health Department is not recommending further precautionary measures at Rowan, but University officials will continue to monitor the situation and will advise appropriate individuals or groups accordingly.

The University’s Emergency Operations Team continues to take steps to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in coordination with state and local health departments and we will continue to provide updated information to the University community.

We wish for a strong and rapid recovery for the person today confirmed to have COVID-19, but we know this is likely to be just the first of many cases near and within the Rowan communities in Glassboro, Camden and Stratford. 

While today’s news may be unsettling, we expect we will learn of other cases as the virus continues to spread. We pledge to be vigilant with safeguards and forthcoming with guidance to help our students, employees and broader community withstand the challenges we face. 

On Monday, March 16, Governor Murphy signed an executive order that introduced far-reaching measures the state hopes will limit the spread of COVID-19. 

Changes for residential students
With the changes required and recommended by the executive order, and considering the increasing spread of COVID-19, Rowan University is reviewing our capacity to safely house students on our Glassboro campus. We recognize some students have unique circumstances that require us to maintain some housing and dining services. However, we will be asking all other students to return to their homes. 

Students are not expected to move out of housing immediately. We ask that you please wait until we are able to provide details before you return to retrieve belongings from campus and check out of residential facilities, which we anticipate being able to do tomorrow. We will need to stagger students returning so to comply with social distancing protocols.

We know that there are many questions about leaving campus before the end of the semester. We are in the process of determining how to compensate students as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience with this complex issue. 

Changes for employees
As of today, there are no known cases of COVID-19 at Rowan University and we remain fully operational. Even so, to provide more safeguards against the spread of the virus, Rowan will begin a multi-day drawdown of employees starting on Wednesday, March 18, in which the majority of employees will work from home. 

Rowan’s steps to reduce the number of employees on campus align with state and national efforts for social distancing. Fortunately, most employees can continue their work at home. 

To achieve this drawdown, Rowan’s senior leadership team has categorized employees into three groups: physically essential, remotely essential and non-essential.

• Physically essential are those employees who have been asked to continue working on campus.
• Remotely essential are those whose work is essential to their department’s ability to continue operations, but their work can be completed from home.
• Non-essential, a contractual human resources term, refers to employees whose work supports the core activity of a department but who may accomplish their work at home or who could be reassigned to help another department. 

All employees will be informed by March 18 of their classification and when they will shift to work at home (which will begin no later than Friday, March 20). We ask employees to work with their supervisors to develop a work plan, understanding that the plan may change depending on departmental needs. 

We recognize that some students depend on work-study positions for much-needed income. Supervisors will speak to student workers about their positions and decisions will be made about their workload on a case-by-case basis, keeping in mind social distancing protocols.

Although the University will draw down to only physically essential employees remaining on campus, classifications can change week to week, depending on the department’s obligations. 

We continue to emphasize that nothing is more important than protecting the health and safety of our students and employees. For many, Rowan is their home. Several hundred students have remained on the Glassboro campus during spring break and many more live in the surrounding communities. 

We consult daily with health care experts and higher education counterparts on a multitude of concerns and contingencies and will continue to do our best to share information in a timely manner in the face of tumult.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility. 

Sincerely,

Ali A. Houshmand
President

N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday announced his intention to sign an executive order enacting a broad set of measures that the state hopes will limit the spread of COVID-19, including the closure of selected operations at higher education institutions. 

The executive order calls for the elimination of in-person instruction, a step Rowan University and many other colleges and universities have already taken, as well as the closure of gyms and recreation centers throughout the state. Rowan’s Rec Center and Fitness Center will close this evening for the immediate future.

Presently, our campuses remain open and continue to operate, including providing dining services for residential students. 

Although the executive order today also called for the closure of all K-12 schools, many in our area already have closed, causing some of our employees to stay home to care for their children. Supervisors are working directly with these individuals on work to be completed from home. 

In preparation for what we expect will be an eventual need to have more people work at home temporarily, Rowan is categorizing employees into three groups: physically essential, remotely essential and non-essential. Employees will be informed by Wednesday, March 18, of their classification. The last two classifications identify individuals who can complete their work at home and/or be reassigned to help with projects in other departments and divisions. 

While the COVID-19 crisis is changing much about our daily lives at work and at home, this is when Rowan’s strengths can shine—and when they will matter the most.

I thank you for your ingenuity and courage in responding to unprecedented challenges and needs, for your dedication to our students and colleagues, and for your commitment to serve in spite of the great uncertainty around us.

We are in this together.

Sincerely, 

Ali A. Houshmand
President

New FAQs from Human Resources

More information about our telework policy is available at the Human Resources website. 

Did the Governor say we can work from home?
No. The Governor has requested that employees be authorized to work from home whenever possible. When an essential employee cannot be accommodated to work from home, then the employee may still be required to report to work even in the event of closures. The Governor has directed state entities to establish remote work where possible but to “get the balance right.”

When will I know if I can work remotely?
Employees will be informed by Wednesday, March 18, if they are deemed essential, either physically essential or remotely essential. Others will be permitted to telework as needed. Essential designation and work schedules may be adjusted as workload changes.

If I have an ADA accommodation, does it apply at home?
We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis what accommodations can be provided in the home. For instance, we may provide a large-screen monitor.

Why do we need to complete the Telework Agreement?
The agreement provides employee information including what equipment and access are needed, provides acceptance of the security and confidentially provisions and tracks the duties being assigned so we can be certain that work is covered and work can be reassigned if needed. 

What happens if I’m essential and do not come to work?
If you fail to report to work without an approved excuse, you will be subject to disciplinary action. Although we are trying to be flexible, there are critical functions that improve safety and health that must be completed. 

Can I work flexible hours when I am working remotely?
Yes. You can work with your supervisor to establish a schedule that can accommodate child care or virtual teaching.  We realize employees may not be available during regular work hours so we will be as flexible as possible.

If I am an on-site essential employee, can I have a flexible schedule? 
Possibly. Please coordinate with your supervisor to see if you can work other hours, shifts or days. 

If I am working remotely, how do I report my time?
If you are working a full schedule you will report the hours as worked. If you did not have a full assignment or you are ill with COVID-19, caring for someone else with COVID-19 or told there is no work, then you will report time with the health emergency code in web time entry. If you are ill or caring for someone ill for non-COVID-19 illnesses, then you must report sick time. Vacation time should also be reported as such.

Communication is a vital part of our response each day, both in sharing updates and in receiving information about concerns from the community. It may seem overwhelming to absorb so much news, but staying in touch will help us all adjust and respond effectively in a dynamic situation. 

Who should I call?
At some point during the COVID-19 outbreak, each of us may be in a situation where we have to report an illness or the concern that we have come in contact with someone who is ill. 

• Outside of working hours and away from any Rowan campus, if you feel ill, stay home and contact your family physician if symptoms worsen. If you have been in contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19, please call the Wellness Center at 856-256-4333.
  
  
• While on any campus during normal business hours, if you feel ill and have been in contact with a person who has a confirmed diagnosis, call the Wellness Center at 856-256-4333.
  
  
• After 5 p.m. on any campus, if you feel ill and have been in contact with a person who has a confirmed diagnosis, call Public Safety at 856-256-4922. The dispatcher will contact our public health response team.
  
  
• If you have general questions about COVID-19, visit nj.gov/health or cdc.gov or call the New Jersey hotline at 800-222-1222. 

If the virus hits home
Please visit rowan.edu/virusinfo FAQs for the latest update, with topics for employees including: 

• Instructions to self-isolate or quarantine
• Closing of your children’s school
• Taking care of a family member 
• Being required to work at home or on a different schedule 

Remote teaching and learning
Our shift to remote learning will likely present challenges for faculty and students.

Faculty, please notify students during the week of March 22 about how you plan to deliver coursework beginning March 30. 

Faculty, in these unique circumstances, please be generous in granting accommodations to students who request them. Whether you grant the requests or not, please notify the Dean of Students Office at 856-256-4283 to document the requests and your responses. 

IRT has scheduled workshops Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18, from noon to 1 p.m. for faculty who have questions about tools and resources for teaching and working remotely.  Additional training sessions for faculty will be added during the week of March 23.

• Join Tuesday’s Webex session
• Join Wednesday’s Webex session

Additionally, Rowan University Libraries has a wide range of resources and services for faculty and students readily available online.

Dear Rowan Community,

It’s been a difficult few weeks with news about COVID-19 affecting virtually everything around us. Each new development requires careful, decisive action to protect health and safety. Each tough decision brings changes to the life of our University community that we would prefer not to make.

However, the novel coronavirus poses threats that we can’t ignore. This is unsettling for everyone. We deeply appreciate the patience and cooperation of everyone in the Rowan family. We assure you that while some measures we are taking may seem drastic, concern for the health and safety of our students continues to drive every decision.

We don’t believe any of us — students, faculty, leadership, partners — would have foreseen such a challenge.

We do believe that we have an opportunity to prove again Rowan’s agility and competence at every turn of this crisis and every level of our organization.

Furthermore, we are confident that we once again can prove our community’s compassion and creativity in meeting needs and responding effectively to unforeseen challenges. 

After lengthy consultation with Academic Affairs and other leadership, we write to announce the following transitions and recommendations. Please read carefully and refer to rowan.edu/virusinfo for more information:

• When classes resume on March 30 after the extended spring break, all in-person instruction will move online and through remote learning platforms for the remainder of the semester. Over the next two weeks, students will receive more information from each of their faculty members on how their courses will be completed.
  
  
• All NCAA activities have been cancelled through the end of the semester, as have many intercollegiate programs nationally. Student-athletes will return from their spring break trips shortly.
  
  
• The University will remain open and continue with routine operations so we can accommodate students who choose to remain on campus and need dining and other resources or support for their educational needs.
  
  
• The medical schools’ coursework will transition to online platforms. Experiential learning and rotations will continue. Please note that as professional schools with specific curricular and accreditation requirements, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine may have different policies or procedures. Please refer to communication from Dean Annette Reboli and Dean Tom Cavalieri, their designees or information on their websites.
  
  
• We strongly discourage all non-essential business-related travel — by air, rail, mass transit and in personal vehicles. Even travel previously approved by division heads must be re-evaluated at the division level.
  
  
• Whenever possible, remote technology should be used for meetings. On-campus events are strongly discouraged.
  
  
• Everyone should make alternate plans for off-campus meetings and other events, participating online or using other remote means.

After students’ health and safety are addressed, our students’ academic progress is the next priority. We will use the next two weeks of extended spring break to expand, strengthen and fine-tune our information and communication infrastructure to support online and alternative methods for instruction. We have been evaluating our readiness carefully and we are confident we are prepared. While we know there will be problems to resolve, we will be vigilant to monitor and respond effectively.

We assure you that we share your disappointments and frustrations about everything related to this international public health crisis and its effects on the Rowan community. No one returned to campus in January expecting in March to leave classrooms and labs and have our lives disrupted. None of us know what lies ahead and the uncertainties can seem overwhelming.

Amid all of this, we do know:

• Our academic corps — faculty, leadership, advisors and support staff — are remarkable professionals and colleagues. We appreciate your commitment to students and how you’re exhibiting it at each step in this detour with helpful suggestions and decisive actions.
  
  
• Our students continue to impress and inspire the best in all of us. From first-year, first-gen to post-grad and professionals, we offer our praise for your fortitude and flexibility — along with our regrets for the disappointments COVID-19 has brought to your academic experience and life at Rowan.
  
  
• Our larger Rowan family — the nearly 4,000 employees throughout the institution who face this situation in person — is modeling character and service in extraordinary times. You make us proud to work with you to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible.

Faculty: Office of the Provost, 856-256-4108 or officeoftheprovost@rowan.edu

Students: Dean of Students, 856-256-4283 or deanofstudents@rowan.edu
CMSRU, 856-361-2800
SOM and GSBS, 856-566-6996

Students who are studying abroad: Gokhan Alkanat, director of the International Center, 856-256-5191 or alkanat@rowan.edu

Wellness Center: 856-256-4333 or wellnesscenter@rowan.edu

We are in this together. We will emerge stronger, more capable and equipped with the invaluable experience and enlightened perspective that often only difficulty can bring.

Thank you.

Very truly yours,

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D.
President

Tony Lowman, Ph.D.
Provost

FAQs - updated March 12

Can I stay in my residence hall for the rest of the semester?
Yes. The University remains open and operations will continue as usual, including through spring break. Students who plan to remain on campus through spring break, however, should alert the Office of Residential Learning & University Housing (RLUH) if they have not done so already.

If I live on campus and choose to leave for the rest of the semester, can I receive a refund for housing and meals?
No. The campus will remain open. Residential students can remain in their on-campus housing. Dining and other facilities will remain open. 

Can I check out of my on-campus housing for the semester?
Students who elect to leave for the semester must check out of their on-campus housing using the established Residential Learning & University Housing protocol, including final housing inspection and the return of your key.

If I already left campus, can I check out at a later date?
Yes. Students who already left for spring break or who wish to leave later in the semester can coordinate a check-out time with Residential Learning & University Housing staff. 

If I stay, will there be meals and activities?
Yes, food venues will be open. As per CDC guidelines, the University will reevaluate campus events, however. Other resources, such as the Student Recreation Center and Campbell Library, will remain open.

Can we get more supplies (e.g. wipes) from the University?
Residential Learning & University Housing will provide students with additional cleaning supplies. Students can contact their Resident Assistants for more information.

How are you keeping the residence halls and dining areas clean?
Housekeeping and Gourmet Dining staff have increased their sanitizing efforts. All academic and administrative buildings have hand-sanitizing units at entrances. Individual offices are cleaning on a regular basis, as well. 

Will the University provide training or support for faculty who have not taught online before?
Yes. Information Resources & Technology, the Faculty Center and Rowan Online will be hosting two Webex sessions next week for employees who have questions about tools and resources for teaching and working remotely. The sessions will be held on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18, from noon to 1 p.m. Additional training sessions for faculty will be added during the week of March 23.

• Join Tuesday’s Webex session
• Join Wednesday’s Webex session

We will be accepting questions via chat during the sessions. We will also be recording both sessions, so employees who are unable to tune in for the live sessions can watch on their own time. 

We are asking all principal investigators and directors of laboratory facilities to develop contingency plans for their own labs or shared labs. View guidelines.

Based on the last 24 hours of developing information about COVID-19, we have expanded guidance for Rowan University students and visitors.

Our priority for the next two weeks of extended spring break is to ensure that Rowan University is prepared to transition all instruction to remote delivery by March 30, if needed. This will be a challenge for everyone in the academic community. While we don’t know what each day will bring, Rowan University will make every effort to maintain the quality of the educational experience and help students progress toward their degrees. 

We have added about a dozen entries to the FAQ, with information about technology, advising, residence life, student work and more. You can find several of the new entries below. We will continue with updates daily or even more frequently.  

We are halfway through yet another week of our campus response to COVID-19 and at the beginning of what may stretch well into the spring semester. Each day will bring a new challenge and a new opportunity to show Rowan’s resilience, adaptability and leadership. Thank you for your patience. 

FAQs - updated March 11

Health

Does Rowan University have any confirmed cases of COVID-19?
No, Rowan University has no presumptive or confirmed cases.

Who is vulnerable to COVID-19?
The CDC advises that for the majority of people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low. There is not widespread circulation in most United States communities, but the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and pre-existing health conditions are the most vulnerable. For more details, please see CDC guidelines on risk assessment.

Can I be tested for coronavirus at the Wellness Center?
Not at this time. If you know you have been exposed to someone with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and you develop a cough, fever or shortness of breath or you have symptoms of pneumonia, regardless of possible exposure to a confirmed case, contact the Wellness Center to request help. The Wellness Center will assist with contacting public health experts and arranging transportation for proper care and testing.

If classes go online, will the Wellness Center remain open?
Yes, it will remain open without changes to operating procedures. The university as a whole, including residence halls and dining options will remain open, too.

If a student requires self-quarantine or self-isolation, where will they be housed?
Undergraduate students on campus will be advised to go home if they can travel safely. Otherwise, we will move them to a safe place for quarantine or isolation on or near campus and provide support.

Should I be concerned about pets or companion animals and COVID-19?
To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can be infected with or spread COVID-19. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after being around animals. 

Students

Are we making provisions for students who do not have access to technology, such as internet or computers at home?
We are working through individual colleges to identify students who may have technology needs. We are making available computers in the computer labs on campus, but if students are identified who require additional support, we will work with IRT and colleges to ensure that all students have access to an alternative learning method.

I have a disability that may require accommodations for alternative instruction methods. What should I do?
While deans and faculty are helping identify students with special needs and proposed alternative instruction methods to ensure that all student needs are met, we welcome students to self-identify. If you have approved accommodations or anticipate needing to request accommodations, please contact Director of the Academic Success Center and Disability Resources John Woodruff: 856-256-4259.   

If I don’t like on-line classes, and the University moves to that instruction model, do I get a refund for the semester?
No, the measures we are taking are meant to address health and safety concerns. We are operating under emergency circumstances. If you believe you need an accommodation, please call Dean of Students Kevin Koett: 856-256-4283.

Will advising services be available during the extended spring break?
Yes. Advising services will be available during the extended spring break from March 16 until March 27. Students can schedule appointments through Rowan Success Network (RSN) powered by Starfish.  If a student already has a scheduled advising appointment during the extended spring break but is not on campus for a face-to-face meeting, the appointment can be conducted by phone or an alternate method such as an online meeting. Please contact your assigned advisor through the Rowan Success Network (RSN) powered by Starfish.  If you are not sure who to contact, please email advise@rowan.edu. 

Is my internship, student teaching assignment or work with an off-campus employer going to be affected?
While the university remains open, students should continue their assignments and be aware that their employers may adjust their own policies which could impact student staff. We will be clarifying policies for allied health placements and will be communicating with these students directly.  

If I am a student worker, can I still come to work during the extended Spring Break week?
Yes, as of now, the only change is that classes may be conducted remotely. The university will remain open and operations will continue as usual.

How do I get an excused absence if I am anxious about attending class?
Please refer to the Amended University Attendance Policy. If the Wellness Center asks a student to self-Isolate, we will follow policies to notify the Dean of Students for the duration of illness or self isolation recommendations.

Will I receive a refund for tuition and fees due to the extended break?
No. All course content will be completed within the adjusted timeframe.

If I go home, will I get a refund for on-campus housing or my meal plan? 
Residence halls and dining facilities will remain open. If and when we move instruction online, our goal is to minimize risk by allowing students and faculty to access educational materials remotely, not to evacuate the campus. 

Is Commencement going to be canceled?
A decision will be made no later than April 1.

I’m a Rowan College student through the Rowan Choice program. How does this affect me?
Rowan College of Burlington County and Rowan College of South Jersey are independent and operate separately from Rowan University. Those in the Rowan Choice program who reside on the Rowan University Glassboro campus should expect communication from Rowan College of South Jersey.

Academic Instruction and Services

Does the institution have IT infrastructure in place to support online learning en masse? What accommodations are being made for students who may not have access to internet/technology needed?
Yes, we have the IT infrastructure in place. IRT is producing manuals for faculty to assist with questions. Students who do not have access who are on campus will use the computer labs on campus. Students who are not on campus will be handled on an individual basis in consultation with the Dean of Students.

How will classes with labs or clinical components be handled and moved online? 
In some areas, we have identified virtual labs. Others will be held in person if the campus is open and under normal operation. Clinical experiences will continue unless an emergent situation dictates otherwise.

Visitors

Are campus tours still occurring? 
Out of an abundance of caution, all tours have been canceled. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at 856-256-4200.

How do the changes related to COVID-19 affect events on campus?
Unfortunately, virtually all events and activities open to the public are canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience and disruption, but the University is attempting to reduce the number of visitors to campus in our effort to protect the health and welfare of our students.   

Is Commencement going to be canceled?
A decision will be made no later than April 1.

Based on the last 24 hours of developing information about COVID-19, we have expanded guidance for Rowan University students, employees and visitors.

Our priority for the next two weeks is to ensure that Rowan University is prepared to transition all instruction to remote delivery by March 30. This challenge demands creativity and commitment in every sector of our operation. While we don’t know what each day will bring, it is vital that everyone makes every effort to maintain the quality of the educational experience and preserve student progress toward their degrees.

Responding to Human Resources concerns

We’ve added a new section to the FAQ page with more than a dozen entries that relate directly to employment matters. Please visit rowan.edu/virusinfo for full information. The emergency contingency plan for staffing and sick time and the telework and emergency preparedness documents are now available on the Human Resources website. 

Preparing alternative methods for delivering course content

We continue to seek feedback from faculty about how best to support them and their students. Academic leadership and IRT are working intently to serve the people carrying out our academic mission and help them achieve their objectives.

The Faculty Center and Information Resources & Technology have created guides to help faculty as they plan to transition course content to be delivered online. Please visit those websites for tools and resources for using Blackboard and Canvas, virtually communicating and collaborating with students and more. The Faculty Center is also soliciting volunteers to help field questions from faculty about Blackboard, Webex, Google Apps and other tools. We are also coordinating on additional training and Q&A opportunities next week for faculty who are preparing to transition their courses online. We will provide more details about those opportunities when they are finalized. 

Working Remotely

Information Resources & Technology has compiled a guide of the tools and resources that will help employees work remotely. Please review the guide as you prepare for the possibility of telework. 

If you have any questions about the resources on that website, please contact the Technology Support Center at 856-256-4400 or submit a ticket in the IRT Support Portal. 

We are halfway through yet another week of our campus response to COVID-19 and at the beginning of what may stretch well into the spring semester. Each day will bring a new challenge and a new opportunity to show Rowan’s resiliience, adaptability and leadership. 

Below are responses to the FAQ that we’ve added in the last day. We will continue with updates daily or even more frequently. To be more helpful to readers, we’ve rearranged the FAQ into categories for students, employees and visitors. Please visit rowan.edu/virusinfo.

FAQs - updated March 11

Health

Does Rowan University have any confirmed cases of COVID-19?
No, Rowan University has no presumptive or confirmed cases.

Who is vulnerable to COVID-19?
The CDC advises that for the majority of people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low. There is not widespread circulation in most United States communities, but the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and pre-existing health conditions are the most vulnerable. For more details, please see CDC guidelines on risk assessment. 

Can I be tested for coronavirus at the Wellness Center?
Not at this time. If you know you have been exposed to someone with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and you develop a cough, fever or shortness of breath or you have symptoms of pneumonia, regardless of possible exposure to a confirmed case, contact the Wellness Center to request help. The Wellness Center will assist with contacting public health experts and arranging transportation for proper care and testing.

If classes go online, will the Wellness Center remain open?
Yes, it will remain open without changes to operating procedures. The university as a whole, including residence halls and dining options will remain open, too. 

If a student requires self-quarantine or self-isolation, where will they be housed?
Undergraduate students on campus will be advised to go home if they can travel safely. Otherwise, we will move them to a safe place for quarantine or isolation on or near campus and provide support.

Should I be concerned about pets or companion animals and COVID-19?
To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can be infected with or spread COVID-19. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after being around animals. 

Students

Are we making provisions for students who do not have access to technology, such as internet or computers at home?
We are working through individual colleges to identify students who may have technology needs. We are making available computers in the computer labs on campus, but if students are identified who require additional support, we will work with IRT and colleges to ensure that all students have access to an alternative learning method.

I have a disability that may require accommodations for alternative instruction methods. What should I do?
While deans and faculty are helping identify students with special needs and proposed alternative instruction methods to ensure that all student needs are met, we welcome students to self-identify. If you have approved accommodations or anticipate needing to request accommodations, please contact Director of the Academic Success Center and Disability Resources John Woodruff: 856-256-4259.   

If I don’t like on-line classes, and the University moves to that instruction model, do I get a refund for the semester?
No, the measures we are taking are meant to address health and safety concerns. We are operating under emergency circumstances. If you believe you need an accommodation, please call Dean of Students Kevin Koett: 856-256-4283.

Will advising services be available during the extended spring break?
Yes. Advising services will be available during the extended spring break from March 16 until March 27. Students can schedule appointments through Rowan Success Network (RSN) powered by Starfish.  If a student already has a scheduled advising appointment during the extended spring break but is not on campus for a face-to-face meeting, the appointment can be conducted by phone or an alternate method such as an online meeting. Please contact your assigned advisor through the Rowan Success Network (RSN) powered by Starfish.  If you are not sure who to contact, please email advise@rowan.edu.

Is my internship, student teaching assignment or work with an off-campus employer going to be affected?
While the university remains open, students should continue their assignments and be aware that their employers may adjust their own policies which could impact student staff. We will be clarifying policies for allied health placements and will be communicating with these students directly.  

If I am a student worker, can I still come to work during the extended Spring Break week?
Yes, as of now, the only change is that classes may be conducted remotely. The university will remain open and operations will continue as usual.

How do I get an excused absence if I am anxious about attending class?
Please refer to the Amended University Attendance Policy. If the Wellness Center asks a student to self-Isolate, we will follow policies to notify the Dean of Students for the duration of illness or self isolation recommendations.

Will I receive a refund for tuition and fees due to the extended break?
No. All course content will be completed within the adjusted timeframe.

If I go home, will I get a refund for on-campus housing or my meal plan? 
Residence halls and dining facilities will remain open. If and when we move instruction online, our goal is to minimize risk by allowing students and faculty to access educational materials remotely, not to evacuate the campus. 

Is Commencement going to be canceled?
A decision will be made no later than April 1.

I’m a Rowan College student through the Rowan Choice program. How does this affect me?
Rowan College of Burlington County and Rowan College of South Jersey are independent and operate separately from Rowan University. Those in the Rowan Choice program who reside on the Rowan University Glassboro campus should expect communication from Rowan College of South Jersey.

Academic Instruction and Services

Does the institution have IT infrastructure in place to support online learning en masse? What accommodations are being made for students who may not have access to internet/technology needed?
Yes, we have the IT infrastructure in place. IRT is producing manuals for faculty to assist with questions. Students who do not have access who are on campus will use the computer labs on campus. Students who are not on campus will be handled on an individual basis in consultation with the Dean of Students.

How will classes with labs or clinical components be handled and moved online?
In some areas, we have identified virtual labs. Others will be held in person if the campus is open and under normal operation. Clinical experiences will continue unless an emergent situation dictates otherwise.

I understand that Webex has been identified as the preferred product for online delivery. Will other online technologies be available if those are more user-friendly?
Information Resources & Technology has compiled a guide of the tools and resources that will help employees work remotely. Please review the guide as you prepare for the possibility of telework. If you have any questions about the resources on that website, please contact the Technology Support Center at 856-256-4400 or submit a ticket in the IRT Support Portal.

How can I find help or help my colleagues with the transition to online instruction?
The Faculty Center and Information Resources & Technology have created guides to help faculty as they plan to transition course content to be delivered online. Please review those websites for tools and resources for using Blackboard and Canvas, virtually communicating and collaborating with students and more.  

The Faculty Center is also soliciting volunteers to help field questions from faculty about Blackboard, Webex, Google Apps and other tools. IRT will provide more details about those opportunities when they are finalized. 

Will the university be providing training or support for faculty who have not taught online before
Yes, we are already holding forums in conjunction with the University Senate and IRT, and the Faculty Center is providing training and resources for faculty. The Affordability Task Force is also supporting faculty by offering information on where to find online content.

Employee

Should we continue on-campus interviews?
We are attempting to minimize on-campus visitors and maximize the use of technology for communications. As such, we encourage you to convert your proposed on-campus interviews to Webex or other online formats. If you have specific questions, contact Human Resources. 

How will tenure and recontracting requirements be addressed such as student interviews and peer evaluations?
We will collect online evaluations from students if possible, but we are working with the University Senate to ensure that faculty are not penalized by this crisis in the tenure and recontracting period. 

Is Commencement going to be canceled?
A decision will be made no later than April 1.

Visitors

Are campus tours still occurring? 
Out of an abundance of caution, all tours have been canceled. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at 856-256-4200.

How do the changes related to COVID-19 affect events on campus?
Unfortunately, virtually all events and activities open to the public are canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience and disruption, but the University is attempting to reduce the number of visitors to campus in our effort to protect the health and welfare of our students.   

Is Commencement going to be canceled?
A decision will be made no later than April 1.

Hello Residential Students:

I am sure you have been following news about COVID-19 recently. I want to update you about steps that the University has taking to minimize the risks of transmission of COVID -19 and other viruses that may cause illness in student housing. I also want to share information about resources that will be available to students during the extended spring break for any students who remain on campus in student housing.

Ongoing Cleaning and Disinfection Measures

• Housekeeping personnel in all student housing facilities routinely work to clean and disinfect student housing facilities. As a response to the COVID-19 outbreak, extra attention will be given to disinfection of high touch surfaces and bathrooms. 
• RAs will be providing a supply of Clorox disinfecting wipes to each resident unit this week. One container of wipes will be given to each room or apartment for shared use by the residents of that unit. If you are not home, they will knock and then enter to drop off the container to your space, and lock the door behind them.
• Students should become familiar with the following CDC guidance related to cleaning and disinfection in areas they maintain in their own living units, such as kitchens and bathrooms;

• • Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
  • Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

• Given this guidance, please use the provided Clorox wipes to disinfect high touch surfaces within your room/apartment after doing regular cleaning with normal cleaning supplies. High touch areas include door knobs, light switches, tables where you eat. The supply of wipes will be limited, so wipes should NOT be the primary supplies for all cleaning. Regular cleaning supplies should be used for general cleaning purposes, followed by use of disinfection products as appropriate. 

• The CDC has prepared a resource page with helpful information related to cleaning protocols, which can be found here-

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/cleaning-disinfection.html

Resources During Spring Break

• You have likely heard that the University has extended the spring break to run from Saturday 3/14 through Sunday 3/29. The break extension will allow our faculty time to prepare plans for possible delivery of their courses in an online format if the University needs to reduce face-to-face classes at some point in the future due to COVID -19. The spring break extension is NOT due to any reported illness at Rowan at this time.
• Residential staff will continue to be available throughout the spring break in every residential building.
• Each evening, there will be an RA On-Duty in every building in the same manner as on any other night during the semester.
• Residents can contact the RA on duty in the hall office or front desk area each evening from 8 APM to 10 PM, or using the same phone numbers you normally used to contact the RA On-Duty.
• Public Safety is also available 24 hrs. for any safety or security related concerns, and can be reached at 856-256-4922 in non-emergency situations, or 856-256-4911 for emergencies. Call 911 from any cell phone during an emergency.
• The University Wellness center will be open during normal business hours 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM weekdays.
• Meal service will be available for students with a meal plan during breakfast, lunch and dinner. A more detailed message about times and locations will be sent at a later time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your building staff or our housing staff at our central office in Savitz Hall, which can be reached at 856-256-4266 or housingquestions@rowan.edu

Thank you!

Travis Douglas, D.Mgt.
Assistant Vice President for Residential Learning
Residential Learning & University Housing

Student organizations, advisers, and event hosts,

All events and gatherings from March 16 to April 30, 2020 in which external groups use or rent our facilities on Rowan University campuses are officially cancelled.

Rowan staff and faculty organizing events and gatherings during the March 16 to April 30 timeframe, that include internal and external guests are asked to modify the event to an internal (Rowan University students, faculty, and staff) audience only or to postpone or cancel the event. Internal Rowan events are closed to the public/groups of visitors. For example, a guest speaker is allowed to present to an organization, but a networking event with multiple off-campus visitors is not permitted. The guiding principle to consider when evaluating the event is to limit the exposure and spread of the virus by limiting external visitors to campus.

Wherever possible, organizers of internal events should try to accommodate interested parties by livestreaming their program or providing live updates on social media. You may also explore WebEx and other mechanisms for virtual meetings. 

As a student organization event organizer, even if your event was previously approved, please immediately review all events scheduled from March 16 to April 30 in light of this guidance by Friday, March 13:

• If needed, please edit your ProfLink event listing(s): Click Manage Event on the event page, there you can:
• • Change Details: to change an event date (postpone) or edit the event description to clarify that it is for an internal audience only, add the event disclaimer text below, etc.
  • Cancel Event if needed
• If your event is cancelled or postponed, you are responsible to take action to cancel the event, including communicating with speakers and guests, cancelling catering, cancelling 25Live reservations, as well as any other arrangements.
  
  
• Internal student organization meetings may continue at this time. However, no new non-essential public events should be scheduled until further notice.

I appreciate your cooperation in adapting planned events as needed. I understand that this is disappointing and frustrating due to the care and time you have committed to planning successful campus events. Please contact the Event Consultant for your student organization (listed on your ProfLink roster) with questions and for assistance as needed.

Event disclaimer:

Please be advised that event circumstances may change in response to the rapidly evolving nature of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and may require postponement, cancellation, or virtualization in the future. Therefore, Rowan University strongly urges anyone hosting or attending any large group events on-campus to remain informed by reviewing COVID-19 information and campus updates at rowan.edu/virusinfo.

Further, students, faculty, and staff are urged to be mindful and take precautions if participating in large events, such as: maintain a social distance from others; limit physical contact; wash hands; and use hand sanitizer. Additionally, if you do not feel well, please stay home.

Drew Tinnin, Ed.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Life
Division of Student Affairs

Each day in our ongoing response to threat of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)— often within just a few hours or minutes of the last update — we learn something more that requires us to plan and react in the best interests of our students and the University mission. This update covers information for students and employees, as well as University guests and partners. Medical school students and faculty will receive instruction specific to their campuses.

Because this is a rapidly changing situation with complex demands and significant effects on everyone, we deeply appreciate the concern, cooperation and flexibility of each individual and group within the Rowan community. While there are no reported cases of the novel coronavirus at Rowan University, we are focused on minimizing its effects.

Yesterday, we announced the extension of spring break by a week to allow professors to convert their courses to be delivered remotely beginning March 30, if necessary. In addition to ensuring health and safety, we are making every effort to maintain the quality of the educational experience and preserve student progress toward their degrees.

Below is a series of additional policies we are enacting to further protect and prepare the University.

Campus events

We believe it is important to limit the number of visitors to our campuses over the next several weeks. The following rules are in effect from March 16 to April 30:

• All events that involve external groups using or renting our facilities are cancelled.
• Internal Rowan events are closed to the public/groups of visitors. For example, a visiting lecturer is allowed to present to a class, but a networking event with multiple off-campus visitors is not permitted. Wherever possible, organizers of internal events should try to accommodate interested parties by livestreaming their program or providing live updates on social media.
• All events scheduled between March 16 and April 30, even if previously approved, must be reviewed immediately by divisional vice presidents by Friday, March 13.

While these guidelines will cover most instances, we recognize there may be exceptions. Student groups should contact Dean of Students Kevin Koett, koett@rowan.edu or 856-256-4283. Faculty and staff should contact the Office of the Provost, 856-256-4108, or their division head.

We will continue to review scheduled events and will make decisions by April 1 about May and June events.

Spectators attending Athletics events:

All intercollegiate Athletics and sport club contests will proceed as scheduled. Students and employees are welcome to cheer on our teams. Others are encouraged to view the events via livestream at Rowan Athletics. We will advise fans to stay home if they are not feeling well and/or have compromised immune systems.

Please note, parents and spectators should check other institutions for their spectator policies before attending Rowan away games.

Additional administrative guidelines and policies:

1. The University remains open, and all faculty and staff should continue their regular work schedules. Although classes are not in session during spring break and the week following, operations and activities are continuing unless otherwise noted.
2. Revised course registration dates are now available.  Academic advisors are available during both weeks of spring break. Students who wish to change an in-person meeting to a phone appointment should contact their advisors to make arrangements. More information about advising can be found at the Academic Advising website.
3. The student attendance policy has been revised to account for issues related to COVID-19.
4. Should it become necessary, Rowan has established an emergency telework policy for employees to maintain critical functions and continue operations in the event of a closure.
5. Rowan now has an emergency contingency plan in place regarding staffing and sick time in order to maintain ongoing business while protecting the needs of students.
6. Students with concerns not specifically addressed in this update may find answers in the FAQ section of our COVID-19 website. Students may also ask questions of Dean of Students Kevin Koett, koett@rowan.edu or 856-256-4283.

What we face daily — even hourly — now in guarding against COVID-19 is dynamic and challenging. It will have far-reaching, long-term effects. Our primary goal is to protect the Rowan community and provide a safe, healthy environment.

To everyone working to support our efforts and cooperate in extraordinary times, we say thank you. This crisis presents countless unknowns. Even so, Rowan University has boundless potential to show kindness, courage and competence in whatever lies ahead.

Recent FAQs

Below are some questions we received over the past 24 hours, and our answers. They also will be posted at rowan.edu/virusinfo.

1. If I become ill, who should I contact?
   Students who feel ill should call their primary care provider and then notify the Wellness Center at 856-256-4333 for guidance.
   
   
2. If I have questions and would like to speak with someone, who should I call?
   Faculty: Contact the Office of the Provost at 856-256-4108.
   
   Students: Glassboro campus students should contact the Dean of Students at 856-256-4283. CMSRU, SOM and GSBS students should contact the offices of their respective deans.
   
   Wellness Center: 856-256-4333
   
   Visit rowan.edu/virusinfo
   
   
3. Will I receive a refund for meals and housing due to the extended break?
   No. University housing and food services remain available during spring break.
   
   
4. If I have a compromised immune system or special health concerns, what accommodations are available?
   Faculty have been asked to accommodate students with special health concerns. Students who require accommodations, such as distance-learning opportunities or the ability to make up work from missed in-class meetings, should discuss those needs with their instructors.
   
   
5. Has the University made the decision to close for the semester?
   No. The University extended spring break an extra week to allow faculty time to convert course material to be delivered remotely (i.e., Webex), if necessary. Although we are extending spring break a week, we are not extending the semester.
   
   
6. Has the University made the decision to move to 100% online courses for the rest of the year?
   No. You will be notified if the situation changes.
   
   
7. If I can’t leave Rowan over spring break, can I remain on campus?
   Yes. The University remains open and operations will continue as usual. Students who plan to remain on campus through spring break should alert the Office of Residential Learning & University Housing.
   
   
8. If I remain on campus during spring break, will I have access to dining?
   Yes, several of the food venues will be open.

Although no one in the Rowan community has tested positive for COVID-19, we are now preparing for the possibility that academic operations may be disrupted, including our students’ ability to attend class in person.

An important step in our planning efforts is having our faculty convert their courses so they can be offered virtually. This takes preparation.

To that end, the University will extend spring break through Friday, March 27, to allow faculty time to convert course content to be delivered virtually (i.e., Webex). All assignments and projects for in-person courses that are due the week of March 23 are now pushed back to the week of March 29. Existing online courses will not be affected, and will follow their planned schedules. Although we are extending spring break a week, we are not extending the semester.

With the extended break, class registration will now be pushed back to the week of March 29.

If you are able to return home for spring break, please do so. All resident students will receive a text message from the Office of Residential Learning & University Housing, which will allow you to report your plans. All approved student and Athletics trips will go on as planned over spring break. The University will remain open and operations will continue as usual.

While at this time no decision has been made to move in-person courses online after the extended spring break, we will be able to do so if needed.

We understand that news about COVID-19 and the precautionary measures the University is taking can be stressful for some individuals. Whether it’s for mental or physical health concerns, students should request accommodations of their professors.

We want to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation. We as a university will continue to work on our contingency plans with the goal of finishing the semester strong.

In the meantime, continue to practice good hygiene and sanitizing habits.

For more information, contact:

• Faculty: Contact the Office of the Provost at 856-256-4108.
• Students: Glassboro campus students should contact the Dean of Students at 856-256-4283. CMSRU, SOM and GSBS students should contact the offices of their respective deans.
• Wellness Center: 856-256-4333
• Visit rowan.edu/virusinfo

As the University prepares for spring break, there has been a lot of news developing about COVID-19. Please be assured that while it may seem as if the University is operating as usual, an emergency preparedness team has been monitoring developments daily and updating policies and procedures that will prepare Rowan for all scenarios. 

We have developed a webpage that will serve as the official source of information on the University’s COVID-19 response. Please visit often, as it will be continually updated and will include the latest information regarding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and our preparations.

Here are the steps we’ve taken and/or requests for the University community.

Planning for a Disruption:

The University has procedures in place if anyone needs to miss class or work, and is well-prepared if the virus impacts our community. Each of us needs to be flexible and patient, however.

Academic Affairs is committed to ensuring every course can be completed, whether the class meets in-person or the course is completed online. Human Resources will share telework and staffing plans if necessary. Plans are in place to support students, if the need arises. Food service plans have been developed. Additionally, we are monitoring events that bring visitors to our campus, and will postpone or cancel if the need arises.

Students Studying Abroad:

We had 20 students studying abroad this semester. To date, six students who were studying in Italy have returned and were given the option to take online courses for the balance of the semester so they maintain their academic progress. The International Center is in regular contact with the remaining students, each of whom was offered help with returning home, but chose to finish their academic programs abroad.

Canceled Trips:

We canceled several University-related student and faculty trips to high-risk areas that were scheduled throughout the balance of this semester and early summer. While we are generally following CDC guidelines for travel, we have taken a more cautious approach and are no longer accepting travel requests for international trips.

Although the state of New Jersey issued certain travel restrictions for its employees, public higher education employees are not affected by that directive.

There are currently no restrictions on domestic travel; however, we are closely monitoring University-funded plans. 

At this time, we strongly encourage students and employees to carefully reconsider their University-related travel plans they may have scheduled for the balance of the semester. Identify alternative gathering plans, if available, through the hosting agency.

CDC travel advisories are changing daily. If you have not done so already, please report any planned University-related trips to your department and division heads. We would appreciate it if personal international travel plans are reported to mytravelplans@rowan.edu so that the University can help keep you up to date on travel advisories.

Students and employees who are taking part in a University-related trip that are still scheduled to depart do not have to go if they feel uncomfortable about traveling at this time. Please notify your trip leader immediately if you do not plan to participate, so cancellations can be made.

Keeping Rowan Healthy

In order to minimize the spread of illness, Housekeeping and Gourmet Dining staff have increased their sanitizing efforts. But we need your help.

Please take common-sense precautions to protect against the spread of this illness.

It’s simple. Wash your hands. Cover your coughs. Refrain from shaking hands at this time. Monitor your own health. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to a cold or flu. If you feel unwell, stay away from others, call your primary care provider for advice, and notify the Wellness Center.

All academic and administrative buildings should have hand-sanitizing units at entrances. If they have been removed or need to be filled, please contact Housekeeping at 856-256-4650 or housekeeping@rowan.edu.

It’s also important to monitor your own mental health. It’s normal to feel anxious or stressed. Know the signs of stress, how to relieve stress, and when to seek help. If you are feeling overwhelmed, please contact the Wellness Center at 856-256-4333.

While Rowan is fortunate to have its own infectious disease and medical experts, we also are working with local and state officials and are closely following CDC guidance when developing contingency plans.

If we must activate those plans, we will notify you through Rowan Daily Mail, Extra Daily Mail, or the Rowan Alert emergency notification system. If you are not enrolled in Rowan Alert, please do so now through Self-Service Banner. 

Here are more ways to reach us if you have questions:

• Faculty: Contact the Office of the Provost at 856-256-4108.
• Students: Glassboro campus students should contact the Dean of Students at 856-256-4283. CMSRU, SOM and GSBS students should contact the offices of their respective deans.
• Wellness Center: 856-256-4333
• Visit www.rowan.edu/virusinfo

We’re committed to keeping our community healthy. Thank you for your attention and your help with this critical matter.

Some employees have asked whether they must attend University-related trips already scheduled for this semester here in the United States. The simple answer is no. Employees do not need to attend the conference or visit scheduled. 

Rowan, as consistent with CDC guidelines, is not restricting domestic travel if employees choose to travel. The University, however, does not want to force attendance to events by individuals concerned about COVID-19 and its potential to spread throughout the country.

Anyone who wants to cancel their University-related travel plans must notify their managers and division heads in writing, as soon as possible. They should also show proof of their cancellations so to avoid unnecessary losses of university funds. 

If you have any questions, please contact Terri Drye, vice president for Human Resources at 856-256-5236.

Over the past few days, there has been a surge of new Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) cases reported across the globe. Although the immediate risk for the U.S. remains low, our students and faculty travel broadly for such things as conferences, study abroad experiences, competitions, research, and so on. 

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and broader University community, Rowan University is immediately suspending some planned University-related international travel through May 31, and may extend that date if necessary.

Student Guidelines
Students currently studying abroad do not have to return at this time, but should contact Gokhan Alkanat, director of the International Center, 856-256-5191, alkanat@rowan.edu, with questions or concerns. The University will provide financial assistance to those individuals who are studying in areas with risk level designations and who want to return home.

Student groups that are scheduled to take a University-related trip to a destination designated as Level 1 or higher, and have already purchased tickets and made other financial commitments, should contact the Dean of Students Office, 856-256-4283, for directions on how to cancel their trips. The University will provide financial assistance to students who may suffer financial losses as a result of this temporary suspension. For destinations that are not currently designated, monitoring will continue.

Employee Guidelines
Faculty who have already been approved for University-related international travel should immediately contact the Office of the Provost for a review of their itinerary. University funds cannot be used for trips to COVID-19 Level 1 or higher designated areas. All travel previously approved to other countries will be allowed but the situation will be regularly monitored. The University is suspending approvals of international travel requests.

Personal Trips
The University requests that students and employees report their plans for international travel to mytravelplans@rowan.edu, especially if traveling to countries with any risk level designation. The Wellness Center will provide additional information about travel warnings and precautions individuals should take before leaving and before returning. 

The University understands that the decision to suspend international travel will inconvenience many across our institution. We appreciate your patience on this matter and commit to helping individuals avoid personal losses.

Dear University Community:

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) yesterday issued an update about the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

We want to assure the University community that our team of medical experts is monitoring developments on a daily basis, and administrators are using state and federal resources to ensure that we have the latest information and advice about the spread of the virus. Department heads also are reviewing and updating emergency protocols to implement if the situation escalates and the CDC recommends further measures.

Below is important information to consider, particularly for those who plan to travel over spring break:

• Stay alert to changes and developments that may affect your plans. Travel warnings are being issued and updated every week.
• Avoid personal non-essential travel to China and South Korea, countries categorized as Level 3. If traveling to Japan, Iran and Italy — Level 2 countries — the CDC encourages the use of enhanced precautions. The CDC also recommends that all travelers reconsider cruise ship voyages into or within Asia at this time.
• Popular U.S. destinations experience a surge of visitors this time of year. Health and safety precautions are encouraged, such as avoiding contact with sick people and cleaning hands often by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 60% to 95% alcohol.

University-Sponsored Travel

Rowan is currently reviewing all University-sponsored international travel on a case-by-case basis. Students and parents with questions should contact Gokhan Alkanat, director of the International Center, 856-256-5191, alkanat@rowan.edu. Faculty should contact the Office of the Provost at 856-256-4108. If you have not been contacted about planned travel, please notify the appropriate office of your University-sponsored international travel plan.

Special precautions

If you are taking a trip or are in close contact with someone who has returned from China or a country with a Level 2 or 3 classification, we ask that you please notify the Wellness Center, at 856-256-4333, to receive the latest instructions and guidelines as provided by the CDC.

If you feel ill with flu-like respiratory symptoms after traveling abroad, please self-quarantine and immediately contact your primary care physician.

Although the CDC has said the risk here in the U.S. still remains low, the University encourages everyone to practice good hygiene such as avoiding contact with sick people and cleaning hands often by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60% to 95% alcohol. Additional disinfectant stations will be installed throughout our campuses over the next several weeks.

Staying Informed

Rowan University’s health and wellness officials are in constant contact with the local and state health departments and are proceeding according to CDC guidance.

If you have questions about the recommendations relating to travel, please contact the International Center for proposed student travel the Office of the Provost for faculty-related travel.  

For more information:

• N.J. Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• The Wellness Center, 856-256-4333

If you feel unwell, contact your primary care provider and then notify the Wellness Center at 856-256-4333 for guidance. For information about monitoring and testing, visit the Return to Rowan site. 

Students: If you have to miss assignments due to illness, please report your absence to your professor and then to the Dean of Students through the Wellness Center Student COVID-19 Form.

Employees: If you need to miss work due to your or an immediate family member's possible exposure to or diagnosis with COVID-19, please contact Human Resources at HR@rowan.edu within three days of your initial absence and provide the proper documentation. You will not need to use accumulated leave time. If you need to miss work due to a non-COVID-19 illness, you will need to use accumulated leave time.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus strain first detected in Wuhan, China. There are many types of human coronaviruses, including some that cause mild upper-respiratory illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease not previously seen in humans.

Common signs of infection include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

In severe cases, particularly in people with underlying health conditions, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and death.

Based on what is known about similar coronaviruses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person:

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet).
• From respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
• Possibly from touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
• Between people who are not showing symptoms.

The incubation period is the time between exposure to a pathogen and the appearance of first symptoms.

The CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days after exposure. This is based on the incubation periods for similar viruses.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people, according to the CDC. The risk of severe illness is higher for older adults, those with compromised immune systems and pre-existing health conditions. For more details, visit the CDC's site. 

• Wear a face covering over your mouth and nose when in public.
• Keep at least six feet between yourself and others not in your household. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, and disinfect your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• If you haven’t already been immunized against the flu, get a flu shot.

The CDC now recommends the use of cloth face masks in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Due to a national shortage of personal protective equipment, N95 respirators and surgical masks should only be used by healthcare workers and medical first responders. 

For more guidance on the proper use of face masks, visit the CDC's website.

For up-to-date information, please check the following websites:

• New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• World Health Organization
• NJ Department of Health

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, 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 will provide medical services, student services and virtual instruction to students in self-isolation.

• Faculty: Contact the Office of the Provost at 856-256-4108.
• Students: Glassboro campus students should contact the Dean of Students at 856-256-4283. CMSRU, SOM and GSBS students should contact the offices of their respective deans.
• Wellness Center: 856-256-4333

Please visit the Return to Rowan site for detailed information about enhanced cleaning protocols. 

• The Office of Career Advancement website posts resources for employment and job opportunities for those with transportation.
  
  
• Student Emergency Assistance funds (up to $500) are available from the Rowan University Foundation. This source can provide temporary financial assistance to students who have experienced a personal or family crisis that would jeopardize their status as a matriculated student at Rowan University. Funds are distributed through the Dean of Students.
  
  
• Additionally, if your family has experienced a loss of income, you may qualify for an adjustment. Information about an income adjustment appeal can be found on the Financial Aid website. Students who wish to submit an appeal should email financialaid@rowan.edu.
  
  
• The SHOP, Rowan’s free food pantry and resource center for students, and Fresh For All, which offers free fresh fruits and vegetables to students and community members each Friday, are scheduled to continue. Visit Go.Rowan.Edu/TheSHOP for updates on hours and accessibility.
  
  
• Gourmet Dining also provides a number of donated meals to students facing food insecurity. Meals are distributed through the Dean of Students Office and The SHOP. Email theshop@rowan.edu if you are in need. 
  
  
• The Borough of Glassboro has two food pantries. (Please check with each about eligibility requirements): 
  • Healing Wings - 520 E. Stanger Ave. - Wednesdays, noon-3 p.m.
  • Samaritan Center - 123 High Street East - Wednesdays, noon-3 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. The pantry is open to one person at a time.

Please visit the Return to Rowan site for guidance on travel. 

Employees who are not under suspicion of having been exposed to the virus or diagnosed with the virus, but have to stay home with a child due to the closure of a preschool program, elementary or secondary school, or child care center related to COVID-19, will be required to provide documentation verifying the closing. Rowan may require work from home under certain circumstances. If a work from home arrangement cannot be accommodated, the employee will not be required to use accumulated leave during the period of the COVID-19-related closure. If not working remotely, employees should complete web time entry using pay code health emergency. 

Employees may not bring children to work.

If the employee’s absence is caused by the employee’s need to care for an immediate family member who (i) has been diagnosed with COVID-19, (ii) was directed by a medical professional or government agency to self-isolate or quarantine due to possible exposure to or diagnosis with COVID-19, and/or (iii) is undergoing a period of self-quarantine or isolation pursuant to public health assessment recommendations, the employee shall submit documentation verifying the family member’s COVID-19-related illness, exposure, and/or quarantine period to Human Resources at HR@rowan.edu within three days of the employee’s initial absence. The employee will not be required to use accumulated sick time. If no such documentation is received, the employee will need to use accumulated leave time. If documentation is provided to HR, employees should complete web time entry using pay code health emergency.

Employees should complete web time entry using code health emergency. If employees cannot access web time entry, either the employee or the employee’s timekeeper may submit a manual time record and submit it to payroll through payrollservices@rowan.edu.

Employees who had previously been subjected to documentation requirements under Rowan’s standard operating procedures due to excessive absenteeism or abuse of sick leave will not be disciplined for future absences that occur as a result of them being suspected of or diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus or having to be absent to care for a family member impacted by the virus.

For cases where individuals are undergoing a period of isolation or quarantine, documentation from a local, state or federal governmental agency, a medical professional, office, or hospital or proof that the employee was recently in a location where the recommendation by a governmental agency is to self-quarantine will satisfy the requirement to provide documentation. Additional forms may be required if approved by the state.

For cases where individuals are caring for an immediate family member sickened by or diagnosed with COVID-19, then the employee shall submit documentation verifying the family member’s COVID-19-related illness to Human Resources within three days of the employee’s initial absence.

Yes. The emergency staffing plan does not eliminate the protections provided by federal and state law. However, vacations scheduled may be rescinded in an emergency if no other alternative is available to provide critical functions.

Employees who become ill may apply for FML. HR will provide direction and will relax documentation if required.

If you are asked to telework, we will evaluate on a case-by-case basis what accommodations can be provided in the home. For instance, we may provide a large-screen monitor.

Yes. Quarantine is imposed by Public Health and employees or family members would be mandated to remain out of the public to limit exposure. Employees under Public Health quarantine would be paid and would not be required to utilize paid leave time. Self-isolation is self-imposed because the employee wishes to minimize exposure to self or others. Employees may self-isolate without consequences but will be required to utilize paid leave. Social distancing is limiting group events and remaining six feet from others.

Employees may access the Employee Assistance Service at 1-866-327-9133.