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Dean of Students

Welcome message from the Dean of Students.

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Watch: A special message from the staff of The Office of the Dean of Students

Dear Highlanders,

On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs, I am pleased to welcome you to the 2021-2022 academic year. It is a privilege to serve as your Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at this outstanding institution during a challenging time when the world continues to contend with the impact of the COVID pandemic. The Division of Student Affairs is committed to providing opportunities for you to engage, lead, and make important contributions to society as socially conscious and civic-minded citizens. We pride ourselves on our diverse student body and are committed to nurturing an environment that celebrates our differences.  

One of my team’s goals is to provide access to resources that may assist you in achieving your academic goals. Some of these resources are designed to enhance your overall university experience outside of the classroom. We have more than 150 diverse and welcoming organizations that offer leadership, networking, personal growth, and community service opportunities. Suppose you are interested in a closer connection with your peers or an opportunity to do something you enjoy. In that case, I strongly encourage you to visit https://njit.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations and join one or more organizations.   

I am interested in learning more about you and having an opportunity to share a little about my role as your Dean of Students. Hearing from students throughout the semester is important, and I intend to host pop-up roundtables (virtual and face-to-face) to hear your thoughts and ideas about the university. I have a team of colleagues dedicated to providing you with resources to support your success at NJIT. 

I am also delighted to announce several personnel updates within the Division of Student Affairs that will strengthen our ability to promote student success and wellness and increase learning and engagement opportunities. 

Kristie Damell, Ed.D, formerly Executive Director of Student Life, who has provided excellent service and support to the NJIT community for the last three years, has joined the Office of the Dean of Students and Campus Life as Associate Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator. In this new capacity, Kristie will work to create a campus free from sexual violence and discrimination that welcomes and supports all students. During the search for a new Director, she will continue to guide the Office of Student Life.

Charnette Hockaday, JD, Associate Dean of Students, rejoined NJIT in July 2021. She will support the development and academic progress of students and retention initiatives. Charnette also is responsible for the processing and adjudication of the Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity violations. She formerly worked for NJIT's Office of Residence Life, and we are thrilled she has returned to the Highlander community.

Jenna D'Agostini, Psy.D. CADC, Staff Psychologist and Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Services, joined NJIT in May 2021 and is a welcomed addition to the C-CAPS staff.  Jenna has a varied background in mental health that includes certification in alcohol and drug counseling, working with serious and persistent mental illness, and forensic psychology.  Jenna will provide individual and group counseling and psychotherapy, outreach programming and workshops, campus consultation, crisis intervention, and referrals to off-campus resources.  In addition, Jenna will be responsible for the coordination of addiction services for C-CAPS.

James (Jim) Mandala, Ph.D., LP, Staff Psychologist, joined NJIT in April 2021 as a member of the C-CAPS staff. Jim came to NJIT with extensive experience related to college student mental health. His areas of professional focus are prevention, abuse and trauma survivors, family issues, religious and spiritual issues, and cross-cultural issues. As a Staff Psychologist, Jim will provide individual and group counseling and psychotherapy, outreach programming, workshops, crisis intervention, campus consultation, and referral to off-campus resources.  

Michael Davis, Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, joined NJIT in July 2021 and is responsible for the overall management and strategic planning for NJIT’s social and professional fraternities and sororities, including all members of the Fraternity and Sorority Life Council (FSLC), Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Panhellenic Council (Panhellenic), Professional Fraternity Council (PFC), and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC). In coordination with the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Michael also will provide oversight to policy development and implementation, educational opportunities, and compliance with university regulations, state and local ordinances.

Briana Trotty, Residence Coordinator, joined NJIT in August 2021 and is responsible for the day-to-day operations, activities, and services for students living in Oak Hall. She also supervises Resident Assistants and advises the community’s Hall Council.

In closing, I am looking forward to an exciting year as we embrace the new normal, stay safe, and begin the journey of learning. I welcome your feedback, so please do not hesitate to send me an email with your thoughts, questions, or concerns. 

Welcome home!

 

Dr. Marybeth Boger

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

COVID-19 Code of Student Conduct Rules and Regulations Requirements/Guidelines for Students

REPORT a COVID-19 Non-Compliance Violation here

Student Compliance Guidelines

With the ongoing pandemic happening across the world and within our nation, the health, wellbeing and safety of our students, staff and faculty at NJIT is paramount.  As a community member of NJIT, we have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of all members by behaving in a manner that reflects and embodies our core values of integrity, civility and social responsibility. All students should take very seriously the responsibility of preventing and limiting the spread of COVID-19, and abide by the directives provided by the institution.

For the most current Pandemic Recovery information, please visit the Pandemic Recovery website

To this end, the following guidelines have been put in place for instructional spaces and it is extremely important that these guidelines are followed at all times:

Face Masks - “Your mask may protect them. Their mask may protect you”

  • The university has provided two face masks coverings at no cost to students, staff, and faculty. You can also wear your own. It is a mandatory directive that all students, faculty, and staff wear face masks/coverings in classrooms and in any common campus areas where people congregate. The masks must cover the nose, mouth and chin. 
  • Recommended protective face masks are encouraged outdoors especially where physical distancing is not possible.
  • Face coverings with exhalation valves or vents are not effective and therefore not acceptable. 
  • A face shield may be added to a face covering for additional protection but is not considered an effective alternative.

Classroom Instruction

  • Instructors are expected to ensure compliance with the face covering directive and other protocols as directed by the university such as physical distancing in their learning spaces. The requirement that students wear a face covering in classrooms should be reinforced by each instructor in their course syllabus and articulated at the first class and afterwards.
  • Instructors may ask students who are out of compliance with the face covering requirement to leave class and attend remotely. **Repeat infractions or uncooperative individuals should be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students and/or Public Safety.
  • Students must always use the designated seats for that class period (red or blue), and classrooms will be cleaned before any seat is reused to ensure students always sit at a clean desk.

Social Gatherings

  • Student organization summer events and gatherings must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Student Life.  For the most updated policies regarding student organization events and campus gatherings, visit the Office of Student Life website. 
  • Failure to comply with NJIT guidelines may result in individual and/or organization sanctions.  Student clubs, orgs and individual students allegedly violating the guidelines will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students and/or Public Safety for possible adjudication..

The Office of the Dean of Students with oversight over Student Conduct and Academic Integrity hopes that there will be absolute compliance from our student community regarding the guidelines for limiting the spread of COVID-19. However, should students not observe or adhere to the new behavioral guidelines stipulated, once it is reported as a violation of the Rules and Regulations Requirement as is outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, the violators will be adjudicated accordingly.

Faculty Response Guidelines 

  • Because of the current conditions, all instructors and students are required to wear a mask in all instructional spaces (classrooms, labs, studios). Students failing to observe the mandate should be first asked by the instructor to either comply or leave the classroom; if students do not obey, instructors should be contacting public safety. Public Safety staff will be escorting students outside the instructional area and reporting them to the Office of The Dean of Students for disciplinary action.
     

NJIT Return to Campus Module

It is required that ALL students (graduate and Undergraduate complete the NJIT Return to Campus COVID-19 Safety Module: What I need to know and do which can be accessed on Canvas.

The Code of Student Conduct policies can be viewed online here