Pandemic Recovery Update - October 12, 2021

Good afternoon, Highlanders!

For just over a month, we have been enjoying a return to in person instruction, collaborating in research labs, and coming together as a community for events like homecoming this past weekend. Recent national trends show reduction in new COVID-19 cases, a good sign for things to come. However, we need to remain vigilant and follow established protocols that will help us continue our successful semester start.

Below is a reminder of some COVID-19 protocols that are in place:

COURSE MODALITY CHANGES

Classes have to be offered in the modality shown on the official university schedule and cannot be changed without proper authorization. Instructors cannot poll their students about changing the modality of the course. The modality of the course can be temporarily changed to accommodate circumstances such as faculty absence, but this requires pre approval by the appropriate chair/dean.

All classes must meet at their scheduled time and location, and should last for their entire scheduled duration. Classes must not be canceled without the consent of the chair/dean, and no classes should be scheduled during the university common hours. The Provost must approve any use of the common hour for classes. Any changes in the designated location, date, and time of any class may be made only in consultation with the Registrar’s Office and with approval of the chair/dean.

NOTIFICATION OF A POSITIVE TEST AND CONTACT TRACING

In the event you contract and test positive for COVID-19 or if you have come into close contact with someone who tested positive outside of the NJIT campus, it is vital that you alert Campus Health Services at covid.notify@njit.edu so that the necessary steps can be taken to notify, test and/or quarantine or isolate your fellow Highlanders who may have been close contacts. Please do not assume your professor or supervisor made a notification for you, as it is your responsibility to make this notification in a timely manner.

Whether in the classroom, dining hall or residence hall, you may be in close contact with your friends and other students. Knowing who the people around you are in such settings will facilitate contact tracing. Campus Health Services will notify those who have been identified as close contacts of COVID-19 positive individuals at NJIT. If you do not hear from Campus Health Services, this means you are not considered a close contact and are not required to quarantine, isolate or get tested for COVID-19.

MASKS ARE MANDATORY

Regardless of your vaccination status, masks are required for faculty, staff, students, and visitors whenever inside any NJIT facility. These masks must be form fitting and exclude bandanas, face shields, and single layer cloth gaiters. Cloth masks should have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric. Masks must completely cover your nose and mouth and fit snugly against the side of your face, without gaps. Surgical style or KN95 masks should have a nose wire to help prevent air from escaping out of the top of the mask. Masks should not have exhalation valves.

Masks may be temporarily removed when actively eating or drinking. In addition, they are not required in private offices or workstations where physical barriers are present and 6’ of distance can be maintained. If someone enters your office or approaches your workstation, both parties should don a mask.

If you see an individual not properly wearing their mask inside buildings, you have the following options:

• Politely ask them to properly wear a mask per the NJIT policy;

• Contact Public Safety at the non-emergency number of 973-596-3120;

• For students, contact the Dean of Students Office at 973-596-3466;

• For employees, contact Human Resources at 973-596-3140;

• As always, if an emergent situation exists, contact Public Safety by dialing 9-1-1 and stating your location as NJIT.

VARIABLES FOR OPERATIONAL CHANGE CONSIDERATION

NJIT has established revised variables for operational change consideration for the Fall 2021 semester. Currently, NJIT is in the “Low-Moderate” risk category and is operating as such.

Variables will be considered holistically and in the context of local and regional circumstances. The variables are guides for decision-making, not formal triggers or binary choices. Similarly, responses will be implemented as appropriate within the current context. Some will be phased in as we approach the corresponding risk level. Others may not be deemed consistent with actual circumstances. In short, the risk levels and responses are not all-or-nothing choices. With campus safety paramount, context, conditions, and this framework will guide decisions.

We encourage anyone with additional questions or concerns to visit the Pandemic Recovery webpage. This dynamic site is updated as new information becomes available. Our FAQs are available to help answer the most common questions. Please use this resource in between our regular updates to the NJIT community.

Regards,

Andrew P. Christ, PE
Senior Vice President
Real Estate Development and Capital Operations
Co-Chair, Pandemic Recovery Steering Committee