Pandemic Recovery at NJIT

NJIT Community Members,

As NJIT moves toward a resumption of normal campus activities in Fall 2021, it is essential to do so within a framework that promotes a vibrant community while ensuring a safe and meaningful on-campus experience for all. At each milestone, the Pandemic Recovery Steering Committee will provide expectations and guidelines for the resumption of different aspects of our working lives, guiding our return to campus. We continue to rely on the three pillars of the Pandemic Recovery Plan--adherence to governmental mandates, reliance on guidance of health experts and agencies, and our own collective informed judgment--and we apply these principles to safely bring our community back together. 

The guidance for our Return to Campus milestone of 100% minimum expected presence on campus as of August 2, 2021, is outlined below. The pandemic brought many challenges and concerns, and as we begin to emerge from it, we will face new challenges, stresses, and anxieties. With that in mind, and in the interest of promoting a healthy campus, we have included some self-care resources in the guidance below. 

Providing Self-care

• Take a moment to care for yourself by accessing the following resources:
  • Meditation in Minutes, a series of short videos to promote relaxation and improve your ability to focus. Simply register by providing your name and NJIT email address:
    • A Moment of Happiness
    • A Vacation From Work
    • Clear Your Mind, Improve Your Focus
  • Take a health and wellness 30-day challenge. 
  • Build resilience. Participate in a 30-minute resiliency session. This program will provide you with tools to focus on the positive rather than the negative. A separate announcement will be sent with details regarding dates, times, and location. 
  • For Employees: All NJIT employees can take advantage of health and wellness resources from NJ WELL:
    • Rewards program 
    • Healthy Living Publication Library
    • Webinar sessions 
  • For students: Check out the well-being resources specifically for students on the Aetna website and available for all students. Students who are enrolled in the School Aetna Health Insurance Plan have access to additional health and wellness resources found here. 

Guidance for In-person Interactions on Campus

• Social distancing and indoor gathering limits are no longer required, as outlined in Executive Order 242. 
• Face coverings are optional for fully vaccinated individuals.
  • Individuals who receive vaccination exemptions or otherwise remain unvaccinated must continue to wear masks.
  • Face coverings continue to provide an added level of protection against the virus and the emerging variants.
  • Individuals who are not required but would like to wear a mask are encouraged to do so. 
  • Those who wear face coverings should not be questioned as to why they are doing so. 
  • Visitors are permitted and encouraged to wear masks if unvaccinated The host must communicate these requirements to their guest(s).

In-person Work Activities

• In-person meetings can resume.
• Conference rooms can be used at full capacity.

Providing for the Needs of the Larger In-person Campus Community

• The following dining facilities are open:
  • Village Market 
  • Forte Pizza 
  • University Club
  • C-Store 
  • Online ordering also is available through the GDS app.
  • Off campus dining is available through:
    • Giordano’s pizza (Central Ave)
    • Subway (Lock Street)
    • YaYa Tea (Lock Street)
    • Playa Bowls (Bleeker Street)
    • McGovern’s Pub (New Street)
    • Robert’s Pizza (University Ave)
    • La Cocina (New Street)
    • 9 Thai Cuisine (New Street)
• NJIT Campus Bookstore operations will return to pre-covid status on July 28, 2021. 
  • Summer hours through July 30 will remain from 10 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday. 
  • August and Fall semester hours will be posted on the bookstore website. 
  • Students are encouraged to order Fall books early online at https://www.bkstr.com/njitstore/home and to pick up their order at the bookstore. 
• Library services have returned to pre-covid operations. 
• Research labs will operate at full capacity:
  • Lab workers should consult NJIT's revised and recently distributed Chemical Hygiene Guide for a summary of laboratory safety guidelines and requirements.
  • Appropriate laboratory attire and PPE are required when working in the lab, including during the summer months (shorts and ope-toe shoes are prohibited).
  • Please visit the EHS website at https://www.njit.edu/environmentalsafety/ to review EHS programs and policies and contact EHS at healthandsafety@njit.edu with specific questions or concerns.
• Common area furniture has been returned to pre-pandemic locations to promote normal social interactions and gathering practices.
• Break out rooms are open with no occupancy restrictions.
• Lavatories are open to full capacity.
• Flushing and testing of water fountains  is complete, and those with a green sign have been returned to service.

Identifying Innovations Developed During the Pandemic that Promote the Educational Community

• Counseling services will continue to provide a virtual option, but will have in-person appointments available.
• Additional innovations will be examined for alignment with the goals and objectives of NJIT 2025: Building on a Strong Foundation.

Promote In-person Social Activities to Jumpstart a Vibrant Educational Community

• A staff “Welcome Back Social” will be held on August 25. Details will be shared by Strategic Events and Conference Services shortly. 
• The WEC Fitness Center, including access to locker rooms, is now open, based on staff availability. 
• Travel approval will follow the NJIT travel policy.

We will continue to use the three pillars of our plan--adherence to governmental mandates, reliance on guidance of health experts and agencies, and our own collective informed judgement--to monitor conditions locally and globally and react accordingly.

The Pandemic Recovery Steering Committee thanks each and every member of the NJIT community for their cooperation and support during this extremely difficult time. Whether you remained on campus throughout the pandemic or fulfilled your responsibilities by working remotely, together we kept our campus safe and minimized the impact on our community. 

Regards,

Andrew P. Christ, PE
Senior Vice President
Real Estate Development and Capital Operations