Resuming a Vibrant Campus Community 70% Return to Campus Milestone (June 28, 2021)

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 will 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 apply these principles to safely bring our community back together. The guidance for our Return to Campus milestone of 70% minimum expected presence on campus is outlined below:

Guidance for in-person interactions on campus

• Social distancing is no longer required as outlined in Executive Order 242
• Indoor gathering limits have been lifted and events may resume
• Masks are no longer required indoors for fully vaccinated individuals
• Individuals who receive vaccination exemptions or otherwise remain unvaccinated must continue to wear masks
• Visitors are permitted and encouraged to wear masks if unvaccinated
  • The host must communicate these requirements to their guest(s)

Provide for the needs of the larger in-person campus community

• The following dining facilities are open:
  • Village Market
  • Forte Pizza
  • University Club

• Online ordering is also 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 operations on July 28, 2021
  • Summer hours are 10 am - 2 pm, Mon through Fri through July 30
  • August and Fall semester hours will be posted on the bookstore website
  • Students are encouraged to order fall books early online 
  • Pick up should be scheduled at the bookstore 

• Library services will return to pre-covid operations and no longer provide curbside pickup
• Research labs will operate at full capacity
• Common area furniture will be returned to pre-pandemic locations to promote normal social interactions and gathering practices
• Break out rooms will be open with no occupancy restrictions
• Lavatories will return to full capacity
• Water fountains will return to use (once flushing/testing is completed)
• Travel approval will follow the NJIT travel policy
• In-person work activities
  • In-person meetings can resume
  • Conference rooms can be used at full capacity
  • Virtual meetings are encouraged between employees working remotely and those on campus until we reach our 100% milestone on August 2
  • Reserve a converged classroom for hybrid meetings
  • Plexiglass barriers will remain in place, unless specifically requested to be removed, which can be done through the maintenance work request system

Promote in-person social activities to jumpstart a vibrant educational community

• A staff “Welcome Back Social” will be held. Details will be shared in the near future
• The WEC Fitness Center will reopen based on staff availability.
  • Locker rooms will open for use on July 2

Identify 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

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the members of the Pandemic Recovery Steering Committee for additional information based on the area of responsibility. 

Sincerely,

Andrew P. Christ, PE

Senior Vice President

Real Estate Development and Capital Operations