Dear Drew community,

Now that the semester is underway, we wanted to remind you of our health and COVID-19 protocols for the semester. We are following CDC guidelines for those who test positive for COVID-19 and for those who have been exposed, so please make yourselves familiar with them. You can also refer to the Health Service website for additional information. To review:

Isolation: Students who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 full days after the onset of symptoms, either at home; in designated isolation housing on campus; or in your assigned dorm room per guidance from the Health Service and Residence Life. You may leave isolation on day 6 if you are fever-free and symptoms are improving. You must wear a mask when around others for an additional 5 days.

Exposure to COVID-19: Quarantine is NOT required after exposure, regardless of vaccination status. You should wear a mask for 10 days; monitor symptoms for 10 days; and get tested at least 5 days after your most recent exposure (sooner if you develop symptoms). If you develop symptoms at any time within the 10-day period, stay away from others and get tested as soon as possible.

Reporting a positive test result: Students who test positive for COVID-19 with a self home test or at an off-campus location should notify the Health Service promptly (health@drew.edu or 973-408-3414). If you receive a positive test result when the Health Service is closed, you should also notify Residence Life staff so you can be moved to an isolation room if applicable.

The Health Service will verify dates for students in isolation, and the Dean’s office will conduct faculty notification of absences. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Health Service if they feel they do not meet criteria to leave isolation on day 6.

Masks: Although there is no mask mandate on campus at this time, masks should be worn in the following situations: 1) If you have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19; 2) on days 6-10 after testing positive for COVID-19 and leaving the 5-day isolation; and 3) whenever entering the Health Service. Also consider wearing a mask when ill with any respiratory virus.

Flu: While it seems early to think about the flu, we would like to be prepared for a possible early flu season! The Health Service will be holding our first flu vaccine clinic on Thursday, September 22 from 12-2pm in the Commons Concourse. No appointment necessary, open to all Drew students, faculty, and staff. Additional flu clinics will be added and announced in Drew Today and Drew This Week.

As much as we would like to put COVID-19 behind us, it is here to stay and we need to remain diligent about taking necessary precautions as we move forward. Let’s all continue to work together to keep our campus safe and healthy.

Thank you and be well,

Health Service

Dear Drew community,

We are excited to welcome back our students for the fall 2022 semester. While we have successfully navigated several in-person semesters amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we continue to remain vigilant as a community. All health and safety protocols outlined below are subject to change per local, state, and federal guidance, or campus conditions, at the discretion of the University. Any updates will be communicated to the Drew community.

Testing

• Pre-arrival/Arrival: There will not be mandatory pre-arrival testing prior to students reporting to campus. However, students are encouraged to test before coming to campus. If positive, students should follow isolation protocols, outlined below, and report the positive result to the Health Service. Negative test results do not need to be reported.

• Surveillance: There will not be weekly surveillance testing throughout the semester, regardless of vaccination status. Accordingly, the University will suspend use of the COVID-19 dashboard.

• Symptomatic: The Health Service will continue to perform diagnostic testing for students with symptoms or for those exposed throughout the semester. Employees who are symptomatic are encouraged to test themselves.

Reporting Positive Results

• Students: If you test positive at any point during the semester, you must notify the Health Service, which will provide isolation instructions and support.

• Employees: If you test positive at any point during the semester, you must notify your direct supervisor and Human Resources at humres@drew.edu.

If positive, students and employees must isolate for at least five days and are able to leave isolation on day six if fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications, and symptoms have mostly resolved. On days six through 10, the positive case must remain fully masked and not eat or drink with others.

• Residential students may isolate in designated spaces on campus or go home to isolate. Students with single rooms may isolate themselves in their assigned rooms. Information on meals will be provided.

• Positive student cases will receive isolation instructions and support, including health check-ins.

Masks

Masks will not be mandated on campus, including indoor locations, with the exception of the Health Service.

Faculty, staff, and student conveners may require masks to be worn at their discretion in their classroom, lab, office, or event location. Conveners must notify students of a mask requirement in advance, and students are required to comply with any such direction.

Vaccination

All students, faculty, and staff must be in compliance with the University vaccine policy and booster mandate, which requires all individuals to be up to date with vaccinations against COVID-19—defined as having received a primary series of the vaccine and a subsequent booster—unless they have received approval for an exemption based on legitimate medical reasons or sincerely-held religious beliefs. Those who are eligible to receive a second booster are encouraged to do so.

Contact Tracing

Positive student or employee cases will be responsible for notifying their own close contacts. Instructions will be provided. The CDC defines a close contact as anyone within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes during a 24-hour period. The Health Service will follow up with any positive student cases.

Exempt unvaccinated or non-boosted close contacts should stay home and quarantine for five days if identified as a close contact to a positive case. Regardless of vaccination status, close contacts should wear a mask for 10 days, monitor symptoms, and get tested at least five days after exposure. Positive cases must follow proper reporting protocols.

We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and look forward to seeing a full campus in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Frank Merckx

Vice President for Enrollment Management and Campus Life

Dear Drew community,

In accordance with recent updates to local, regional, and federal COVID-19 health and safety guidance and guidelines, Drew University has made the following changes to on-campus health and safety protocols, effective immediately.

Masks

Individuals, regardless of vaccination status, will no longer be required to wear masks in most on-campus locations.

Masks will continue to be required in the Health Service and as part of quarantine and isolation protocols, including by those who are identified as close contacts. Those who are experiencing any symptoms of a respiratory illness are also strongly encouraged to wear a mask.

The official convener of an individual class, lab, gathering, or meeting—whether it be a faculty or staff member—will be able to require that participants wear a mask. Students who are convening gatherings or student meetings may also require participants to wear a mask.

In instances of one-on-one meetings, either party may request that a mask be worn. If this is not acceptable to both parties, an alternative arrangement (e.g., a Zoom meeting) should be made.

While masks are no longer a requirement, the University wholeheartedly supports anyone who continues to wear a mask for any reason. We are instituting this policy change with the expectation that all members of the Drew community will be understanding of individual situations and choices.

The University reserves the right to reinstate a mask requirement should a need arise due to guidance or on-campus conditions.

Testing

Unvaccinated students and employees will no longer be required to take part in weekly surveillance testing.

The Health Service will still test students experiencing symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, conduct contact tracing, and follow quarantine and isolation protocols.

Unvaccinated NCAA Athletes and others required by protocol will continue to be tested per guidelines.

Boosters

The University’s booster mandate remains in effect. All unexempt members of the Drew community must receive and upload copies of their boosters by March 31, 2022. Students can upload a copy to their health portal and employees can upload theirs here.

Our vaccination and booster policy remains the strongest tool in preventing significant illness and severe impacts of COVID-19. Follow-up will occur with all employees and students who are not compliant with the University vaccine mandates, including the booster requirement. For students, this could include having a hold placed on their account prior to registration.

Thank you all for your continued flexibility and understanding.

Sincerely,

Status of Campus Operations Committee

Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff & Dean of Administration

Stuart Dezenhall, Director of Strategic Communications & Content

Joan Galbraith, MSN, APN-C, Director, Health Services

Ryan Hinrichs, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies

Roger Knowles, Professor and Department Chair, Biology

Jessica Lakin, Provost

Frank Merckx, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Campus Life

Dear Drew community,

As local, regional, and federal COVID-19 health and safety guidance and guidelines change, we want to set expectations for the remainder of the semester regarding our on-campus protocols. The University mask policy will continue to be in effect at least through spring break, scheduled for March 7-11. During the week of spring break, the University will determine if a change to the current mask policy is warranted. We will communicate any changes to the Drew community at that time.

As a reminder, all individuals can report mask policy violations via the LiveSafe app.

Thank you for your continued patience and vigilance as we navigate this evolving situation.

Sincerely,

Status of Campus Operations Committee

Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff & Dean of Administration

Stuart Dezenhall, Director of Strategic Communications & Content

Joan Galbraith, MSN, APN-C, Director, Health Services

Ryan Hinrichs, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies

Roger Knowles, Professor and Department Chair, Biology

Jessica Lakin, Provost

Frank Merckx, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Campus Life

Dear Drew community,

We would like to share the following updates regarding classes for the spring 2022 semester, having received encouraging results from our arrival testing protocols.

• College of Liberal Arts classes will be held in person starting Monday, January 24.

• Caspersen School of Graduate Studies courses in data analytics, finance, and teacher education will also resume meeting in person this coming Monday, while medical and health humanities, arts and letters, history and culture, and conflict resolution courses will remain virtual until Monday, February 7.

• Drew Theological School courses will remain virtual until Monday, February 7.

Given the impending return to in-person classes for the majority of our students, we have also included an early update to our COVID-19 Dashboard.

• This week’s protocols, which have included arrival and symptomatic testing, have yielded nine positive results out of 527 total tests thus far. There are nine active cases currently in isolation—six on campus and three at home.

Though the bulk of the University’s courses will meet in person starting on Monday, we will remain in Campus Alert Level Yellow (Medium) as a precaution until otherwise communicated given high local transmission rates. This alert level allows for virtual/in-person pivots for COVID-19-related disruptions to individual classes, activities, or events. Any such changes will be communicated by the appropriate party.

Please remain vigilant in following all campus health and safety protocols, including the wearing of masks. We strongly encourage all members of the on-campus community to use disposable/surgical masks or N95s/KN95s. There is evidence that cloth masks may not work as well against the Omicron variant. Proper mask wearing on campus will be enforced and you may be asked to leave campus buildings or events if you are not wearing a mask properly. Disposable/surgical masks can be found at various locations throughout campus.

Thank you.

Status of Campus Operations Committee

Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff & Dean of Administration

Stuart Dezenhall, Director of Strategic Communications & Content

Joan Galbraith, MSN, APN-C, Director, Health Services

Ryan Hinrichs, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies

Roger Knowles, Professor and Department Chair, Biology

Jessica Lakin, Provost

Frank Merckx, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Campus Life

Dear Drew community,

As a reminder, Drew will be hosting a COVID-19 booster clinic on campus this Friday, January 21, from 11:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m. in Crawford Hall located in the Ehinger Center.

While walk-ins will be accepted, you can also confirm your intent and preferred time by completing this sign-up form.

All participants must be a minimum of five months out from the Pfizer or Moderna second dose or two months out from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Participants must bring health insurance information and a government-issued ID for the check-in process as well as their COVID-19 vaccination card.

After receiving your booster, please remember to upload your information to the appropriate place. Students: upload to your health portal; employees: upload here.

Questions? Please contact us at stuaff@drew.edu.

Thank you,

Campus Life and Student Affairs

Dear Drew community,

We hope everyone is having a nice start to the new year.

We are looking forward to a robust, in-person spring 2022 semester, but we are also continuing to closely monitor the increased spread of COVID-19 locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. The University is committed to providing a safe and welcoming learning, living, and working environment for the entire Drew community. With this priority in mind, we have made the following decisions related to campus operations. As always, these may be adjusted at any time, depending on a change in conditions or local, state, or federal guidance.

Classes

As of this writing, we plan to have the first three days of classes of the spring 2022 semester—Wednesday, January 19, through Friday, January 21—meet in a virtual format for all three schools. All classes will meet remotely at their regularly scheduled times. Students will receive emails from their course instructors with instructions and Zoom links prior to the start of classes.

These three days of virtual learning do not change the check-in and move-in dates for residential students, who we expect to move in no later than Tuesday, January 18. We have opened the residence halls early for those who wish to come earlier.

For the undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts, we will begin in-person classes on Monday, January 24. We will have to continue to be flexible throughout the entire semester, but particularly at the beginning; it’s possible that some courses may have to temporarily pivot to virtual instruction due to COVID-19 disruptions.

Graduate students in both the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies and the Theological School will receive information directly from their respective Dean’s Offices before classes begin about instructional modalities after Friday, January 21.  

Testing

• Pre-arrival: We strongly encourage students to get a COVID-19 test prior to arriving on campus, although it is not mandatory. If you test positive prior to returning to campus, please remain off campus until your isolation period is complete and upload a copy of your positive test to your student health portal. If you are ill or experiencing symptoms, do not come to campus until you are tested.
• Arrival: All residential students, regardless of vaccination/booster status, will be required to take a COVID-19 test upon arriving on campus.
  • Returning residential students must check in at the Ehinger Center to take their arrival test prior to returning to their residence hall. All returning students must schedule their check-in/move-in time here. Arriving outside of the check-in times is not permitted as testing is only available during the posted hours. Those traveling from outside the region who have transportation tickets already purchased can inform the Office of Residence Life at reslife@drew.edu about any need for alternative check-in arrangements.
    • Arrival testing and check-in hours in the Ehinger Center are as follows:
      • Friday, January 14: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
      • Saturday, January 15: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
      • Sunday, January 16: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
      • Monday, January 17: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
      • Tuesday, January 18: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days are exempt from arrival testing. If you had a positive test outside the Health Service, please upload a copy of your positive test to your student health portal. You must still schedule a move-in appointment, even though you do not need to complete arrival testing.
  • Commuter students are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test prior to the first day of in-person classes. You are welcome to test on campus during the times listed above.
  • Students who test positive during arrival testing and are able to return home will be strongly encouraged to do so.
• Surveillance: All exempt, unvaccinated students who have not tested positive in the prior 90 days will continue to test weekly during the semester. Exempt, unvaccinated employees will continue to test weekly on their own and submit results. 
• Symptomatic: All students, regardless of vaccination status, will be tested by the Health Service if they report symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. All faculty and staff who exhibit symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or are deemed a close contact should contact their health care provider for testing and evaluation, and report any positive tests to HR and their supervisor. For the health of our community, we encourage anyone who is not feeling well to get tested.

Quarantine and Isolation

The CDC has recently updated guidance regarding quarantine and isolation. Individuals’ boosted status will play a role in the length of time that they will need to quarantine, so we encourage everyone to get boosted as quickly as possible.

According to the CDC’s current guidance, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, should isolate for five days. They can leave isolation on the sixth day as long as they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and symptoms have mostly resolved. Individuals in this situation must remain masked for five additional days.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated and boosted and are close contacts will not need to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19. They must wear a mask for 10 days and test for COVID-19 five days after their exposure. Students can test in the Health Center and employees can test off campus at the most convenient location to them. Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days of exposure and remain without symptoms do not have to quarantine or get tested; however, they should wear a mask for 10 days after the date of exposure.

Individuals identified as close contacts who are not fully vaccinated and boosted must quarantine for five days and test five days after their exposure.

Masks

The fall 2021 semester protocols for face coverings will remain in effect for spring 2022. Accordingly, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a face covering when in an indoor public location on campus, except when actively eating or drinking. Mask protocols can be reviewed in greater detail here.

Dining

Dining will follow the fall 2021 procedures, with both in-person and grab-and-go options available in certain locations. As is outlined in the mask mandate, all individuals in a dining location must be masked unless they are actively eating or drinking.

Booster Mandate

As was communicated in an email last month, all students, faculty, staff, and contract workers are required to receive a COVID-19 booster as soon as possible, and no later than March 31, 2022. Students can upload a copy of their vaccination cards to their student health portal, and employees can upload their copy here.

We are actively pursuing the opportunity to have a booster clinic on campus around the time students arrive back on campus and will share details when confirmed.

Thank you all for your continued adherence to these health and safety measures, and flexibility during this pandemic – it has allowed us to continue to thrive as a campus community and deliver the robust, meaningful education for which Drew is known. We look forward to having everyone back on campus in the coming days and weeks.

Sincerely,

Open Campus Task Force

Dear Drew community,

Due to the increased transmission of COVID-19 in the region; the continued spread of the Delta and Omicron variants across the globe; and the CDC having approved COVID-19 booster shots for everyone ages 16 and older, Drew University has decided to require all students, faculty, staff, and contract workers to receive a COVID-19 booster as soon as possible, and no later than March 31, 2022. This deadline is six months from when most faculty and staff were required to be fully vaccinated, making most non-exempt individuals eligible for their boosters within this window. 

COVID-19 Booster Info, Eligibility, and Availability

As noted in last week’s email from the Health Service, boosters are intended to provide added protection against COVID-19 as the initial vaccines’ effectiveness can wane over time.

Individuals are eligible to receive their boosters six months after completing the initial series of a two-dose vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) and two months after receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Individuals do not need to get the same vaccine for their booster as they received in the initial series.

The vaccine is available at many local pharmacies. Click here to find a convenient location near you.

The University will work directly with students and employees who are not yet eligible for their booster by the March 31 deadline to provide appropriate extensions.

Submitting Proof of Vaccination

Students – If you have already received your booster, you can upload a copy of your vaccination card to your student health portal. As a reminder, images must be submitted in an approved format to upload successfully (e.g., Apple’s .heic documents must be converted to a .jpg or other accepted format, etc.); also be sure your name and date of birth are included on the document.  

Employees – All faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, temporary employees, and independent contractors working on campus can upload a copy here.

Exemptions

Individuals who have already been exempted from the original vaccine mandate for legitimate medical or sincerely-held religious beliefs will not need to reapply for an exemption, as the original exemption was granted for a year. Testing requirements will be distributed to exempt members of our community prior to their return for the spring 2022 semester.

Arrival Testing

The University is planning to test all students, vaccinated and exempt, at the beginning of the spring 2022 semester. Additional information will be sent after January 1, 2022.

We thank you for your continued cooperation as we work together to keep the health and safety of the Drew and local communities as a primary focus.

Sincerely, 

Thomas J. Schwarz

Dear Drew community,

As we near the end of the semester, we remind you to please remain vigilant with mask wearing in indoor spaces on campus. We recognize that some of our campus policies may look different from those you see in the local community. This is in part due to the realities of living and working on a college campus. Please wear your mask properly, ensuring it covers your nose and mouth, so we continue to keep our community healthy.

As a reminder:

• All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a face covering when in an indoor public location on campus except when actively eating or drinking. If you have finished your meal or beverage, you should put your face covering back on while you enjoy your conversation, studying, or other activities.

• Fully vaccinated students may remove their face coverings in residence halls. Students who received a medical or religious exemption may only remove face coverings in their own residence hall room.

• Individuals alone in an office may remove their face covering, but should wear face coverings when others are present.

• Masks are required in all classrooms and in all off-campus class meeting locations, such as those that are a part of nycTRECs or field trips.

• Masks are required at all indoor activities, regardless of the building – this includes all athletic events in the Simon Forum and Baldwin Gym (excluding NCAA athletes engaged in competition). Those who do not follow required masking will be asked to leave.

These policies will remain in place until further communication. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation.

Status of Campus Operations Committee

Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff & Dean of Administration

Stuart Dezenhall, Director of Strategic Communications & Content
Joan Galbraith, MSN, APN-C, Director, Health Services

Roger Knowles, Professor and Department Chair, Biology

Jessica Lakin, Provost

Frank Merckx, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Campus Life

Dear Drew community,

With the ongoing concerns about COVID-19 transmission, our campus mask mandate protocols will be extended until further notice. Please remember to wear your masks correctly for the health of the Drew and Madison communities.

As a reminder:

• All individuals are required to wear a face covering when in an indoor public location on campus regardless of vaccination status, except when actively eating or drinking.

• Fully vaccinated students may remove their face coverings in residence halls. Students who received a medical or religious exemption may only remove face coverings in their own residence hall room.

• Individuals alone in an office may remove their face covering, but should wear face coverings when others are present.

• Masks are required in all classrooms and in all off-campus class meeting locations, such as those that are a part of nycTRECs or field trips.

With appreciation for your diligence,

Status of Campus Operations Committee

Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff & Dean of Administration

Stuart Dezenhall, Director of Strategic Communications & Content

Joan Galbraith, MSN, APN-C, Director, Health Services

Roger Knowles, Professor and Department Chair, Biology

Jessica Lakin, Provost

Frank Merckx, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Campus Life

Dear students,

The fall semester is underway, and we are happy to welcome you back to campus! While everyone is excited to be together again, being in close proximity while we share living, learning, and social  spaces reminds us of the importance of taking measures to keep ourselves and others around us healthy. Here are some important reminders as we start the semester:

• Wash your hands. This is one of the single most important measures to prevent the spread of  illness. Wash your hands often, and especially during these key times when you are most likely to get and spread germs:

  • Before, during, and after preparing food

  • Before and after eating food

  • Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

  • Before and after treating a cut or wound

  • After using the toilet

  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

  • After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

  • After handling pet food or pet treats

  • After touching garbage

• Stay home if you are sick. Do not go to class or work if you have symptoms of illness including fever, cough, vomiting or diarrhea. Contact the Health Service or your healthcare provider for advice.
• Don’t share personal items (water bottles, eating utensils, etc.) with others.
• Get a flu shot. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu shot annually. Flu shots are available at the Health Service, and our first flu clinic will be held on Tuesday, September 28 from 12-2 p.m. in the Space (located in the EC). Watch for details in Drew Today.
• Keep yourself healthy by getting enough rest and sleep; drinking plenty of fluids; eating nutritious foods; and getting fresh air and regular exercise.

Please visit the Health Service website for more information about our hours and services.

Have a healthy semester!

Drew University Health Service

Dear Drew community,

On Monday, August 23, the Food and Drug Administration announced the full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. This news, combined with the “high” transmission rate of the Delta variant in all New Jersey counties, has prompted our decision to require full vaccination for all faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, temporary employees, and independent contractors working on Drew’s campus by October 15, 2021. An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine, or two weeks after receiving a one-dose vaccine. Though our employee vaccination rate is close to 95%, we believe that further limiting the pool of unvaccinated individuals will improve the health of everyone on campus.

Employees who are not vaccinated may seek an exemption from the vaccine requirement for legitimate medical or sincerely held religious beliefs. Please closely read the vaccination requirements and deadlines below based on your current status.

New Employees

If you have not yet completed the Drew University COVID Vaccination Information Form, please do so this week. Then follow the instructions below based on your vaccination status.

Fully Vaccinated Employees

If you are fully vaccinated and have submitted your vaccination record via the Drew University COVID Vaccination Information Form, no further action is required. 

Independent Contractors

Contract workers must have their vaccination status verified by their employer with confirmation sent to their Drew University supervisor. Contract workers may seek a medical or religious exemption, and if approved, must follow the testing protocol described below. 

Employees Currently Unvaccinated or Seeking an Exemption

Employees not yet vaccinated or seeking a medical or religious exemption must: 

1. Receive their first vaccine dose of Pfizer or Moderna, the single dose of J&J/Janssen, or have requested an exemption by Friday, September 10. Exemption forms are available here and on the HR website.
   
2. Fully complete their vaccination series or have an approved exemption by Friday, October 15.
   
3. Follow campus health and safety guidelines, including wearing a face covering indoors and physically distance from others (where possible), as well as participate in weekly off-campus COVID testing, at your personal expense, until such time that you are fully vaccinated. Beginning August 30, negative test results must be uploaded every Monday morning prior to reporting to campus using this Google Form.
   

Thank you for your cooperation and adherence to the new vaccine mandate. As always, the safety of our community is paramount, and drives our planning and decision making for the semester ahead. 

Sincerely, 

Tom Schwarz

Dear Drew community,

We are excited to usher in another academic year at Drew University, and are so happy to see students returning to campus!

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise and uncertainty about the pandemic lingers, we wanted to outline the health and safety protocols currently in place on campus, to both alleviate worry and set expectations.

We are learning more about the Delta variant each day. We now know that vaccinated individuals can become ill with the Delta variant and transmit the disease, which is a special risk for those who have children or immunocompromised family members at home. Our plans reflect our concern for our community members and their families. Please be sure to carefully review the section on masks below, as it has been updated since our recent communication.

Vaccine Requirement

Students: In April, Drew announced a policy requiring all students planning to be on campus for the 2021-22 academic year to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at least two weeks prior to moving into their residence hall, or August 13 for commuter students. This policy remains in effect, and more information, as well as FAQs, can be found here. Requests for exemptions for medical or religious reasons are being considered on a case-by-case basis. Less than 5% of the student body have been approved for exemptions.

Throughout the summer, the University has worked diligently in assisting international students previously unable to get the vaccine in making their safe return to campus. 

Faculty and Staff: Over the summer, faculty and staff were asked to complete a vaccine information form to share their COVID-19 vaccine status or intention. We are very pleased that nearly 95% of our faculty, staff, and contractors have been vaccinated. Because of this very high rate of vaccination, at this time we are continuing to strongly encourage but not mandate the vaccine for most employees. Athletics, Health Services, and Residence Life staff are all required to get the vaccine.

Ensuring that all campus community members are vaccinated protects all members of our community, including those who may be unable to get vaccinated themselves and the loved ones of our students and employees who may not be able to be vaccinated or who may not yet be eligible to be vaccinated. For those who are not yet fully vaccinated*, there will be a requirement to have a COVID PCR test administered off campus, at your expense, each week beginning August 30. Negative test results must be uploaded every Monday morning prior to reporting to campus using a Google Form that will be shared with employees who indicated they are not yet vaccinated. If your vaccination status has changed since completing the employee survey, please update your information here.

Can I Ask Someone’s Vaccine Status? While asking someone if they are vaccinated has become a common question, there is no requirement for a peer, colleague, or student to answer this question. In our professional work environment, we must respect an individual’s decision not to answer this question if asked.

Masks

As we’ve learned more about the Delta variant since our announcement regarding masks in an email on August 3, 2021, we feel it prudent to expand our mask requirements. The following will be in effect through at least September 30: 

• All individuals are required to wear a face covering when in an indoor public location on campus regardless of vaccination status, except when actively eating or drinking.
• Fully vaccinated* students may remove their face coverings in residence halls. Students who received a medical or religious exemption may only remove face coverings in their own residence hall room.  
• Individuals alone in an office may remove their face covering, but should wear face coverings when others are present. 
• Masks are required in all classrooms and in all off-campus class meeting locations, such as those that are a part of nycTRECs or field trips. 

We recognize and support those who are fully vaccinated and choose to wear a mask in any location.

Student Testing

We will continue to observe local, regional, and global infection rates and transmission trends, and may increase or adapt our testing requirements at any time. Any changes will be communicated to the community via email. Our current testing plans are outlined below. 

Pre-Arrival Testing (for exempted or not yet fully vaccinated students)

Prior to arriving on campus, all exempt, unvaccinated* students must upload a negative COVID-19 test to your health portal. These pre-arrival tests must be completed between three and five days prior to your move-in date. Select “Pre-Entry COVID Test” when uploading documents into the portal. Vaccinated students will not have to submit a pre-arrival test.

Arrival Testing (for international, exempted, or not yet fully vaccinated students)

All exempt, unvaccinated* residents are required to complete a COVID-19 test on campus on the day of your move-in to campus housing. Additionally, vaccinated international students traveling to Drew from outside the U.S. are required to complete a COVID-19 test upon arrival to campus. Vaccinated domestic students will not be required to complete an arrival COVID-19 test.

Surveillance Testing (for exempted or not yet fully vaccinated students)

All exempt, unvaccinated* students will be tested weekly during the semester. More information regarding the logistics of surveillance testing will be shared in the coming weeks.

Symptomatic Testing

All students, regardless of vaccination status, will be tested by Health Services if they report symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. Faculty and staff who exhibit symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should contact their health care provider for testing and evaluation.

Contact Tracing, Isolation, and Quarantine

Students: The Health Service staff will conduct contact tracing for students who test positive for COVID-19 on campus. 

Any student, regardless of vaccination status, who tests positive for COVID will be required to isolate for 10 days. Isolation housing on campus, as well as other services such as meal delivery, will be available for students. 

Fully vaccinated students who are identified as close contacts of a COVID-postive individual but are asymptomatic will not have to quarantine, but will be tested three to five days after exposure. They should also wear a face covering and self monitor for symptoms for 14 days. Should symptoms develop, they should notify the Health Service so they can be tested.

Unvaccinated students who are identified as a close contact of a COVID-postive individual will be required to quarantine for a period of 10 to 14 days. The duration of quarantine will be guided by the current rates of transmission on campus and in the surrounding community, and in accordance with CDC, New Jersey, and Madison Borough Department of Health guidelines. Students in quarantine will be tested between five to seven days after exposure. Quarantine housing on campus and other support services will be available for students.

Faculty and Staff: Likewise, Human Resources will conduct contact tracing for employees who test positive for COVID-19. Faculty and staff experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who have tested positive must not teach or work in person. Any employee who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for 10 days prior to returning to campus and should notify Human Resources at humres@drew.edu. 

Employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 will be required to follow CDC and local guidance. Currently, this requires vaccinated individuals to be tested three to five days after exposure, and to wear a face covering and self monitor for symptoms for 14 days or a negative test result. Unvaccinated individuals are required to quarantine for 10 to 14 days and be tested between days five to seven after exposure. 

Faculty who feel well enough to teach may teach remotely and should email CLADean@drew.edu if they expect to remotely teach two or more consecutive in-person classes for any one course. If unable to teach for extended periods, faculty should work with department chairs or the dean’s office to make arrangements for covering classes.

If well enough to perform job duties, staff should work with their supervisor regarding remote work arrangements. 

LiveSafe App

While daily LiveSafe health screenings are no longer required, please continue to self monitor for signs and symptoms of illness each morning, and stay home if sick. The LiveSafe app will continue to be used to communicate emergency notifications, so all are advised to keep the app on their phones. Please read more about LiveSafe at Drew and download the app if new to campus.

Dining

All dining locations will be open starting August 30, with the campus population able to eat at each location. Treeline Dining staff at The Commons will continue to serve students, as opposed to self-service.

For those choosing not to dine inside the Commons, a to-go option, consisting of one large, one small, and one drink container will be available per meal swipe. 

Outdated COVID-19 Policies

As CDC and New Jersey guidance has changed, several health and safety policies and practices that Drew instituted for the 2020–21 academic year are no longer in effect. These include social distancing in most circumstances; travel restrictions from out of state; residence hall visitation restrictions for assigned campus residents; event capacity limits; and required Moodle health and safety training and signing of the Community Pledge.

As many faculty and staff members update their own drew.edu webpages, and may have made particular updates in response to the pandemic, we ask that admins for those pages thoroughly update the information. For assistance, reach out to communications@drew.edu.

Meetings

When scheduling a meeting, whether it be for academic advising or a student club, it is important to remember that not all members of the Drew community are learning or working from campus. Some individuals may only be able to meet virtually, and some may be more comfortable doing so. We appreciate cooperation and continued community courtesy as we meet as many needs as possible.

Faculty and Staff Return to Campus

Deans’ offices will be sending faculty more specific information regarding academic policies and procedures early next week.

Faculty who would like portable microphones for classroom use should contact Shawn Spaventa.

If employees need a webcam in order to participate in a virtual meeting, or have other technology needs related to a return to in-person work, please contact the Help Desk.

While we look forward to a time when such digests are not needed, we appreciate the patience, understanding, and adherence to these rules and reminders as we look to enjoy another fruitful academic year at Drew.

Sincerely,

Open Campus Task Force

*An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine, or two weeks after receiving a one-dose vaccine. “Unvaccinated” refers to all students who have approved medical or religious exemptions, or who are in the process of receiving the vaccine but are not yet considered fully vaccinated. 

Dear Drew Community,

Last week the CDC updated their COVID-19 guidance in response to the spread of the Delta variant. This update included a recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear a face covering in public indoor settings where the COVID-19 transmission level is at a “substantial” or “high” level. These levels are reported by county, and this week, the community transmission level in Morris County, where Drew is located, moved to “substantial.”

Throughout the pandemic, we have implemented federal and state guidance. As such, and effective immediately, Drew requires all individuals to wear a face covering when in an indoor public location regardless of vaccination status. When in individual offices and non-public spaces, fully vaccinated individuals may choose to remove their face covering.

As previously announced, those who are not fully vaccinated, and all visitors to the Health Center, are required to wear a face covering at all times when indoors. We recognize and support those who are fully vaccinated and choose to wear a mask in any location.

We appreciate your continued courteous cooperation as we remain nimble and work together to keep our community and region safe. As we prepare for the fall semester, please expect additional communication related to our safe re-open.

Sincerely,

Status of Campus Operations Committee

Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff

Joan Galbraith, MSN, APN-C, Director, Health Services

Roger Knowles, Professor and Department Chair, Biology

Jessica Lakin, Provost

Frank Merckx, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Campus Life

Kristen Daily Williams, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing

drew.edu/campusops

Dear Students,

Dear Students,

We hope you are enjoying your summer! Please take time to read the following important information.

COVID-19 vaccine reminder

This is a reminder for ALL students to submit your completed COVID-19 vaccination cards to your health portal, if you haven’t already done so. Thank you to those who have sent them in! If you are in the process of receiving a two-dose vaccine, please wait until you have completed both doses before you upload your card.

To access your health portal:

• Log into TreeHouse and click on MyHeathPortal under Health Services OR go to drew.studenthealthportal.com
• From the home page of your portal, go to Document Upload and choose “Immunizations” as the upload category from the dropdown menu

Refer to the vaccination requirement page on the Drew COVID-19 website for complete information about the requirement, including FAQs.

Students who are completely vaccinated will be exempt from COVID-19 screening/surveillance testing in the fall, including pre-arrival and arrival testing.

Students who have approved exemptions for vaccination, or who arrive to campus not yet fully vaccinated (such as international students who are unable to receive an FDA or WHO approved vaccine in their countries), will be required to submit a negative PCR COVID-19 test result to their health portal within 3-5 days of arrival to campus. Follow instructions for accessing your health portal above, and choose “COVID test result” as the upload category. Further information about testing plans for the fall will be forthcoming.

Additional reminders

NEW students

*Complete your health forms. Refer to our website for complete instructions and information on how to complete your online forms and upload paper forms to your health portal.

Please note that it can take several days for your forms to be processed once they are submitted, and for your portal to reflect you are cleared. We ask that you refrain from contacting our office to verify that we have received your forms. You will be contacted directly if you are still missing information. If you believe you have submitted all the required forms, and your portal is still showing your forms are incomplete 1-2 weeks after submitting them, reach our to our office.

NEW and returning students

*Enroll or waive the student health insurance plan (SHIP). Students who do not actively waive or enroll in the SHIP will be automatically enrolled and charged on your tuition bill. For instructions on how to waive or enroll, review the Insurance Information on our website. For billing questions, contact Student Accounts. For insurance questions, contact University Health Plans directly.

Thank you for your cooperation as we prepare for a healthy campus in the fall!

Drew University Health Service

Dear students:

This is a reminder for all new and returning students to submit your completed COVID-19 vaccination cards to your health portal as soon as possible, if you haven’t already done so. If you are in the process of receiving a two-dose vaccine, please wait until you have completed both doses before you upload your card.

To access your health portal:

• Log into TreeHouse and click on MyHeathPortal under Health Services OR go to drew.studenthealthportal.com
• From the home page of your portal, go to Document Upload and choose “Immunizations” as the upload category from the dropdown menu

Refer to the vaccination requirement page on the Drew COVID-19 website for complete information about the requirement, including FAQs.

Students who are completely vaccinated will be exempt from COVID-19 screening/surveillance testing in the fall, including pre-arrival and arrival testing.

Thank you for your cooperation as we prepare for a healthy campus in the fall!

Drew University Health Service

Dear Drew community,

As this weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, and we carefully move toward more “normal” operations, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some new information for the campus community, as well as to share a few friendly reminders.

COVID Testing & Dashboard
This summer, surveillance testing of a percentage of our residential students will take place at the Health Service. The fall semester testing program will be announced at a later date and will be based upon current guidance from the State, the CDC and the Madison Board of Health.

Virus prevalence is low on campus and in the surrounding community. As a result, the Status of Campus Operations Committee has lowered the campus alert level to green, or “COVID normal.”

We will continue to update the COVID dashboard with surveillance and symptomatic on-campus testing results, though this will now be reported on a weekly basis. You will notice the base number of tests will decrease substantially due to having significantly fewer residential students on campus.

If you receive a positive result from an off-campus COVID test, our process remains the same:

• Employees: Notify your direct supervisor and Human Resources (HR). If you have been on campus, HR will ask you questions to determine if you came into contact with anyone on campus during the period you could have been contagious. They will also review sick time and return to work policies.

• Students: Notify the Health Service right away so the contact tracing process can begin. If you are a residential student, you will be moved to an isolation space on campus. If it is after hours and the Health Service is closed, notify the RA on duty and they will assist with moving you to an isolation space. All students in isolation will receive instructions and support such as meal delivery and health check-ins.

Vaccinations

We strongly encourage all community members to get vaccinated. As previously announced, residential and commuter students are required to be vaccinated and upload their vaccine records to their Student Health Portal at least two weeks prior to arriving to campus, no later than August 13. The vaccine requirement for students is not in effect until the start of the fall semester.

Faculty and staff are asked to complete this Vaccine Information Form to voluntarily share their COVID vaccine status or intention, as well as their COVID vaccination record, by June 15. This information will be used to inform our decisions regarding COVID vaccine requirements for all employees. Currently, only staff working in Athletics, Health Services, and Residence Life are required to be vaccinated.

Should you choose to voluntarily complete the form and upload your COVID vaccination record, please know that your privacy will be upheld and vaccination records will be kept separately from personnel records. Because the form and its responses will be visible to only a select number of HR employees’ accounts, all of which are protected by our two-factor authentication system, the Google form meets HIPAA requirements. As noted in the form, please do not submit any medical information other than your vaccine status or intention and/or your completed vaccination record.

Masks

Recognizing that the messaging from the CDC and the Governor’s Executive Orders can be challenging to discern, we want to clarify Drew’s plan. Effective May 28, Drew will follow the current NJ mask guidance that allows for masks to be removed when outdoors. Masks should be worn indoors by those who are not fully vaccinated. Masks are not required indoors for fully vaccinated individuals, with the exception of the Health Services, where all individuals visiting must wear masks regardless of vaccination status. We recognize and support those who are fully vaccinated and choose to continue wearing a mask. We appreciate your cooperation and continued community courtesy.

Social/Physical Distancing

As noted in the Governor’s Executive Order, beginning May 28, public and private institutions of higher education are not required to implement policies to provide for social distancing in classrooms, residence halls, restrooms, and other areas across campus. Drew will follow this guidance and not mandate a specific distance requirement, but we again ask you to be respectful of others and their space.

Health Screening

At this time, Drew faculty, staff, students and guests must continue to complete the daily health screening on the LiveSafe app on a daily basis when on campus. We appreciate your cooperation.

Summer Services

Building access has moved back to a “normal” pre-COVID summer schedule with academic and larger administrative buildings, the Simon Forum and the Ehinger Center unlocked during business hours Monday through Friday, and smaller administrative buildings/faculty offices locked.

Dining

All meals will be served in the Ehinger Center Snack Bar, which will be open daily for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Breakfast is available “to-go” at dinner meal times. Changes to this schedule will be communicated to resident students via email throughout the summer and can also be found at drew.campusdish.com.

Simon Forum

Summer hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Forum will be closed Saturdays and Sundays.

Mail Room

The Commons Mail Room will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Delivery of mail/packages to offices will resume June 1. Departments that will not be returning to campus should contact Kevin Healy to request that their mail remain as pick-up only.

Bookstore

The bookstore will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bookstore will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Library

The library will be open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reference services will continue to be available virtually during library hours. Individual study spaces are available without an appointment, but public computers are still not available. Please refer to the library website for the latest information on all services. The library will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Invited Guests

Please be aware that Drew will be hosting outside guests on campus this summer as part of various summer camps, conferences and Admissions’ programs. If you are on campus and encounter a guest, please be sure to warmly welcome them to The Forest.

New Employees

If you are a supervisor or manager of a new employee who begins working over the summer, we ask that you please review the health and safety protocols described in this message with new employees on their first day, and refer them to our COVID website for additional information. There may be changes to our protocols as we follow the evolving NJ health and safety guidelines.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to keep the health and safety of our community a priority. Please continue to stay home if you are ill, wash your hands often, wear masks when required and get vaccinated.Best wishes for a safe and happy summer!

Open Campus Task Force

Dear Drew community,

We are pleased to report continuing encouraging news as a result of the precautions our community has taken during our alert level change. Effective Wednesday, April 28, Drew will move from COVID-19 Alert Level Orange back to Alert Level Yellow.

As we near the conclusion of the semester and look forward to important scheduled events, let’s all continue to follow health and safety protocols. Please report for testing when called, practice social distancing, avoid indoor gatherings, and wear a mask.

Shift from Orange to Yellow

• Classes will continue to meet virtually through the last day of classes, which is Monday, May 3. Faculty members teaching in-person courses may schedule in-person review sessions and/or final exams; students should expect to hear course specific information directly from their instructors.

• Dining services in the Commons and the Ehinger Center food court will return to regular operations effective Wednesday, April 28.

• Through the end of the semester, the entire residential student population will be tested on a weekly basis, as opposed to every other week. Employees and commuter students should report for surveillance testing when called. Messages about testing will continue to be distributed from Campus Life.

All other operations will return to the levels we’ve had throughout the semester.

Thank you,

Status of Campus Operations Committee
Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff
Joan Galbraith, MSN, APN-C, Director, Health Services
Roger Knowles, Professor and Department Chair, Biology
Jessica Lakin, Provost
Frank Merckx, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Campus Life
Kristen Daily Williams, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
drew.edu/campusops

Dear Drew community,

In an effort to promote the health and safety of the Drew community, we are implementing a policy requiring a COVID-19 vaccination for all students planning to be on campus during the 2021–2022 academic year.

The policy will apply to all students enrolled full time or part time in a Drew school or program. This includes our joint and collaborative programs with other institutions, as well as for all of our visiting, exchange, non-matriculated, and special-program students.

We made this decision following the CDC’s recent nationwide expansion of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all individuals ages 16 and older. This is in lock-step with our approach throughout the pandemic, where the health and safety of the Drew community have been paramount.

Here are some details about the policy:

• Beginning in fall 2021, students will be required to present evidence of COVID-19 immunization at least two weeks prior to moving into their residence hall or by August 13 for commuter students.

• Drew will work closely and on a case-by-case basis with international students who may not be able to obtain the vaccine prior to leaving their home country, including assisting them in obtaining the vaccine upon arrival. We recognize that there may be barriers due to differing vaccine protocols throughout the world, as well as challenges surrounding visa obtainment or restrictions on travel. We are committed to assisting our international students navigate their safe return to campus

• A COVID-19 immunization is defined as a complete series of any COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in the U.S. by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

• Students should upload their completed COVID-19 vaccination record to their Drew University Student Health Portal.

• Requests for exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be considered on an individual basis. Please find the request for exemption forms at the Health Service website.

• Students who will not be on campus and whose entire course of study is web-based, who are enrolled in a fully online degree program, and/or who are fully remote will be exempt from this policy.

Like all things related to this pandemic, this policy is subject to change based on factors such as the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance from public health authorities. Read more about this policy and review the related FAQ at the COVID-19 resource website.

We are looking forward to the fall 2021 semester, and we must ensure that we take the steps necessary to get there. The best way to do this is to remain vigilant in adhering to health and safety protocols. Socially distance. Wear a mask. Get vaccinated.

Thank you,

Thomas J. Schwarz

Interim President

Frank Merckx

Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life

Dear Drew community,

In Thursday’s community message, we informed you of an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases over the past week. Testing between Thursday and Friday resulted in additional positive cases, bringing our total active cases to its highest point during the pandemic. 

As a result of this increase, we are moving to an Orange Alert Level, which calls for temporarily suspending some campus operations and restricting movements on campus. Visit the COVID-19 dashboard for additional information.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will share an update on Thursday, April 22.

What This Means

The goal of this alert level change is to stop the spread of COVID-19 among the on-campus population as soon as possible. Residential students should restrict their movement on campus, and non-residential students should refrain from coming to campus. We strongly encourage residential students to remain on campus in order to minimize the likelihood of unknowingly exposing others to COVID-19 on and off campus.

Through at least the end of next week, Friday, April 23:

• All in-person courses will be delivered in a virtual format. Faculty members teaching in-person courses will be in touch with affected students with course-specific information. 
• On-campus residents may not host other students in their rooms, even those from the same residence hall.
  
• When gathering or exercising outside, continue to use appropriate safety measures. This includes appropriately wearing face coverings. While being outside is safe, please gather only in small groups and avoid situations where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
• Beginning with breakfast today, Saturday, April 17, all dining in the Commons will shift to grab-and-go service.
• The Library and the Simon Forum are closed except to staff who work in those buildings.
• The Ehinger Center will be closed for student gatherings, but will be open for surveillance testing, and the food court will remain open for grab-and-go during regular hours.
• All scheduled on-campus, in-person events will be rescheduled or switched to virtual formats. Check Drew Today for more information.
• All residential students who are currently on campus must report for testing on Monday, April 19, regardless of whether next week is your testing week. Campus Life will be sending an additional email to all residents informing them of next week’s testing protocol.
• Surveillance testing on Thursday, April 22, will be designated for faculty and staff who have been identified for testing next week and who are on campus.
• Employees with campus access may continue to work on campus as there has been no evidence of community spread through classrooms or offices.
• Student workers should not report to in-person jobs, unless you are asked by your manager to do so because you are an essential student employee. Work may continue remotely, if possible. Please reach out to your supervisor with any questions.

The Drew community has already proven that we have the ability to keep COVID-19 in check on our campus, but that is only possible through our collective actions and commitment to one another. Our campus operations, Commencement and other planned in-person events, and, most importantly, the health and safety of our community, depend upon it.

Thank you,

Status of Campus Operations Committee

Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff

Joan Galbraith, MSN, APN-C, Director, Health Services

Roger Knowles, Professor and Department Chair, Biology

Jessica Lakin, Provost

Frank Merckx, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Campus Life

Kristen Daily Williams, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing

drew.edu/campusops

Dear Drew community,

As the next CLA Spring Break Day approaches, please stay vigilant in your efforts to keep our community safe and healthy.

Many people are carefully observing Drew’s health and safety protocols, and the community is grateful for this commitment. It is not unreasonable, therefore, to feel frustration when we see or hear about community members not following these protocols. Please remember that individual decisions may affect the entire community, and it is a shared responsibility to not put the Drew community at risk.

There has been an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in the past week. The Status of Campus Operations Committee is monitoring this situation closely, but at this point, our campus alert level remains at yellow. There is no evidence of widespread transmission in the general community population.

Reminders:

• No one should feel stigmatized because of exposure to, or diagnosis of, any disease or illness. Please participate honestly in all contact tracing efforts.
• Limit gathering in groups, even when outdoors. When around others, wear your masks properly over your nose and mouth, and stay 6 feet apart.
• Avoid off-campus trips whenever possible in order to avoid inadvertent risk exposure where you are going, back on campus, or both.
• You may use the LiveSafe app’s “report suspicious activity” feature to anonymously log concerns.
• Violators of Drew’s health and safety protocols are subject to the University’s progressive discipline policies, which can be found in the student handbook.

Find more information here. It is our personal and collective responsibility to take all necessary steps to stay well and protect each other.

Thank you,

Status of Campus Operations Committee

Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff

Joan Galbraith, MSN, APN-C, Director, Health Services

Roger Knowles, Professor and Department Chair, Biology

Jessica Lakin, Provost

Frank Merckx, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Campus Life

Kristen Daily Williams, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing

drew.edu/campusops

Dear Drew University faculty and staff,

We have partnered with Atlantic Health System to enable COVID-19 vaccine scheduling for our university community members who wish to receive their vaccine at an Atlantic Health facility in our area. Any employee who is eligible to be vaccinated is welcome to register.

Please read the below information from Atlantic Health carefully:

1. If you wish to be vaccinated, register for an appointment alert on the Atlantic Health website. The link is: www.atlantichealth.org/covidvaccine. Click the button that says “GET APPOINTMENT ALERTS” in the top section of the page.  Be sure to complete all the requested information and indicate that you work in Education by checking the appropriate box.

2. Complete this form with the required information.

Atlantic Health will match the information you have supplied on their website with the information you have supplied to us to verify that you are a Drew employee. Important note: please make sure you provide the same information in both places (e.g. same spelling of your name; same contact number and email address).

You will receive an email or text message from Atlantic Health with a unique link to schedule your vaccine appointment. Please do not share this link with anyone.

We are happy to work together with our community partners to ensure that everyone who wishes to be vaccinated will be able to do so. Thank you for your commitment to promoting a safe and healthy campus!

Warm regards,

Joan Galbraith

Drew University Health Service

Dear members of the Drew community,

I am pleased to share with you that Drew plans to have a fully in-person fall 2021 semester. Although the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still with us and will linger into the future, we are hopeful and actively planning for a return this fall to a more traditional on-campus experience, complete with robust, in-person academic, research, living, and learning opportunities.

This spring, we welcomed students back to campus for a modified semester, with firm health and safety protocols and testing procedures in place. The commitment and participation of our entire community of students, faculty, and staff during this time have paved the way for our optimistic view of the fall.

Additionally, we are encouraged by the continued rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines—and strongly urge members of the Drew community to get their vaccine as soon as they are eligible. Having as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible is our best defense against the virus and gives us the greatest chance for a normal fall semester.

As has been the case since the pandemic began, our first priority is the health and safety of the Drew community. Therefore, the shape of the fall 2021 semester will ultimately depend upon local, state, and CDC health and safety guidelines, which the University will follow closely in both our planning and execution. As always, we must remain flexible and ready to adjust our plans, should circumstances change.

Students, please note this important information:

• Registration: Fall registration for continuing students will begin on Monday, April 12, and the course schedule will go live on Monday, March 29. The vast majority of courses in the College of Liberal Arts will be taught as fully in-person courses, while a selection of online courses will be available to students who are not able to join us on campus next fall. In the graduate schools, as was true even before the pandemic, a mix of in-person, flexible, and online courses will be available. More information about course registration will be forthcoming from your respective Dean’s offices.

• Housing: All students who wish to live in on-campus housing for next academic year are required to complete a housing application. Full instructions for applying for 2021–2022 academic year housing were shared via email with all current undergraduate students on March 15. As noted in that email message, on April 1, all students who have submitted a housing application will be sent a housing priority number. Room selection begins on Thursday, April 22, 2021. You must be enrolled in at least 12 credits for the fall 2021 semester to participate in the housing selection process. Contact reslife@drew.edu for more information.

As we head towards a more normal future, please stay vigilant: Continue wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, adhering to on-campus protocols, and abiding by the local and state guidelines, wherever you are spending this semester. Additional fall 2021 semester details will be shared over the coming months.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Schwarz

Dear Drew community,

With multiple vaccines now available and general “pandemic fatigue,” we may be inclined to relax the critical precautions we’ve taken to reduce risk and protect our community. We must not. It is crucial that we remain vigilant.

There has been an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases—on campus and in Madison, the region and the state—in the past week. We have worked quickly to target our on-campus responses and restrict activities in certain places, including accelerated disciplinary action for health and safety violations in the Simon Forum.

At this point in time, our campus alert level remains at yellow. The Status of Campus Operations Committee continues to closely monitor the situation, and we will raise the overall campus alert level and/or add further restrictions if necessary. Potential temporary actions might include closing the fitness and weight rooms in the Forum, reducing capacity in the Commons and/or shifting to grab-and-go meals, reducing business activities on campus, and moving to entirely online learning for a period of time.

Reminders

• Violators of Drew’s health and safety protocols are subject to the University’s progressive discipline policies, which can be found in the student handbook. Personal and collective responsibilities are articulated in the University’s Community Pledge.

• If you are sick or experiencing symptoms, do not report for surveillance testing with New Bridge. Students should call the Health Service to make an appointment for a rapid test, and employees should remain off campus and reach out to their personal physician.

• No one should feel stigmatized because of exposure to, or diagnosis of, any disease or illness. Please continue to actively and honestly participate in all contact tracing efforts.

• Limit gathering in groups—even when outdoors. When around others, wear your masks properly over your nose and mouth, and stay 6 feet apart. A close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of a COVID-19-positive individual for 15 minutes or more in a 24 hour period—bear this in mind when socializing.

• Avoid off-campus trips whenever possible. Even going home for the weekend can carry the risk of inadvertently exposing others in your household to COVID-19; conversely, you could unknowingly be exposed while at home and bring the virus back to campus.

• Complete the required daily health screener on the LiveSafe app. Continue to use LiveSafe’s “report suspicious activity” feature to log concerns. You have the option to submit these reports anonymously.

For more reminders on how to prevent COVID-19, please see How to Take Care of Yourself.

Even as we see so much light at the end of the tunnel, our community must come together and stay vigilant. Our campus operations, Commencement and other planned in-person events, and, most importantly, the health and safety of our community depend upon it.

Thank you,

Status of Campus Operations Committee
Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff
Joan Galbraith, MSN, APN-C, Director, Health Services
Roger Knowles, Professor and Department Chair, Biology
Jessica Lakin, Provost
Frank Merckx, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Campus Life
Kristen Daily Williams, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
drew.edu/campusops

Dear Drew community,

One year ago, on March 16, 2020, Drew University went virtual amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weeks before, the world turned its attention to COVID-19, and life began to fundamentally change. Work-from-home became the rule rather than the exception, grocery store shelves sat empty, rush-hour traffic was no more. At Drew, health and travel warnings were issued, while some spring break shortTRECs were cancelled, and Drew announced it would move to virtual instruction and primarily remote business operations. The next day, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global pandemic.

Although I was not yet your president, I have learned of how the Drew community worked together to adapt to the new virtual learning environment, and to establish and carry out newly-developed health and wellness protocols. Faculty adapted their courses, staff provided support for not only instruction but also for students in need and colleagues adjusting to working from home.

The spring semester ended with rites of passage carried out in nontraditional ways. Study abroad and summer programs were cancelled. Despite plans to the contrary, we made the decision to move the fall 2020 semester online as well, with the vast majority of students studying from home once again.

The decision to return to a hybrid, on-campus spring 2021 semester was made with great caution, care, and planning. With campus health and safety standards set, a Community Pledge of behaviors agreed on, and testing protocols and procedures in place, students were given the green light to return to their home away from home, albeit with a “new normal” caveat and pre-arrival and arrival testing protocols to adhere to, among other guidelines.

It was with great trust and belief in the Drew community that the University reopened its doors this semester, and we have not been disappointed.

Statistics from our weekly surveillance testing—available on the COVID-19 Dashboard—show the virus continues but has mostly been kept at bay within The Forest thus far. Thousands of tests have been administered, with an overall positivity rate hovering around 1 percent. Staff and students have worked collaboratively to contact trace so that we are able to isolate or quarantine impacted students and employees, limiting spread to our campus community.

Looking Back

Observing health and safety guidelines and prioritizing the wellbeing of the entire Drew family has taken us far. It is also appropriate to take a look back at how we got here, and reflect on what our community has endured.

Students from each of the three schools have learned in a completely new way all while missing cherished connections with friends and mentors on campus.

• They have embraced an MLK Day of Service; completed senior projects; aided the local community; put on virtual plays; and created educational resources for high schoolers and engaged with local middle school students.

• They have earned impressive finishes at prestigious competitions; presented papers and sat on scholar panels; helped tackle food insecurity through projects and local food drives; started their careers well-prepared for the digital learning environment; and focused on the positive side of a hard year.

• The Drew Theological School welcomed its largest incoming class in decades and saw its Religion and Global Health Forum launch the Never Stop Breathing campaign for health and social justice.

• The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies’ Master of Science in Finance program bolstered its offerings via an academic partnership with an industry leader.

• Athletics teams have come roaring back this spring after seeing seasons and games postponed, rescheduled, and cancelled during the previous two semesters.

• The Class of 2020, who landed jobs at Amazon, the American Museum of Natural History, and Bloomberg, among others, and entered scores of grad school programs, including at Brown, Columbia, and Rutgers Law School, marked their graduation with a virtual Commencement—though they’ll get their chance at an in-person celebration this May.

• The first-year CLA Class of 2024 was introduced to college life with a remote orientation and opening of school ceremony, virtual guest speakers, seniors lending a hand, and seminars playing an even more vital role than normal.

Faculty quickly adjusted their classes to mesh with and take advantage of new technological teaching tools in order to maintain the academic excellence Drew is known for. They also kept the Drew community expertly informed as the world came to grips with new realities and uncertainties brought on by the pandemic. Many have been featured as go-to sources of insight and information in their fields, and others have had success, recognition, and appointments in their own right.

Throughout, staff focused on supporting Drew’s academic and campus operations, and played a key role in reimagining the student experience by remodeling student activities, career development, and counseling, and organizing the myriad facets to reopening campus amid a pandemic. Some even selflessly headed to the front lines of the fight against COVID-19. During the entirety of this global pandemic, Drew has remained steadfast in its support of our students who need a place to live and eat.

Despite the challenges of the last year, the Drew spirit of care for one another and dedication to our work and creativity has enriched us all. I am grateful to each member of this community.

Even as we remain diligent—wearing masks, staying socially distant, and receiving the vaccination, when able—we look forward with hope to emerging into the light from this dark tunnel, and to even more of us passing one another on The Forest paths in the weeks and months to come.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Schwarz

Dear Drew students,

We hope you are all doing well and have had a chance to get outdoors and enjoy this nice weather! As we near the mid-way point of this unprecedented spring semester, we wanted to share some information and reminders as we continue to move forward.

COVID-19 Testing:

*Continue to report for the weekly campus testing through New Bridge when you are called upon to do so, and follow any instructions in the email you receive. Remember, you are exempt from testing for a period of 90 days following a positive COVID-19 test result. If your positive test was done off campus, submit the result to your health portal: drew.studenthealthportal.com.

*If you are sick or experiencing symptoms, do NOT report for testing with New Bridge. Please call the Health Service to make an appointment so we can evaluate you and determine any testing you might need. We have the ability to perform COVID-19 testing on site, including rapid antigen and PCR testing, as well as collecting saliva PCR tests to send to an outside laboratory.

Quarantine and Isolation:

*The duration of quarantine is determined by guidance from the CDC, the NJ Department of Health, and the Madison Health Department. Factors such as the regional transmission risk and campus trends will also play a role. At this time, if you are a close contact of an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, the quarantine period is 14 days. Any changes to the quarantine guidelines will be communicated to you. Follow any instructions reviewed with you by the Health Service, including reporting any symptoms.

*You are exempt from quarantine due to a COVID-19 exposure if you tested positive for COVID-19 within the previous 90 days. You are also exempt if you are fully vaccinated and the exposure occurred within 90 days of being vaccinated.

Non-COVID-19 Reminders:

*Don’t put off routine health care because of COVID-19! We are here for all of your healthcare needs including physicals, immunizations, sick visits, and more. Check our website for hours.

Health Holds:

*Registration for summer and fall classes will be here before you know it. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your health forms, as it will block registration. To see if you have any health holds, log into Treehouse, click on the student tab, then click on HOLDS under your Academic Profile. Call the Health Service if you have any questions.

Thank you for your continued cooperation with following the campus health and safety protocols. Now is not the time to let up! Through all of our combined efforts, we can finish the semester in true Drew fashion–with care and consideration for our community.

Yours in health,

Joan Galbraith

Director, Health Service

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

As classes begin today, I extend my best wishes for a successful spring semester. Thanks to you, Drew is back in session, despite the challenges of COVID-19. Some of us are on campus, while some remain remote. It’s still a challenging time, but each day shows new progress, and I am pleased with how members of the Drew community are working together to be a part of that progress.

The faculty and staff have been working diligently to prepare for this unique semester, and I thank them for all of their hard work and resilience. I also thank the students for their cooperation and best efforts as we learn together as never before. I know we will experience challenges this semester; please remember that everyone is doing their best, and be patient with and kind to one another.

Just two days ago, we honored the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day focused on how we can serve others. And today, on Inauguration Day, I urge us to continue in that mindset and remember that we are all called by Drew’s mission to add to the world’s good. We can do that by educating ourselves before speaking, debating differing ideas with respect, and building people up, not tearing them down. There is no better place to hone these practices than at an institution of higher learning.

Lastly, please continue to keep health and safety in the forefront of your minds: stay physically distant, wear a mask, avoid crowds, wash your hands, and—if you are on campus—complete your health and safety training as well as your daily health questionnaire on the LiveSafe app. Visit drew.edu/covid19 to see the COVID-19 dashboard and for information on testing, contact tracing, campus access (including study spaces, which you can freely access), and more.

We all must remain vigilant about the safety of our community in The Forest and our community beyond campus. For more than nine months, we’ve been dealing with this pandemic. We are now accustomed to meeting challenges in new ways and with a flexible attitude, and we must continue to do so. With everyone’s best efforts we will complete the semester uninterrupted.

Have a great first week!

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Schwarz

Interim President

Dear students,

As you know, Drew University and Bergen New Bridge Medical Center have partnered on a comprehensive COVID-19 testing program for the remainder of the 2020–2021 academic year. Beginning last week, you should have received communication from Bergen New Bridge inviting your participation in the program. This message is meant to summarize and guide you through the onboarding process for our on-campus testing protocol. All of this information and additional details, including tips for registration, may be found at Drew’s COVID-19 resource site.

Any student who plans to access campus must be a part of Drew’s testing protocol. This includes residential students, and commuter and non-residential students taking classes in person and accessing campus facilities. If you fall into these categories, please follow the steps below. If you do not fall into any of these categories, you do not need to take any action. 

Some of you may have already gone through these steps—great! If not, here are the steps to take to establish your profile and online portal for Drew’s testing protocol:

1. All students should have received an email from coviddrew@newbridgehealth.org entitled “Drew University COVID-19 Testing” with a personalized link to complete the registration survey. (If you did not receive an email, you may access the registration survey link at this site.)
   • If you have already filled out this registration survey, you are all set; don’t fill it out again.
   • If you have no plans to access campus this spring, do not fill out this registration survey.
   • If you filled out the form and your campus access plans have changed, no worries! Simply disregard any communications you may receive regarding on-campus testing while records are reconciled. 
   • If none of the above describes you, please fill out the registration survey.
2. Within a few days of submitting the registration survey, you will receive an email from Bergen New Bridge Medical Center entitled “Invitation from Bergen New Bridge Medical Center to Communicate Online,” with a personalized link to set up your Change Healthcare online portal. Please follow the instructions and set up your online portal.
   • Once you are logged into the Change Healthcare Patient Portal, verify that “Bergen New Bridge” is listed as your provider. If you have no provider listed, hit “add provider” then search “Bergen New Bridge” (no zip code), then “Select.”
   • Please note: You may receive additional email communications from Bergen New Bridge offering optional services. Only the emails articulated in this message are necessary for registering and setting up your Change Healthcare online portal.
3. After you have set up your online portal profile, you’ll receive an email from Change Healthcare Communicator with the subject “Welcome to Change Healthcare Communicator,” confirming your account setup and with a link to access the online portal. This is where you will access your test results.

On-campus weekly surveillance testing begins January 25, 2021. Testing will take place on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m. in the C’80 Pub located in the Ehinger Center. 

Further details, including notification of your testing requirement and information on how to schedule your testing appointment, will be shared by email and will be posted at Drew’s COVID-19 resource site.

As a reminder, for your safety and the safety of others, all Drew community members are required to participate in Drew’s campus health and safety training. Prior to your next return to campus, please complete this required training, which includes downloading the LiveSafe app and completing the daily health questionnaire. Staff members on campus, as well as faculty members who are teaching classes in person, may ask to see your LiveSafe verification, a confirmation of which is sent to your Drew email—so keep that email handy.

Thank you for your cooperation!

As you know, Drew University and Bergen New Bridge Medical Center have partnered on a comprehensive COVID-19 testing program for the remainder of the 2020–2021 academic year. Beginning last week, you should have received communication from Bergen New Bridge inviting your participation in the program. This message is meant to summarize and guide you through the onboarding process for our on-campus testing protocol. All of this information and additional details may be found at Drew’s COVID-19 resource site.

Any employee with a “C” (a.k.a. campus access) designation must be a part of Drew’s testing protocol. Some of you may have already gone through these steps—great! If not, here are the steps to take to establish your profile and online portal for Drew’s testing protocol:

1. All employees with a “C” designation should have received an email from coviddrew@newbridgehealth.org entitled “Drew University COVID-19 Testing for Faculty and Staff” with a personalized link to complete the registration survey. (If you did not receive an email, you may access the registration survey link at this site.)
   • If you have already filled out this registration survey, you are all set; don’t fill it out again.
   • If you filled out the form and your campus access plans have changed, no worries! Simply disregard any communications you may receive regarding on-campus testing while records are reconciled. 
   • If none of the above describes you, please fill out the registration survey.
2. Within a few days of submitting the registration survey, you will receive an email from Bergen New Bridge Medical Center entitled “Invitation from Bergen New Bridge Medical Center to Communicate Online,” with a personalized link to set up your Change Healthcare online portal. Please follow the instructions and set up your online portal.
   • Once you are logged into the Change Healthcare Patient Portal, verify that “Bergen New Bridge” is listed as your provider. If you have no provider listed, hit “add provider” then search “Bergen New Bridge” (no zip code), then “Select.”
   • Please note: You may receive additional email communications from Bergen New Bridge offering additional optional services. Only the emails articulated in this message are necessary for registering and setting up your Change Healthcare online portal.
3. After you have set up your online portal profile, you’ll receive an email from Change Healthcare Communicator with the subject “Welcome to Change Healthcare Communicator” confirming your account setup and with a link to access the online portal. This is where you will access your test results.

On-campus weekly surveillance testing begins January 25, 2021. Testing will take place on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m. in the C’80 Pub located in the Ehinger Center. 

Further details, including notification of your testing requirement and information on how to schedule your testing appointment, will be shared by email and will be posted at Drew’s COVID-19 resource site. If you do not plan to be on campus the day you’re identified for testing, please don’t make a special trip. You will have the option to reschedule your appointment for on-campus testing on a more convenient day.

As a reminder, for your safety and the safety of others, all Drew community members are required to participate in Drew’s campus health and safety training. Prior to your next return to campus, please complete this required training, which includes downloading the LiveSafe app and completing the daily health questionnaire.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Dear Students and Families,

This email contains information for the spring 2021 semester. It is also a follow up to our Town Hall for undergraduate students and parents, held on December 16, 2020. You may view the recording of the Town Hall event here.

For students living on campus, we encourage you to review your housing assignment in your Drew housing portal, drew.edu/housingportal. Please note, the housing portal web address has been recently updated. All students who have applied to live on campus have been assigned an on-campus room. If you have any questions or concerns about your housing assignment please email reslife@drew.edu. If you would like to live on campus but have not yet completed a housing application please do so in your housing portal as soon as possible.

We would also like you to confirm your status with us for the spring 2021 semester. For any student (undergraduate, graduate, or theological student) who is not living on campus for the spring 2021 term, please confirm if you plan to be present on campus during the spring semester. You can confirm your status by completing our form. Again, students confirmed in Campus Housing do not need to complete this form, it is only for students not registered in Campus Housing.

It is very important that you familiarize yourself with these updates for the spring 2021 semester as we have outlined many of the processes for both resident and commuter students. Please save this message to refer back to as you prepare to join us on campus! 

Moving Into Campus Housing

Move-In Process

All residential students must schedule a move-in appointment to gain access to their on-campus housing assignment. Scheduling a move-in appointment not only allows our Residence Life and Health Services teams to prepare for your arrival, but it also permits us to follow social distancing guidelines during the move-in process.

Move-in appointments are already being scheduled, and appointments must be scheduled no later than 48 hours before your intended move-in time. The calendar will not be available less than 48 hours prior to your intended move-in date/time.

Schedule Your Move-in Appointment: Appointment Calendar

Students are permitted to bring two guests to assist during the move-in process, and every resident is granted a maximum of 3 hours to unload and move in. Guests must exit campus at the completion of the move-in process. Names of students and all guests will be recorded during move-in for contact tracing purposes. Upon entering campus, temperature readings will be taken for every person coming on campus. Please do not report to campus if you or a guest is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

Out of State & Students Traveling From International Locations

Students traveling to New Jersey from any location other than New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, or Pennsylvania, are required to complete at least a 10-day quarantine upon your arrival. Previously the requirement was a 14-day quarantine, which is still encouraged; however, a 10-day quarantine is now the updated minimum timeline required by the State and the Madison Health Department for traveling to New Jersey. View the most current information about quarantining upon entry to New Jersey on this state website.

Students can complete their arrival quarantine in their spring 2021 housing assignment or at an off-campus location coordinated by you. Please plan your arrival to campus in accordance with the state travel quarantine timeline and important campus dates. During your quarantine, you should spend the majority of your time in your room. You are permitted to utilize the restroom, access and utilize the laundry room, exercise or relax outdoors, pick up to-go food from dining locations on campus, complete required COVID testing, or visit Health Services as needed and by appointment. Attending in-person classes or social gatherings and spending time inside other campus buildings is not permitted during the timeline of quarantine.

New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania Residents

Students who currently reside in New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, or Pennsylvania are not required to quarantine upon arrival to campus.

Move-In Times

Due to our arrival testing process, our move-in appointments are only permitted to be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Moving onto campus after 5 p.m. is not permitted due to an inability to conduct proper arrival testing. If you are delayed in your arrival to campus and cannot get to campus until after 5 p.m., you will be asked to return the next day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Move-In Dates

January 4, 2021: Move-in for international, first-year, and transfer students (who entered fall 2020 or spring 2021), who must complete a travel quarantine* prior to New Student Orientation on January 17–19, 2021.

*Students may choose to quarantine off-campus at a hotel or with a family member in NJ, NY, PA, CT, or DE, as an on-campus quarantine is not required. If you choose to quarantine off-campus, you should plan to move into campus housing on January 15 or 16, 2021.

January 4–6, 2021: Move-in for returning students who must complete a travel quarantine* prior to classes beginning on January 20, 2021.

*Students may choose to quarantine off-campus at a hotel or with a family member in NJ, NY, PA, CT, or DE, as an on-campus quarantine is not required. If you choose to quarantine off-campus, you can move into campus housing on January 17, 18, or 19, 2021.

January 15 or 16, 2021: Move-in for first-year and transfer students (who entered fall 2020 or spring 2021) who are not required to quarantine or who have completed an off-campus quarantine.

January 17, 18, or 19, 2021: Move-in for returning students who are not required to quarantine or who have completed an off-campus quarantine.

Meal Plan Information

The meal plan begins on Sunday, January 17, 2021 for all students. However, for any student arriving prior to that date, you have access to dining as an early arrival. The fee you pay for arriving early to quarantine includes meal swipes to each meal in the Commons (it does not include any points and all meals will be served in the Commons). While within your quarantine timeline, all students MUST use the grab and go aspect of the meal plan. You are not eligible to eat in the dining facility until your quarantine is over. Any student arriving prior to January 17, 2021 in part of an athletics program or new student orientation program, will have access to meals in the commons, paid for by those programs.

You may also review the meal times on our website.

Resident Student Check-In & Key Pick-Up

All cars must enter campus at the Lancaster Road entrance. This is the only entrance/exit for cars currently open.

All residential students should go directly to the Ehinger Center Parking Lot for check-in. You will be greeted by our staff, who will take your temperature and collect the names of any guests assisting you with your move-in.

Residential students should follow the check-in/key pick-up signage outside the Ehinger Center for our exact check-in location within the Ehinger Center. Additional instructions for completing your on-site COVID test are outlined below.

Pre-Arrival & On-Site Testing

Drew University has implemented a pre-arrival testing protocol (also called “pre-entry testing”) and scheduled regular surveillance testing for the spring 2021 semester.

Requirements

All residential and commuter students planning to be on campus during the spring 2021 semester are required to:

• Submit proof of a COVID-19 test performed within 7 days of initial arrival to campus; and self-quarantine between the date the test is performed and the return to campus.
  • If your COVID test taken within the 7-day window is positive, you will not be permitted to come to campus until you meet the CDC and NJ Department of Health criteria for release from isolation (10 days from the date of the positive test if there were no symptoms; or 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms, and fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications).
• Students are responsible for the cost of pre-entry testing. For testing locations in your area, check with your primary healthcare provider or with your state or local health department. For testing sites in New Jersey, check here. Additional information about Morris County testing sites can be found here.
• PCR tests (preferred) and rapid antigen tests will be accepted. Antibody tests will NOT be accepted for pre-entry.

Submitting Results

An image of the test result, with the date of the test clearly visible, should be uploaded to your student health portal by visiting drew.studenthealthportal.com. Once logged into the portal, click on Document Upload, choose the “Pre-Entry COVID-19 test result” option from the dropdown menu, and upload the test result. The upload feature for pre-entry test results is now available in your student health portal. We also encourage you to bring a paper copy of your test results along with you for the check-in process.

Prior to coming to campus, you should check the homepage of your health portal for the status of your COVID-19 test clearance. If you are cleared for arrival, there will be a green checkmark next to the COVID-19 test category and you will be permitted to come to campus.

If you do not submit a pre-entry COVID test, you will not be permitted to move into Campus Housing.

Exceptions to the Pre-Entry Testing Protocol

If a student has had a positive COVID-19 test result within 90 days prior to their arrival, you do not need to have another test as long as you remain asymptomatic. In this case, students will be required to upload a copy of your laboratory report with the positive result to your student health portal. Follow the procedure for submitting results above. Note you will also be exempt from the weekly testing protocol until that 90 day period has passed.

Students who are enrolled as completely online for the spring 2021 semester, are not residing on campus, and will not be physically present on campus at any time during the spring 2021 semester are not required to submit a pre-entry test result.

Compliance

Unless you meet criteria for an exception as outlined above, you will NOT be permitted to move into campus housing or attend in-person classes until the pre-entry testing requirement is met.

On-Site COVID Testing/Surveillance Testing

Once you have checked in with Residence Life, you will be directed to complete your first on-site COVID test. You will most commonly have a nasal swab PCR test, a swab at the base of your nose. NOTE: this is NOT the extensively long nasopharyngeal swab! At times you may take a saliva test, which requires you to spit into a tube. The C’80 Pub inside the Ehinger Center will be our primary testing location for the spring 2021 semester. Depending on your date of arrival, you will be directed to complete your on-site COVID test either in The C’80 Pub inside the Ehinger Center or at Health Services, which is located next to Holloway Hall and near the Simon Forum Athletics Center.

In preparation for working with our testing vendor, you will soon receive a message from Bergen New Bridge Medical Center requesting that you submit information via an online form. Completing the information requested prior to your move-in will help us to prepare for the best possible service and to keep on-site wait times to a minimum. Please be on the lookout for this email and complete the information promptly. In addition, we appreciate everyone’s flexibility as this process unfolds. We are anticipating a slight wait as we begin our testing program, but we anticipate a fast and convenient process as the semester progresses.

We would like to note that for the spring 2021 semester, we will be conducting regular surveillance testing for anyone who will be on campus. 50% of our residential population will be tested every week after your move-in date (meaning on-campus residents will be tested every other week). All other students, faculty, and staff coming to campus will be tested on a randomized basis.

Your health insurance will be billed for COVID surveillance tests administered on campus, however, any costs that are not covered by insurance for surveillance COVID testing will be covered by Drew University.

Symptomatic testing will also be conducted as needed via Health Services, and special testing parameters for NCAA Athletics teams will be shared directly with student-athletes by your coaches and/or the Athletics Department staff.

Additional Important Items

Campus Pledge, LiveSafe App and Moodle Training Course

Prior to your return to campus, each person must complete the required training listed on the Campus Training Hub, including signing the Community Pledge, completing the Moodle Course, and downloading the LiveSafe app to perform daily health and safety assessments.

On-Campus Housing Billing Information for Early Arrivals

The spring 2021 semester housing agreement begins on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 for international students; Friday, January 15, 2021 for new first-year and transfer students; and on Sunday, January 17, 2021 for returning students.

Should you plan to move into campus prior to these dates to complete a travel quarantine, there is a $25 per day fee during this time period. This fee will be billed to your student account based on your date of arrival. Student-athletes arriving early for pre-season and new students participating in new student orientation are not charged for an early arrival, unless you are completing a travel quarantine in On-campus Housing.

Residents Considering a Delayed Start to Living On-Campus

If you are considering delaying your move into campus housing—or signing up for campus housing—after the semester begins, you have the following options:

1. If you are already registered in campus housing and would like to keep your assignment in the system, then you decide:
   1. To withdraw from campus housing; you will be refunded according to the schedule outlined on the Student Accounts website. This includes a 90% housing refund if withdrawn from housing in the first week of the semester; a 70% housing refund if withdrawn from housing in the second week of the semester; a 50% housing refund if withdrawn from housing in the third week of the semester; and a 0% housing refund if withdrawn in the fourth week or after in the semester; OR
   2. To hold your room, but move into campus housing at a later date in January, in February, or in March, you will be billed for the entire semester and not prorated for the weeks you were not on campus.
2. If you choose to cancel a current housing assignment, then decide to return to campus housing at a later date, we cannot hold your housing assignment for you. You will select a room based on the available housing at that time. Your housing will be prorated for the duration of the term based upon your arrival date. Of course, if your previous room is still available, we will do all we can to assist you to be housed in that room.
3. If you are currently not registered for campus housing but decide to move into housing at a later date, you will have access to select a room based on the available housing at that time. Your housing will be prorated for the duration of the term based upon your arrival date.

Retrieving Stored Belongings

Spring 2021 campus housing residents who elected to have personal belongings stored will return to campus to find their belongings delivered to their spring 2021 housing assignment.

Students who are not living on campus for the spring 2021 semester but have items to retrieve from storage will be contacted by Residence Life with options for picking up or continuing to store their belongings (continued storage may include additional fees).

Parking Pass Pick-Up

Any student who is eligible for a parking pass should register online on the Campus Security website.

Commuter Students

Parking passes for commuter students will be available for pick-up at the Campus Security Guard House, which is located on Lancaster road as you enter campus. If you do not yet have your student ID, you will need to first pick-up your ID card at the Ehinger Center Front Desk, then bring your ID to the Guard House to pick up your pass. See below if you do not have an ID card.

Resident Students

On-campus residential students will find your parking pass in your campus mailbox. Instructions for displaying your parking pass on your car will be included with your parking pass.

ID Cards

New students who do not have an ID card will be given ID cards at the time of move-in. New commuter students can pick up ID cards at the Ehinger Center Front Desk through the first week of classes.

As a new student, if you have not yet submitted a photo for an ID card, please follow the instructions outlined on this website.

Please note: Photos must be submitted at least one week prior to your move-in/arrival date on-campus to allow for ID printing.

Returning students who have lost their ID card can submit a request for a new ID via this form.

In Closing

We would like to reiterate the important action items for everyone receiving this message:

• If you are not living on campus, please complete our form to let us know if you plan to be on campus this spring semester.
• If you are living in campus housing, please confirm your move-in time on our appointment calendar: Move-in Appointment Calendar
• Once you receive the email from Bergen New Bridge Health, please submit the information requested at your earliest convenience.
• Complete the required campus health and safety training, sign the Community Pledge and download the LiveSafe app if you plan to be on campus during the spring semester.

Thank you for your attention to this important message. If you have any questions, please reach dvt@drew.edu with general questions or reslife@drew.edu for specific Housing-related questions. We look forward to speaking with you and helping to answer any questions you may have. We wish you all the very best as you prepare for the spring semester.

Thank you,
Campus Life & Student Affairs

Dear Students,

As we approach the close of the fall 2020 semester and the end of 2020, we are looking ahead to the spring 2021 semester and welcoming many of you back to campus. Please familiarize yourself with the information in this message to help you prepare for a safe and enjoyable on-campus experience. 

We would also like to invite you to a virtual Town Hall to discuss the reopening process for the spring 2021 semester. The virtual Town Hall is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. EST. All undergraduate Drew students and family members are invited. The Zoom information for this event the form to submit questions is posted at the end of this message under “Additional Information.”

If you are planning to live on campus for the spring 2021 semester, and you have not yet submitted a housing application, you are not currently registered for housing. Please complete a housing application at housing.drew.edu as soon as possible to secure a room assignment. 

Moving Into Campus Housing

Out of State & Students Traveling from International Locations

Students traveling to New Jersey from any location other than Connecticut, Delaware, New York, or Pennsylvania, are required to complete a 14-day quarantine upon your arrival. The state of New Jersey encourages a 14-day quarantine when traveling. View the most current information about quarantining upon entry to New Jersey on this state website.

Students are permitted to complete their arrival quarantine in their spring 2021 housing assignment. Please plan your arrival to campus being mindful of the quarantine timelines. During quarantine, students should spend the majority of time in their room. You are permitted to utilize the restroom, access and utilize the laundry room, exercise or relax outdoors, pick up to-go food from dining locations on campus, and visit Health Services, as needed and by appointment. Attending in-person social gatherings and spending time inside other campus buildings is inappropriate during the timeline of quarantine.

New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania Residents

Students who currently reside in New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, or Pennsylvania are not required to quarantine upon arrival to campus. 

Move-in Dates

• January 4, 2021: Move-in for international students, first-year, and transfer students (who entered fall 2020 or spring 2021), who require a 14-day quarantine* prior to New Student Orientation on January 17–19, 2021. 

*Students may choose to quarantine off-campus at a hotel or with a family member, as an on-campus quarantine is not required. If you choose to quarantine off-campus, you can move into campus housing on January 15 or 16, 2021.

• January 4–6, 2021: Move-in for returning students who require a 14-day quarantine* prior to classes beginning on January 20, 2021.

*Students may choose to quarantine off-campus as an on-campus quarantine is not required. If you choose to quarantine off-campus, you can move into campus housing on January 17, 18, or 19, 2021.

• January 15 or 16, 2021: Move-in for first-year and transfer students (who entered fall 2020 or spring 2021) who are not required to quarantine.
• January 17, 18, or 19, 2021: Move-in for returning students who are not required to quarantine.

Billing Information for Early Arrivals

The spring 2021 semester housing agreement begins on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 for international students; Friday, January 15, 2021 for new first-year and transfer students; and on Sunday, January 17, 2021 for returning students.

Should you plan to arrive on campus prior to these dates to complete a 14-day quarantine, there is a $25 per day fee for meals during this time period. This fee will be billed to your student account based on your date of arrival. Student athletes arriving early for pre-season are not charged for an early arrival, unless you are required to complete a travel quarantine.

Move-in Process

All residential students must schedule a move-in appointment to gain access to their on-campus housing assignment. Scheduling a move-in appointment not only allows our Residence Life and Health Services teams to prepare for student arrivals, but it also permits us to follow social distancing guidelines during the move-in process. 

Move-in appointments can be scheduled as early as today, but not less than 48-hours prior to your intended move-in time.

Schedule Your Move-in Appointment: Appointment Calendar

Students are permitted to bring two guests to assist during the move-in process, and every resident is granted a maximum of 3 hours to unload and move in. Guests must exit campus at the completion of the move-in process. Names of students and all guests will be recorded during move-in for contact tracing purposes. Upon entering campus, temperature readings will be taken for every person coming on campus. Please do not report to campus if you or a guest is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

Additional information about the specific arrival and check-in processes, including the key pick-up location and on-site COVID-19 testing will be shared in the coming weeks.

Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Testing

Drew University has implemented a pre-arrival testing protocol (also called “pre-entry testing”) for the spring 2021 semester.

Requirements

All residential and commuter students planning to be on campus during the spring 2021 semester are required to:

1. Submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test performed within 5 days of initial arrival to campus; and
2. Self-quarantine between the date the test is performed and the return to campus. 

Students are responsible for the cost of pre-entry testing. For testing locations in your area, check with your primary healthcare provider or with your state or local health department. For testing sites in New Jersey, check here.

PCR (preferred) and antigen tests will be accepted. Antibody tests will NOT be accepted.

Submitting results

1. An image of the test result, with the date of the test clearly visible, should be uploaded to students’ health portal by visiting drew.studenthealthportal.com. Once logged into the portal, click on Document Upload, choose the “Pre-Entry COVID-19 test result” option, and upload the test result. The upload feature for pre-entry test results will be available starting the end of December as pre-entry COVID-19 test results must be taken within 5 days prior to your move-in date.
2. Prior to coming to campus, students should check the homepage of their health portal for the status of their COVID-19 test clearance. If the test result is negative, there will be a green checkmark next to the COVID-19 test category and students will be permitted to come to campus.
3. If the test result is positive, students will not be permitted to come to campus until they meet the CDC and NJ Department of Health criteria for release from isolation (10 days from the date of the positive test if there were no symptoms; or 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms, and fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications).

Exceptions to the Pre-Entry Testing Protocol

1. If a student has had a positive COVID-19 test result within 90 days prior to their arrival, they do not need to have another test as long as they remain asymptomatic. In this case, students will be required to submit a copy of their laboratory report with the positive result.
2. Students who are enrolled as completely online for the spring 2021 semester are not residing on campus, and will not be physically present on campus at any time during the spring 2021 semester are not required to submit a pre-entry test result.

Compliance

Unless a student meets criteria for an exception as outlined above, students will NOT be permitted to move into campus housing or attend in-person classes until this requirement is met.

Retrieving Stored Belongings

Spring 2021 campus housing residents who elected to have personal belongings stored will return to campus to find your belongings delivered to your spring 2021 housing assignment.

Students who are not living on campus for the spring 2021 semester but have items to retrieve from storage will be contacted by Residence Life with options for picking up or continuing to store their belongings (continued storage may include additional fees).

Additional Information 

• Virtual Town Hall Event: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 7 p.m. EST
  • Submit your question(s) here.
  • Join Zoom Meeting
    • https://drew.zoom.us/j/96261481863
    • Meeting ID: 962 6148 1863
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• ID Cards
  • New students who do not have an ID card will be given their ID card at the time of their move-in. New commuter students can pick up their ID card at the Ehinger Center during New Student Orientation through the first week of classes.
    • As a new student, if you never submitted a photo for an ID card, please follow the instructions outlined on this website.
    • *Photos must be submitted at least one week prior to students’ move-in date to allow for ID printing.
  • Returning students who have lost their ID card can submit a request for a new ID via our form.

As always, you can find this information online at drew.edu/reslife

Thank you,

Drew University Residence Life

Dear Drew students, faculty, staff, and parents,

In this time of Thanksgiving, I want to sincerely express my gratitude to the entire Drew community for their care, perseverance, and patience. I also want to congratulate you for what has been accomplished—individually and collectively—so far this semester.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made for another unusual and challenging semester, and it has not been an easy one for our community. In spite of these challenges, scholarship is achieved, connections are forged in new and forward-looking ways, and community safety is maintained. I am truly proud of this community, and I thank you.

In this spirit, we are looking forward to and diligently planning for a spring semester with courses in both virtual and in-person formats and with an increased number of residential students on campus, as outlined in my October 7 message. As always, our goal is to provide a rich academic experience; at the same time, we are deeply committed to the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community.

We are eight weeks away from the scheduled start of the spring semester on January 20, 2021. Much can change between now and then, but we are continuing to monitor the virus, work closely with public health experts, and respond to state and federal guidance in order to carry out our plans for the spring semester. You will receive updates from the Open Campus Task Force in the weeks ahead as we confirm details for the spring semester, including our testing protocol.

Here are a few updates:

• COVID-19 Dashboard: Drew’s dashboard provides transparent and timely information about COVID-19 prevalence on campus, including our campus alert level. When our testing protocol is initiated early next year, data will be shared here regularly. View the dashboard here.

• CLA Spring Break Schedule: The CLA spring break schedule was adjusted to accommodate intermittent breaks, as opposed to a conventional stretch of days, on:

  • Wednesday, February 24

  • Thursday, March 11

  • Friday, April 2

  • Monday, April 19

Find the full academic calendar here.

• Returning Residential Student Procedures: Students should have received various communications throughout November regarding housing selection. Expect additional information, including move-in protocols for those who have selected a room for the spring semester, in the coming weeks. Please reach out to reslife@drew.edu with questions or concerns.

• Testing: Testing protocols by population type (residential student; commuter student; faculty and staff) are being finalized and reviewed, and will be forwarded to each segment of the community as we get closer to the end of the year. The general design outlined in my October 7 message remains in place, including pre-arrival testing, arrival testing, and surveillance testing of a randomized sample of individuals who are on campus.

• Summer shortTRECs: Last week, an email was sent to CLA students from the Center for Global Education outlining Drew’s approach to the summer shortTREC programs. Email globaled@drew.edu with questions or concerns.

• Commencement: As we have navigated two unprecedented semesters in 2020 and plan for a “new normal” this spring, we have not forgotten the traditions that the Drew community holds dear, including Commencement. We are hopeful that we will be able to hold a deferred celebration for the Class of 2020 and the anticipated Class of 2021 ceremony on campus at the end of the spring semester. As plans are put in place, we will continue to be in touch.

• Spring Plans for Drew Staff: Staff can expect to receive an email from the Open Campus Personnel Working Group regarding this spring semester’s procedures, protocols, and staff virtual or on-campus designations by mid-December.

While we are all weary of dealing with COVID-19, we must remain cautious and vigilant, especially as we enter the holiday season. Please observe the practices that will help us get through this pandemic, and give us the best chance to return to campus as a community: Wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands regularly, and avoid gatherings that put people—including yourself—at risk. Your and your loved ones’ health and safety should be prioritized and celebrated this holiday season.

Thank you again for your dedication to what you do at Drew, to one another, and to our community as a whole.

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving,

Thomas J. Schwarz

Interim President

October 7, 2020

Dear Drew Community,

I hope you are all well as we navigate these unprecedented times. I am writing to you today to provide an update on the current state of our plans for the spring 2021 semester.

Understanding that external circumstances could always affect our plans, it is our intention to offer courses in both virtual and in-person formats in the spring and to welcome residential students back to campus. We are writing to you about this now so that our students and families have ample time to make housing arrangements (applications available in early November) and register for courses beginning November 9.

The health and safety of the entire Drew community remain our primary concern as we make decisions about reopening campus. As we have navigated the fall semester with virtual courses and the vast majority of students residing off campus, we have addressed all manner of concerns and offered solutions and services whenever possible in an effort to flexibly adapt to this challenging time and offer our students the robust academic experience that defines a Drew education.

The University’s Open Campus Task Force has continued to meet throughout the fall and has been actively working on plans to more fully reopen campus for the spring semester. Our goal remains the same: to provide an authentic and meaningful experience for our students while prioritizing everyone’s health and safety. To date, we have successfully navigated the fall semester with a limited number of students living on campus and some employees working on campus. We have talked with our peer institutions facing similar challenges, watched and learned from the reopening of other institutions and businesses, and stayed in close contact with local and state health officials and partners in New Jersey’s Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, all so that we can provide the best service to our students and their families and be positioned to welcome a larger population to campus this spring.

Testing and Health & Safety Training

Current campus health and safety guidelines, including wearing face coverings, adhering to physical distancing, and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols, will remain in effect. As part of our updated health and safety procedures for an on-campus semester, the following COVID-19 testing and training protocols will also be in place:

• Pre-arrival & arrival testing: There will be multiple test points at the beginning of the semester for students who plan to be physically on campus. First, students will be required to demonstrate to Health Services that a COVID test has been completed, and the results were negative, within five days prior to arrival to campus. Second, students will be tested again by Drew University at the point at which they arrive on campus—at move-in for residential students, and at set days and times during the first week of classes for commuter students.

• Weekly surveillance testing: Throughout the semester, Drew will conduct weekly sampled testing of a percentage of the campus population. This will include both residential and commuter students, as well as staff and faculty. Certain higher-risk populations, such as athletes, will be subject to their own specific testing protocols.

• Symptomatic testing: Testing will be available for students experiencing symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. For any positive results, contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine procedures will be strictly followed.

• Training: Members of the Drew community must complete the required training listed on the Campus Training Hub, including signing the Community Pledge, completing the Moodle Course, and downloading the LiveSafe app to complete daily health and safety assessments.

Further details about these testing procedures, as well as a COVID-19 testing and tracking dashboard, will be available before the start of the spring semester.

Academic Calendar and Instruction

Classes will begin, as scheduled, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, for students in all three schools. In the College of Liberal Arts, spring break as scheduled is cancelled; instead, there will be one-day breaks from classes scheduled throughout the semester. Details on the specific dates will be shared in a future update. In the Caspersen School and Theological School, spring break will occur as scheduled.

Courses will be delivered in virtual, in-person, and flexible formats. Virtual courses will meet online, in-person courses will meet primarily in-person, and flexible courses will allow for students to be either virtual or in-person. These course types will be clearly delineated in the course schedule so students can make their housing and studying arrangements accordingly. Because a majority of courses will continue to be offered in a virtual format, we know that many students who choose to live on campus will be completing at least some virtual courses.

International students returning to the U.S. for the spring semester should contact International Student & Scholar Services to request travel signatures or I-20 updates.

Housing and Dining

We plan to offer both singles and doubles for rooming options to students who choose to be residential. Students intending to reside on campus for the spring must complete a housing application, which will be available in early November. Returning undergraduate students will take part in a room selection process with the priority number they received in April 2020. First-year and new transfer students will be assigned to the first-year/transfer housing area. Students will receive direct communication on this process and then re-select their housing assignments for the spring semester in the order of their priority number received in April 2020. Spring housing applications for Caspersen and Theological School students not already living in campus housing will also be available in early November. Graduate student housing is limited and priority for assignment will be given to new graduate students. All residence hall move-in will be staggered, and students who need to quarantine prior to the beginning of the spring semester will work directly with residence life staff to determine the most appropriate plan for this housing.

On-campus dining will continue to follow state guidance and industry standards for health and safety. We anticipate this will include both grab-and-go as well as in-person dining options. More information regarding meal plans and dining details will be shared with students in a subsequent message.

The current tuition and fees schedule, including room and board fees, is accessible via the Student Accounts website. If you have questions about your aid for the spring term, contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@drew.edu.

New Jersey Contact Tracing App

For those of you already in New Jersey, I urge you to download COVID Alert NJ, a free and secure mobile app available via Android and Apple app stores, which was recently released by the New Jersey Department of Health. COVID Alert NJ anonymously alerts users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Please note COVID Alert NJ is different from the LiveSafe app required of all Drew students, faculty and staff for daily symptom checking each day they are on campus as part of Drew’s health and safety plan.

In Closing

We will continue to learn from others throughout the remainder of the fall and adjust our plans accordingly if needed. You can expect additional communications throughout the fall semester as our reopening plans develop. Regardless, we already know that an on-campus spring semester will be another case of adjusting to a “new normal,” and the success of our efforts to re-open campus will depend on the cooperation of every single member of our community. As outlined in our Community Pledge, we have a shared responsibility to keep ourselves and one another safe.

I am immensely proud of our students, faculty, and staff, who have all shown resiliency, creativity, and dedication in facing the adversity posed by this pandemic. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and flexibility as we continue to move forward.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Schwarz

Interim President

Dear members of the Drew community,

Last week we shared the difficult news that our current reality requires all fall 2020 semester courses be offered online only, with most of our students studying from home. We are aware of NJ Governor Murphy’s August 13 executive order allowing schools and colleges to reopen for in-person instruction. While this does not change our plan to proceed with 100% virtual instruction, we are examining ways in which this new executive order may affect other aspects of our fall planning, and we will inform you if we determine it is appropriate to change any plans. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding during this challenging time. Please check our growing list of FAQs at our COVID-19 Information and Updates site, which also features a list of contact points should you have questions.

As you know, most of our students will study from home and many employees will continue to work remotely in order to protect the health and safety of our campus community. Our focus is on building community and delivering, as always, a rigorous, engaged educational experience, no matter your location.

A small number of students have been permitted to live on campus, and a small cohort of employees have been designated as on-site staff. In accordance with our fall reopen plan, the University will employ monitoring, contact tracing (in partnership with the Borough of Madison Health Department), the wearing of face coverings, physical distancing, and training for all community members with permission to live and/or work on campus, which you can read more about below. Of course, changes may be made in accordance with State and public health officials.

Health and Safety Training 

As part of the Drew University Campus Restart Plan, all community members are required to participate in health and safety training. With a planned virtual fall for most of the Drew community, not everyone will be on campus. However, the required training covers how all community members will engage in learning, living, and work and is expected to be completed by all students, faculty, and staff.

The required training must be completed by September 1 or prior to your next return to campus, whichever is sooner.

Drew’s Health & Safety Training Hub will guide you through the required training and provides ways for students, faculty, and staff to protect themselves, others, and the Drew community. The training involves enrolling in the Moodle course “Health and Safety Training” to view the two-part Health and Safety Training video with accompanying assessments; the review of Drew’s Campus Restart Plan; the download of the LiveSafe app to perform health assessments; and the signing of Drew’s Community Pledge. All of these items are available through Drew’s Health & Safety Training Hub.

• The Moodle course “Health and Safety Training” will familiarize you with university protocols and policies, including COVID-19 health and safety precautions, sanitization, face covering requirements, physical distancing practices, and resources available to all community members. 
• Drew faculty, staff, and students who plan to return to campus are expected to complete a daily COVID-19 health assessment prior to entering campus or leaving their residences, via the LiveSafe app. The self-screening app will enable individuals to consult a symptoms checklist for each day that they plan to be on campus, prior to leaving their residence and engaging with others. Self-screening will help students, faculty, staff, and visitors monitor their own symptoms and protect the safety of others. LiveSafe will replace the Emergency Notification System (you can expect more information about this in the coming weeks). 
• The Drew Community Pledge, a social contract for all members of the University community, recognizes that “As one Drew University community, our top priority is to stand together, act together, and commit together to uphold the health and safety of our community. It is our personal and collective responsibility to take all necessary steps to stay well and protect each other,” and describes ways in which members will protect themselves and others. 

All community members are expected to complete the training requirements, accessible via Drew’s Health & Safety Training Hub. Campus Life and Student Affairs, the University Provost’s office, and Human Resources will follow up with students, faculty, and staff who have not done so in a timely manner. 

Virtual Student Engagement

This fall semester students will stay connected and engage with classmates through multiple virtual events. We have a big week planned for new students, featuring four exciting programs (details were emailed to new students on August 12). 

Some virtual crowd favorites from the spring semester, like weekly trivia games and Black & Brown at Drew, will be back in full force for the fall, and we will debut new programs with a focus on diversity, inclusion, wellness, and of course, fun—from hot topic conversations to a virtual DJ competition. Annual traditions, such as the Activities Fair, and new community favorites, like the Launch Expo, will live on—just in virtual format. Be sure to follow @drewstuact on Instagram and read Drew Today to stay in the loop, and keep an eye out for our new and improved Virtual Survival Guide featuring all fall Drew events coming soon. 

Please be reminded that support is available to our students and employees. Our students may find information on remote learning services for academic success and support here. All Drew employees and their family members are able to access confidential mental health counseling through Guidance Resources of Compsych EAP (Employee Assistance Program); call 800-311-4327, Compweb ID: GEN311. 

With continued wishes for your health and safety,
The Drew Open Campus Task Force

Dear Members of the Drew Community,

Drew is known for its warm and vibrant campus life, the engaged faculty-student relationships, and the full residential experience, all designed to encourage and build a close collaborative community.

We had so hoped to preserve much of that this fall, but Covid-19 has made it impossible. 

As you know, dozens of Drew faculty, staff, and students have been preparing for a fall return to campus. The Open Campus Task Force endeavored to provide an authentic campus experience while prioritizing health and safety standards. Although this is my first official week as interim president, I have spent the past two months getting to better know this fine institution, and I have been thoroughly briefed on all of these planning efforts—by the former president, Cabinet, staff leaders, and members of the Board. 

We have known all along—and have repeatedly shared—that our plans were subject to the vagaries of this quickly evolving health crisis, federal and state mandates, and other external circumstances. Our reopening plan called for flexibility and nimbleness in light of that reality and it has become clear to me and to the other members of the administration and Board of Trustees that the most responsible and judicious action is to change course.

The current reality requires that all fall 2020 semester courses will be offered online only, and most of our students will study from home. 

This difficult decision is a huge disappointment to us all—most especially our incoming students and those members of the Class of 2021, for whom this is meant to be a momentous year. 

Our decision will not surprise most of you. Since we formulated our initial plan in late May, we have seen a rise in Covid-19 cases rather than the expected decline. Interstate and international travel restrictions imposed by state and federal officials create an untenable situation for families from states outside New Jersey and from countries around the world. And late last week, the Landmark Conference, our athletic conference, postponed all regular season contests and championships for the fall semester. 

With new challenges being revealed each day, bringing the Drew community together on campus will likely intensify the threat to the health and safety of students, staff, and faculty, as well as our families, friends, and others with whom we interact.

Of course, Drew is not alone in making this difficult decision. Covid-19 has caused a wave of plan reversals from many of our peer institutions across the country, from The College of New Jersey to Dickinson College to Georgetown University to Pitzer College. In New Jersey, Princeton University and Rutgers University have planned virtual models for some time. Like them, we believe that this reality-driven all virtual model will allow us to provide a stable and engaged educational experience for all of our students this fall, while giving us the best chance to safely return to in-person living and learning in the spring.

The details are outlined below. 

Academics and Engagement

Online classes will begin, as scheduled, August 24, and will continue online throughout the entire semester. We will revert to the original academic calendar, which allows a fall break for CLA and CSGS at the end of September, and has courses meeting on the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. 

Your dedicated and engaged faculty members have been working diligently since May to prepare for any eventuality with regard to fall course delivery and mentoring activities. This has included professional development activities associated with online teaching and investment in technology and software that will enhance our ability to continue to offer the rigorous, personalized academic experience you expect from a Drew education. Faculty members will be available to you through virtual office hours, departmentally-sponsored speakers and events will continue, academic support services will be available, library materials and support will be accessible, and activities that would have been extremely difficult to manage with both in-person physical distancing and remote participants are being reimagined for maximum effectiveness in a virtual environment and to include expanded networking and connection opportunities for all student participants. 

Because a significant portion of student life and educational growth happens outside the classroom, Campus Life and Student Affairs staff will continue to build online programming and engagement experiences so that much of the personal development that typically takes place in person will happen virtually. We have learned from our virtual experience this spring, unsurprisingly, that our community remains engaged. For many of you these community engagement experiences are among the reasons you chose Drew in the first place, and they will continue to be available to you this fall despite the modified formats. 

Tuition and Finances

As the financial impact of this pandemic grows and the ways in which it is affecting the institution and all members of our community become more clear, we have also made the decision to decrease tuition in the College of Liberal Arts back to the academic year 2019–2020 level. This means that the announced CLA tuition increase will be reversed; there will be no tuition increase for the academic year 2020–2021. New statements with adjusted financial assistance and tuition modifications will be available to you by August 14; accordingly, we have extended the due date for tuition payments to August 21. We have made this decision for the benefit of our students and their families, even though the University is experiencing increased costs as we respond to the crisis and continue to provide a rigorous and engaged remote learning experience. 

On-Campus Residency

For those students who make up our vibrant residential community, we will continue to do all we can to hold your assigned room for the spring semester. This fall semester, we will open on-campus residency for only a small number of students: 

• Students currently living on campus, and Graduate and Theological students already assigned to campus housing.
• International students. 
• Students who have already planned to engage in independent academic research or creative work this fall that requires the use of physical facilities on campus. (Prior to requesting this exemption, please reach out to your faculty mentor. Approval from your mentor and the Provost’s Office will be required.)
• Students with accessibility issues, housing or food insecurities.

If you feel as if you meet the above requirements, please follow the instructions and complete the application by Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Those who apply for housing will be notified on a rolling basis if they are approved, and all other housing assignments will be terminated on Monday, August 10.  

Obviously, this is an evolving situation, and you can expect additional information and refinements to follow in an ongoing manner. Future decisions about a variety of issues and concerns will be posted among the FAQs. When possible, we will reach out to you directly to share emerging decisions and updates, but you should visit the FAQ site regularly to keep current.

I offer my thanks to the entire Drew community for your continued understanding, support, and flexibility throughout this difficult time, and I look forward to getting to know you—students, faculty, staff, alums, families, and friends—as I begin my tenure during this extraordinary period. Though certainly a disappointment, it is my hope that this decision has provided some clarity during an unsettled time.

With best wishes for your health and safety,

Thomas J. Schwarz

Interim President

Last week we shared instructional updates, course schedule details and the student intentions for course access action items in preparation for the fall semester. As we continue to plan for the fall, we have closely monitored and liaised with state and local officials and have submitted our Restart Plan to the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our top priority.

As we have done throughout the summer, we will communicate any new information with you directly, as well as update the COVID-19 Return to Campus website.

Dear Drew community members,

I know this has been a very hard spring and summer, and my thoughts are with you all. Over the last several weeks of this unique summer, we have shared updates about our re-opening plan for our equally unique fall semester. Our Open Campus Task Force continues its extensive and diligent work preparing for the coming semester, and we have shared with you the guidelines for campus health and safety—our first priority—as well as critical information for our residential community, including staggered move-in protocols. You may find all of that information and more at the COVID-19 Return to Campus website.

Even as we share these updates, we are acutely aware that the circumstances around us are changing rapidly—sometimes by the hour. COVID-19 cases are increasing across the country, and New Jersey has issued an incoming travel advisory for individuals traveling from 31 states, as well as internationally. We are learning more each day about virus spread and our testing capabilities and turnaround times.

We are in regular conversation with local and state officials about the viability of our goal to re-open campus and are monitoring all developments that will impact our ability to enact our plan. Most notably, New Jersey is currently in Stage 2, but our plan to re-open is based on New Jersey moving to Stage 3, the stage at which most in-person instructional activities can resume.

We have endeavored to make clear in our communications that the campus experience in the face of a global pandemic will be very different and unlike anything that we have ever experienced—physical distancing, limited social events, required face coverings, no residence hall visitations, etc. And our return-to-campus effort has had to include planning for situations that would result in our not being able to resume in-person on-campus living and learning. As we continue to move forward with our institutional re-opening planning and the beginning of the semester draws near, we remind you that the plans that have been communicated to date are still subject to change. We understand how uncomfortable this uncertainty is, especially as you are eager to return to a new normal. We will continue to provide you with accurate and timely information as we determine what can realistically, sustainably, and safely be accomplished for the fall semester. We appreciate your continued understanding and flexibility, and know that you will each use this information to make the decisions you think are best for your own health, safety, and educational goals.

Below is academic and instructional information relevant to all students, commuters and residential, including a reminder about the revised academic calendar and information about updated course schedules.

Instructional Updates

As outlined in our earlier communications, Drew’s current instructional approach for the fall involves changes to the academic calendar and to course delivery formats. This flexible approach prioritizes the health and safety of all community members.

Courses will be either hybrid (a mix of in-person and online sessions) or entirely online. Hybrid courses are available to students who are not able to be physically on campus because they will be taught in technology-enhanced classrooms that will allow for both in-person and remote students to attend during the scheduled in-person sessions. Course schedules in all three schools are being updated to reflect course modality (hybrid or online) and meeting information (see below for school specific information). There will be some access to campus spaces for studying and completion of online coursework for both commuter and residential students, but usage of this space must be limited in ways that are consistent with New Jersey state mandates and University protocols for physical distancing and cleaning.

Regardless of course modality, all faculty members have been working diligently since our pivot to virtual learning in the spring to prepare for fall instruction that could be hybrid or entirely online. Students can expect dedicated and engaged faculty experts in their physical or virtual classrooms, who continue to serve as mentors and deliver an academic experience rich with the hallmarks of a rigorous Drew education.

Course Schedule Details

Theological School

All students should have already received a message from the Theological School Academic Dean’s Office outlining information about course modalities and the course schedule. You may read that message here.

College of Liberal Arts and Caspersen School of Graduate Studies

The course schedules for CLA and CSGS are currently being updated with information about the format in which classes will be delivered—hybrid or entirely online. Only in rare circumstances has the day/time information for a class been changed. You should expect to attend your courses at the days and times that are listed in the course schedule; no courses are available to be completed online at days and times of your own choosing. Most schedule updates will be completed by the end of the day today; circumstances may warrant additional changes over the next few weeks, so you should continue to check your schedule regularly.

• As a reminder, the first three weeks of instruction, August 24 through September 11, will be entirely online.
• Courses that are designated as hybrid will include a mix of in-person and online course meetings between September 14 and November 20; most hybrid classes will be meeting in-person one day a week, with other weekly meetings occurring online. For each day of the week that a hybrid course meets in-person, there will be a classroom assigned. For each day of the week that a hybrid course meets online, the location of the course will be listed as online. Because hybrid courses have all been scheduled in technology-enabled rooms, in-person meetings of hybrid courses remain available in a remote manner to students who are not able or choose not to attend in person.
• Courses that are designated as entirely online will meet remotely for the entire semester; the course type will be listed as online and the location of the course will be listed as online.

Our goal in sharing this information with you now is to allow you to understand the flow of your semester, and, if you wish to do so, make changes to your course schedule to better address personal needs. Please reach out to your faculty advisors or program conveners if you have questions that are specific to any schedule changes that you are considering.

Action Required: Student Intentions for Course Access

Theological School

In the previously mentioned email to all Theological School students, students were asked to review their registrations and make changes according to individual needs, and to report the likely mode of attendance for any hybrid courses using the Fall 2020 Theological School Mode of Attendance form.

College of Liberal Arts and Caspersen School of Graduate Studies

Given that hybrid courses will continue to be available in a remote manner to students who are not able or choose not to attend in person, many of you have inquired about how you should indicate that you plan to complete your coursework remotely this fall. Please use the Fall 2020 CLA/CSGS Mode of Attendance form to share with us your likely mode of attendance for hybrid courses. The data that you share will be used for planning purposes only; we know that as plans and circumstances evolve, so may your decisions. Faculty members teaching your courses will share more information with you about course policies associated with attendance and participation once classes begin.

If you are currently a residential student and are now rethinking the decision to reside on campus, you need to inform Residence Life of your intentions using the Fall 2020 Student Residency Confirmation Form found at housing.drew.edu under the “Forms” tab. Because on-campus housing costs are included when determining your eligibility for financial aid, you should contact the Office of Financial Assistance to determine if there is any change to your award as a result of this decision.

While returning students are invited to move back to campus beginning August 19, know you have the option to return to campus at a pace that works best for you and your family’s comfort during the three-week period of entirely online instruction. In order to maximize health and safety, all residents are required to schedule their move in.

Finally, as noted earlier, face coverings are required to be worn on campus. Accommodation requests relating to COVID-19 and/or any other permanent or temporary disability will require registration with the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR). OAR offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with a variety of disabilities, including those related to mental or physical health, attention, learning, vision, and hearing. If you are unsure whether you qualify for accommodations, you are encouraged to register with OAR or contact Dana Giroux, director of Accessibility Resources.

Prior to our return to campus, you will receive other information regarding health and safety training for all community members, instructions on how to join in Drew’s community pledge to uphold health and safety, and a downloadable “Restart Plan” guide, based upon the re-opening plan that Drew submitted to the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. If you have questions, please feel free to use this contact resource to reach out to the appropriate source.

As we are all aware, the one certainty about our fall semester is that it will truly be different from any other. We remain proud of and grateful for our Drew community’s spirit and resolve, and we will continue to be in touch.

Sincerely,
MaryAnn Baenninger
President

We continue to update the COVID-19 Return to Campus website with our plans for the fall semester, which includes the posting of our Restart Plan, following the guidance and standards issued by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) for institutions of higher education. In the next weeks, we will disseminate this plan in guide form to the Drew community.

As mentioned, further updates in the weeks to come will include, among others:

• A community pledge to uphold the health and safety of our community, as well as information on how to report unsafe behavior.
• Training for sanitization and social distancing practices and protocols for students and employees.
• Academic guidelines including course schedule, reduced capacity instruction and hybrid offerings.

As always, we will continue to update you on progress on a rolling basis via email and at the COVID-19 Return to Campus website, as we prepare for the fall semester. All of our planning remains responsive to the latest guidance from the State, the CDC and public health officials. We are looking forward to welcoming the community back!

Dear Drew community members,

Last week I shared more details about the opening plans for the fall semester, which included information about general campus health and hygiene protocols, an overview of academics and instruction, and move-in dates for residential students. You may find all of that information and more at the COVID-19 Return to Campus website.

Today I write to you with an overview of the topics about which you may expect to hear from us in the weeks to come, before the return to campus begins in mid-August:

• A community pledge to uphold the health and safety of our community, as well as information on how to report unsafe behavior.
• Training for sanitization and social distancing practices and protocols for students and employees.
• Quarantine protocols for those community members who may be returning to campus from out-of-state hot-spots.
• Academic guidelines including course schedule, reduced capacity instruction, and alternating/hybrid offerings.
• Drew’s full reopening plan, which, as with all New Jersey higher education reopen plans, will be reviewed by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education in light of the “Restart Standards for all New Jersey Institutions of Higher Education” issued on June 18, 2020.
• And more.

Please note, all residential students have received a communication with specific information about move-in and quarantining protocols for residential students.

As a reminder, teaching will involve a mix of in-person, hybrid, and remote learning, and all courses with in-person components will be designed to accommodate students remotely if they are unable to join us on campus. Forthcoming updates will include a checklist of action items for students who prefer to be virtual for the fall semester.

And for those who may have concerns regarding the guidelines released from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which prohibit international students from remaining in the United States if they are completing a course load that is 100 percent online: Because Drew has adopted a hybrid model of instruction for the fall semester—a mixture of online and in person classes—it appears at this time that our students will overall be unaffected by this news.

As always, we will continue to update you on progress on a rolling basis via email and at the COVID-19 Return to Campus website, as we prepare for the fall semester. I send you all sustaining good wishes for health and safety.

Sincerely,
MaryAnn Baenninger
President

Dear members of the Drew community,

Last Monday, guidelines were released from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which prohibit international students from remaining in the United States if they are completing a course load that is 100 percent online. I am writing today to confirm our firm and unequivocal support for our international community of global citizen students from around the world, as well as our international staff and faculty, who greatly enrich our community.

This information was not expected, nor does it aid in the alleviation of the challenges our international students already grapple with in the face of this unprecedented global pandemic. However, because Drew has adopted a hybrid model of instruction for the fall semester—a mixture of online and in person classes—it appears at this time that our students will overall be unaffected by this news. Nonetheless, we do not support this policy decision and are working with our colleagues at other institutions and in professional organizations to express our opposition, and to advocate for our international students with our local and state representatives. We know that SEVP and ICE continue to develop interim policy guidance, and we are diligently following these developments so that we may share the most up-to-date information with current students.

Drew is very proud of our top 10 ranking among baccalaureate colleges for international student enrollment by the Institute of International Education. We open our doors widely because we value the excellence, engagement, and diversity our international students bring to The Forest.

To our international students in all three schools at Drew: We are here to support you, and we will continue to closely monitor SEVP guidance to help you prepare for the fall semester. Please stay in touch with us by emailing ISSS@drew.edu; you may also find some FAQ at this website.

Sincerely,

MaryAnn Baenninger
President

Hello, faculty and staff! Since mid-March, DVT has provided weekly Wednesday updates, meant to be helpful touchstones as we navigate this time. The Open Campus Task Force is making steadfast progress toward our return to campus in August, and as part of that progress, has pledged to update the campuswide community each Friday. Last Friday’s message, for example, included information on general health protocols. It follows, then, that we’ll fold our Wednesday updates into these Friday communications moving forward, so our whole campus community receives news, briefings and updates together at one time. This week, you’ll receive both this Wednesday update as well as a campuswide update on Friday. You can find all our community messages related to DVT here at the COVID-19 Information & Updates site.

Changemaker of the Week

This week’s Changemaker is: President MaryAnn Baenninger! Here’s just some of what MaryAnn’s colleagues had to say about her contribution to Drew during DVT:

• “MaryAnn has led senior administrators, staff, faculty, students, trustees and the community through this pandemic. Her leadership had been indispensable and without pause. Additionally, she has brought constituents together on campus—that is unprecedented in most higher education models. In fact, this collaboration has guided some of the narratives within the Middle States Self Study.” 
• “Personally she has guided many of us to reach new professional growth while softly pushing us to strive for more. Her leadership, mentorship and unrelenting support will be missed.” 
• “What MaryAnn has made possible over the last five months is nothing short of spectacular and she has managed to set up shared services with Saint Elizabeth’s University at the same time. This is pretty amazing!”
• “MaryAnn has been a fearless leader and friend through this trying and uncertain time. She has always led with fairness, compassion, and certainty. She has allowed us to explore new possibilities within ourselves and the University. I will be forever grateful for all that she has taught me.”
• “I truly admire MaryAnn and the unwavering strength and leadership she has demonstrated over these last few months in particular. She’s led Drew through challenging circumstances and continues to support us as we plan for the next chapter of our University. I am proud to have served this institution, our staff, and our students under her leadership.”
• “MaryAnn has approached DVT as she approaches all tasks—with knowledge, logic, organization, and dedication. She acknowledges problems and roadblocks and addresses them systematically in a way that moves us all closer to our end goals.” 
• “Her work on DVT has prepared us to weather this challenging moment for Drew, and from her we have learned a lot about how to approach these kinds of challenges in the future.” 

Congratulations and thank you, MaryAnn!

DSA General Meeting
Save the date for the next DSA General Meeting: Thursday, July 16 at noon.

Launch Your Future

Our Launch slogan is getting an update! You may have noticed on social media and other digital platforms that we now “Launch Your Future” at Drew. As we begin our new recruitment cycle, you’ll notice this shift across the board, in print and digital communications, and we’ll be in touch with resources and toolkits so you may refresh your own related work. Thank you!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips 

As DVT continues, it is important to take care of and manage your personal wellness. 

• Check-in with Therese Zimmer-Farid, Staff Counselor/Social Worker, as she encourages us to stay solution-focused when coping with anxiety. While it is best to work with a therapist, you can begin to change your mindset, approach to concerns, and gain some personal insight with resources such as 7 Key Solution-Focused Strategies and 7 Best Solution-Focused Therapy Techniques & Worksheets.
• Join a Book Club this summer. Student Engagement presents Decolonizing Your Bookshelf, a book club that centralizes authors of color. The book club is underway, but you can still sign up today! The first chosen book is So You Want to Talk About Race by Iljeoma Oluo.
• Sign up for a free weekly HIIT fitness class every Tuesday (Beginner-Intermediate) and Thursday (Intermediate-Advanced) at 5:30 pm with Drew alumna, Angela Vitellaro C’11. These free fitness classes are sponsored by The Office of Alumni and Parent Communities.

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @drewuniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @drewstuact and more!
• Check out the latest Drew news at drew.edu/stories.
• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu. 

Dear Drew community members,

At Drew, in all of the places each of us calls home, and throughout the world, we have had a spring and summer unlike any other. We are all eager for a near future that has some semblance of normalcy, even as we balance that vision with our community obligations for health and safety. Today, I write to update you on the extensive planning that has been happening on campus since we announced our intention to resume on-campus teaching, learning and living for the fall semester. The plan allows for a staggered move-in for optimum safety protocols; remote classes beginning August 24 and lasting for the first three weeks of the semester as individuals transition back to campus; in-person instruction for 10 weeks beginning September 14; an end to campus residency, with a staggered move-out, Thanksgiving week; and a return to remote instruction after the week of Thanksgiving. Since that announcement, our Open Campus Task Force has charged planning groups, established principles and goals to guide decision-making, and is working steadfastly to prepare for a return to campus this fall. Planning is well underway and will be complete later in July.

On June 18, 2020, the State of New Jersey issued “Restart Standards for all New Jersey Institutions of Higher Education.” These standards give New Jersey colleges and universities guidelines for developing reopening plans in 10 key on-campus functional areas—instruction, residential housing, computer laboratories, libraries, research, student services, transportation, dining, international travel, and athletics.

We are finalizing our reopening plan in light of this guidance. The plan, when complete (as is the case for all New Jersey higher education plans) will be reviewed by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education in New Jersey, and will be available for members of our community and others to read prior to our return to campus. In the interim, we will continue to update you on progress on a rolling basis via email and at the COVID-19 Return to Campus website. Today’s update, which will be of particular interest to our students and their families, shares information about general campus health and hygiene protocols, an overview of academics and instruction, and move-in dates for residential students.

The Drew community is enthusiastically looking forward to being back on campus, and to resuming normalcy. This semester, however, will be like none we have ever experienced. For example, teaching will involve a mix of in-person, hybrid, and remote learning, and all courses with in-person components will be designed to accommodate students remotely if they are unable to join us on campus. All activities, including co-curricular experiences for student engagement must allow for necessary physical distancing. There will be state-mandated capacity limitations on dining that will require us to feature primarily take-out, staff-served hot meals, and grab-and-go options.

These and other changes on the institutional level are alone insufficient to protect the health and safety of members of our campus community. It is equally important for each of us to adjust our personal behavior. Please remember that while the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 may be small for most students, individual community members may be at much greater risk. Epidemiological studies are also beginning to show that young people may be at a greater risk than previously thought. The Drew community must work together to protect each other and reduce the risks associated with COVID-19 through a spirit of shared care and responsibility. To that end, in a forthcoming update, all community members will be asked to take part in a community pledge to uphold the health and safety of our community.

As we finalize our operating plans, we will try to answer as many of your questions as we can. Below are some highlights that we hope will help with your planning and expectations.

General Campus Health and Hygiene

• We all must contribute to a healthy and safe environment on campus. As such, and as mandated by the New Jersey Governor’s Executive Order No. 155, Drew will require everyone to wear a face covering in classrooms, offices, and all other public or shared spaces. Large gatherings will need to be avoided, and we must maintain six feet of separation when feasible, while continuing to practice good personal hygiene.
• Drew has implemented heightened cleaning and disinfection protocols to ensure both the health and well-being of our community and compliance with all aspects of the state mandate. Cleaning kits and sanitization products will also be available in high-traffic and designated public and multi-use areas.
• Regarding screening, testing, and contact tracing: All students and employees will be required to conduct daily self-screenings to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, as required by the NJ higher education guidance, and in accord with the Madison Health Department. Recently released CDC guidance affirms that self-monitoring is of critical importance. Testing should be focused on symptomatic individuals or on those who may have been exposed to COVID-19. The CDC does not recommend entry testing for returning students, faculty, and staff. As such, the university will provide testing for symptomatic students in collaboration with our university physicians through the Atlantic Health System, and we expect to be fully capable of providing testing on-site in our Health Center, pending the availability of testing supplies.
• Regarding quarantine and isolation protocols: Under current public health guidelines, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate until cleared by medical personnel. The first isolation option is to quarantine at home. If a residential student is unable to return home, isolation and quarantine spaces will be provided for students; food, health monitoring, and other support will be provided, and students should be able to continue studies remotely.
• When a positive diagnosis occurs, our practices will include contact tracing in collaboration with the Madison Department of Health. Close contacts of anyone who tests positive must quarantine for 14 days.

Undergraduate and Graduate Academics and Instruction Overview

• An authentic Drew experience is achieved in a number of different ways. This fall, we will have to live the authentic Drew experience in accordance with state-mandated requirements that ensure the health and safety of all community members.
• Some classes will meet in person multiple times each week, while most classes will assume a hybrid structure with some in-person sessions and some remote sessions. For example, classes may meet in-person one day a week, while other weekly meetings happen remotely. A select number of courses will be delivered in a completely remote manner. The specific structure of each course will be determined by the delivery method that best supports the learning goals of that course.
• As required by the State of New Jersey, when classes meet in person, classrooms will be set up to ensure six feet physical distancing, and face coverings will be required at all times.
• We understand that some students will be unable to join us on campus. Therefore, all in-person courses will be taught in tech-mediated classrooms to also allow for students who are not able to be on campus to participate remotely. This structure allows for minimal disruptions to continuing students who are not able to attend in-person classes this fall. Regardless, we will identify in the course schedule how courses will be taught so students wishing to adjust their schedules may do so. The date on which the revised schedule will be available will be shared in a future update.

Move-in Timeline

Of importance to many residential students is the timeline for move-in, just below. Next week, our residential students will receive a communication regarding the move-in process, including a link to select a move-in timeblock, as well as information regarding current travel and quarantine guidance. For now, you may mark your calendars and begin to make travel plans. We recommend you coordinate with your roommate(s) or suitemate(s) now to allow for a staggered move-in process.

• August 11, 2020: Resident Assistants, Orientation leaders, and International Ambassadors; fall NCAA athletes (new and returning fall athletes)
• August 15–16, 2020: New international students
• August 16–18, 2020: New first-year and transfer residents
• August 19–23, 2020: All returning residents; additional move-in dates will be available for returning students prior to the scheduled start of in-person instruction on September 14.

All residents are required to complete the “Fall 2020 Residency Confirmation” form found through the myhousing portal in order to notify us of your intentions for on-campus housing.

Residential graduate and theological students will be contacted directly regarding move-in logistics, including housing assignments.

Residential Life Parameters, What to Bring, Meal Plans & More

In order to comply with New Jersey restart standards, we’ve established basic parameters for residence life in this “new normal.” While guidance may continually change, we know that all residents must follow these basic parameters, which can be found at the “Residential Life Guidelines” webpage of the COVID-19 Return to Campus site.

At that webpage, you’ll also find a list of what to bring to campus—and what commuting students should have on hand at home—as well as information about dining and meal plans. One note to highlight on this latter topic: The all-access meal plan will be replaced with a 19-meal per week plan. Residents who had previously selected the all-access meal plan will be automatically moved into the 19-meal per week plan. Residential students may view and select meal plan options through the myhousing portal, under the “Dining” tab.

As we both re-imagine and re-establish living and learning in a new way in The Forest, we remind you that the health and safety of the Drew community is our top priority. Our plans may be updated—or even adjusted—as new information becomes available, or because of circumstances beyond our control, such as a new New Jersey Executive Order. We will, of course, share with you details and updates, via email communications as well as through our COVID-19 Return to Campus website, as we continue the important work of preparing for the fall.

While I will no longer be at Drew when you arrive, I—and all of the Open Campus Task Force—will work very hard during this month of July to ensure that The Forest is ready to welcome you when you return, or to welcome you for the first time.

Sincerely,
MaryAnn Baenninger
President

Good merry Wednesday to all! 

Per the Governor’s Executive Order No. 155, Drew University requires the “use of face coverings [when on campus] for faculty, staff, students, and visitors, except when doing so would inhibit the individual’s health.” This includes when you are in a shared or open office space, however not in an individual office if by yourself. Of course, this applies to all of our colleagues who are on-campus during DVT, through August 7. We’ll follow up with you regarding how this fits with our campus health and hygiene policy as it relates to our return to campus for the fall semester. If you have any questions, please contact dvt@drew.edu. 

Changemaker of the Week

This week’s Changemaker is: Doug Sage, Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach! Here’s what Doug’s colleagues had to say about their contribution to Drew and DVT:

• “Doug has been a real positive leader for the coaches and athletic staff with his weekly coffee club discussions. He has covered a wide range of important subjects that have made all of us dig deep in thought about answers and solutions to some very serious topics. In short, Doug Sage has made us all better during this critical time period.”
• “When DVT started back in March Doug worked with Head Coach Darryl Keckler to move their student-athletes leadership meetings, “Win the Ranger Way,” to virtual on Zoom. Coach Sage and Keckler offered 3 different hourly meetings every Tuesday and Thursday to accommodate more student-athletes. After a few successful weeks with the student-athletes, Doug created a Wednesday morning coach “Coffee Club” where he discussed the leadership topics they were working on with our athletes. As time progressed, Doug took it upon himself to grow these Wednesday morning “Coffee Clubs” into engaging opportunities for professional development for our Head Coaches. He introduced works from Jon Gordon, Simon Sinek, Brenee Brown, Les Brown, and Angela Duckworth, among others. We worked on building a positive culture, our core values, recruiting philosophies, etc, as well as addressing current events affecting our Drew community. Our entire department has grown closer and stronger as a group during these challenging times thanks to Doug Sage’s efforts on our behalf and that’s why I believe he deserves this honor.”
• “He has been working tirelessly to keep the department engaged and involved with new ideas. Since DVT began Doug has led weekly meetings bringing new topics to the table that all department members can engage with. It has bonded our department more while we are so far from each other.”
• “Doug has been creative and thoughtful while engaging the entire athletic department and keeping everyone involved in professional development.”
• “Doug has done a tremendous job bringing our athletic department together and helping to make us stronger throughout our DVT time. He has challenged us to grow and learn each week as well as get to know each other better so that we can become stronger when we come back to campus.”

Congratulations and thank you, Doug!

Has someone positively impacted your work during DVT? Been a part of a project that was more pleasant because of a particular person’s attitude or manner? Noticed someone stepping up—or out of their lane—in a positive and meaningful way? Please nominate them for Changemaker of the Week, so we can spread the positivity—just as our colleague Doug does!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips 

As DVT continues, it is important to take care of and manage your personal wellness. Look for weekly resources, and please share your own tips! 

• Faculty and Staff are invited to join the Counseling Center on Tuesday, July 7 at 2 pm for drop-in guided meditation. Meditation on zoom begins promptly at 2:05 pm ending at 2:25 pm. This upcoming theme for Tuesday’s session is a forest meditation. 
• Join a Book Club this summer. Student Engagement presents Decolonizing Your Bookshelf, a book club that centralizes authors of color. Sign up today as the book club starts in early July. The first chosen book is So You Want to Talk About Race by Iljeoma Oluo.
• Sign up for a weekly HIIT fitness class every Tuesday (Beginner-Intermediate) and Thursday (Intermediate-Advanced) at 5:30 pm with Drew alumna, Angela Vitellaro C’11. These free fitness classes are sponsored by The Office of Alumni and Parent Communities.
• Continue to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion learning. American University’s School of Education’s recently hosted a conference Uplifting Women and Girls of Color Through Antiracist Pedagogy, Practice, and Policies. Check out the free webinars, connect with speakers, and view all resources. 
• Check out these free weekly support groups and resources sponsored by NJ Hope and Healing. 

DSA Office Hours Summer Break

• Drew Staff Association weekly office hours with Kristin Bruno-Bates, chair, and Joshua Phillips, incoming chair, will be going on summer break. If you would like to meet with them, please email dsa@drew.edu to schedule a meeting. DSA Virtual Happy Hours are on summer break. We’ll toast again in the fall!

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @drewuniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @drewstuact and more!
• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home wellness tips. 
• Check out the latest Drew news at drew.edu/stories.
• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu. 

Last week, we began our review of the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) standards issued for institutions of higher education as they begin resuming campus operations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue our work on our reopen plan, which includes health and safety protocols, orientation guidance, instruction requirements, and much more.

Many students and families in the community are awaiting information on move-in and housing for the fall semester, and we plan to communicate our specific and comprehensive guidelines, including information about the staggered move-in schedule and residence life protocols, to the Drew community next week.

Further updates in the month of July will include health and safety protocols for students and employees, as well as guidelines for campus life, academics, work life, and more. All together, these guidelines form our “return to campus” plan.

As everywhere, life on campus next fall will not be as it was before; it will be necessary to adapt to new ways of interacting as we uphold our campus health and safety. Nevertheless, we are looking forward to welcoming the community back!

Wednesday greetings to you all. Let’s start the update with a quick word about staff recognition: 

Now that fall planning is underway, we’re looking to meaningfully honor our staff whose service anniversaries were marked this year—as well as take nominations for service award contenders—since we were unable to have our traditional staff recognition luncheon this year due to COVID-19. Please keep an eye out for an email.

Changemaker of the Week

This week’s Changemaker is: Candace Reilly, Special Collections Associate, Methodist Archives/Library! Here’s what Candace’s colleagues had to say about their contribution to Drew and DVT:

• “Candace has long been a champion for Drew students. This is no more evident than the announcement that one of our student workers, Jessica Corjuo, won the Student Worker of the Year for the whole state of New Jersey! It was through Candace’s hard work, care, and mentoring that Jessica was able to thrive in her position in the Archives. Candace works closely with a lot of our student workers in the department and has helped the students to learn and grow on the job, truly exemplifying what Drew and Launch are all about!”
• “Candace put her efforts and energies into making the Archives website and social media as welcoming, enjoyable, and helpful space as she helps make the physical building. Through the creation of a “virtual” Reading Room, constant updates to the Drew community through blog posts, and an ever-popular Instagram account (@drewarchives), Candace has transferred her amazing skills from in-person to online with great success.”
• “Our faculty and students have benefited from her work by being able to still access resources from the archives through various platforms. This includes direct guest lectures in classes that Candace and I run, giving people a chance to “see” the archival material and rare books even from a distance. I am so proud to have Candace working for me in the Special Collections department and cannot think of a better person to receive this recognition as a Changemaker!”

Congratulations and thank you, Candace!

Has someone positively impacted your work during DVT? Been a part of a project that was more pleasant because of a particular person’s attitude or manner? Noticed someone stepping up—or out of their lane—in a positive and meaningful way? Please nominate them for Changemaker of the Week, so we can spread the positivity—just as our colleague Candace does!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips 

As DVT continues, it is important to take care of and manage your personal wellness. Look for weekly resources, and please share your own tips! 

• Faculty and staff are invited to join the Counseling Center every Tuesday at 2 p.m. for drop-in guided meditation. Meditation on Zoom begins promptly at 2:05 pm ending at 2:25 p.m. The schedule is as follows: 
  • June 30 – Safe and Comfortable Space Guided Meditation
• Sign up for a weekly HIIT fitness class on Thursdays, beginning Thursday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m. with Drew alumna Angela Vitellaro C’11.
• Join a Book Club this summer. Student Engagement presents Decolonizing Your Bookshelf, a book club that centralizes authors of color. Sign up by June 29 to start the book club in early July. Our first book is So You Want to Talk About Race by Iljeoma Oluo.

DSA Office Hours Summer Break

• Drew Staff Association weekly office hours with Kristin Bruno-Bates, chair, and Joshua Phillips, incoming chair, will be going on summer break. If you would like to meet with them, please email dsa@drew.edu to schedule a meeting. DSA Virtual Happy Hours are on summer break. We’ll toast again in the fall!

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @drewuniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @drewstuact and more!
• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home wellness tips. 
• Check out the latest Drew news at drew.edu/stories.
• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu. 

On June 18, the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) issued standards for institutions of higher education as they begin resuming campus operations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes health and safety protocols, orientation guidance, instruction requirements, and much more. Drew is reviewing the guidance to ensure these requirements are factored into our planning and operations. We will follow up at this site with our required reopening plan. Read the executive order here.

The Open Campus DVT Task Force and the DVT-Personnel Working Group have been working on principles, guidelines, procedures, and protocols to open the campus based on the fall plans outlined by President Baenninger in her letter sent May 23. Two of the principles of opening campus are to provide an authentic Drew experience for students, and at the same time to protect the health of community members. To achieve the goals of these principles in tandem, we will need to provide face-to-face instruction and student engagement to the extent that we can, and at the same time keep the campus density as low as possible for social distancing purposes.

Decisions about staff roles and working on or off campus will be made with the above principles in mind, and with the understanding that some staff work requires face-to-face contact with students while other staff work can continue remotely. The DVT-P Working group is meeting with the Cabinet early next week to discuss how these principles will be implemented and how to seek input from staff, as well as to begin to design an interactive communication plan for staff.

Because faculty members have already been told about plans for face-to-face instruction during the fall semester, instructors will receive an email very soon with information outlining how those who are at higher risk for severe illness from Covid-19 can seek accommodations. Staff members can expect a communication sharing their designations for the fall (Virtual, Modified-Virtual, On-Site) the second week in July. Once these designations are made, the accommodation process will be available to staff members as well.

As part of the plan, the DSA will host a Q&A forum, staffed by the DVT-P Working Group, that will be held shortly after staff-designations are shared. As plans for this forum are confirmed, they will be shared via this Wednesday update.

As staff await further guidance, we ask that they consider ways to continue contactless and virtual work if at all possible, so that all staff community members will be prepared for upcoming conversations with supervisors, their divisional vice presidents, and in the Q&A forum noted above.

Changemaker of the Week

This week’s Changemaker is: Jack Margiotta, Facilities Service Coordinator! Here’s what Jack’s colleagues had to say about his contribution to Drew and DVT:

• “Jack has taken on a leadership role in the Facilities Department by working more closely with the maintenance, custodial, and grounds teams as well as supervising student workers. He has been keeping everyone focused during a tough and ever-changing environment and he is committed to keeping the work moving forward. He consistently has a great attitude and is willing to work with everyone to prepare the campus for the students returning.”

• “Jack shows up to campus every day with a smile to provide the necessary support to all the Facilities personnel working on campus. He responds to requests for service from our on-campus student community, he leads the Facilities student employee team each day, works with Public Safety on the general oversight of the campus and assists faculty and staff both on-campus and off-campus as needed. He is integral to keeping the Facilities Department running.”

• “Jack has done an outstanding job keeping Facilities coordinated during DVT. He has supervised the student work crew in preparing buildings for reopening in August, all times with a smile on his face.”

• “He’s been very helpful and supportive to everyone who comes by or calls Facilities looking for support.”

Congratulations and thank you, Jack!

Has someone positively impacted your work during DVT? Been a part of a project that was more pleasant because of a particular person’s attitude or manner? Noticed someone stepping up—or out of their lane—in a positive and meaningful way? Please nominate them for Changemaker of the Week, so we can spread the positivity—just as our colleague Jack does!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips 

As DVT continues, it is important to take care of and manage your personal wellness. Look for weekly resources, and please share your own tips!

• Faculty and staff are invited to join the Counseling Center every Tuesday at 2 p.m. for drop-in guided meditation. Meditation on Zoom begins promptly at 2:05 pm ending at 2:25 p.m. The schedule is as follows:

  • June 23 – Forest Meditation

  • June 30 – Safe and Comfortable Space Guided Meditation

• Sign up for a weekly HIIT fitness class on Thursdays, beginning Thursday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m. with Drew alumna Angela Vitellaro C’11.

• Are you looking for a few ways to unwind? Try your hand at a digital jigsaw puzzle or join the Drew Virtual Book Club and pick your summer adventure!

Please Note

• Kristin Bruno-Bates, chair, and Joshua Phillips, incoming chair, of the Drew Staff Association host weekly office hours every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. during DVT. Please join them on Zoom; the waiting room feature is enabled for privacy.

• DSA Virtual Happy Hours are on summer break. We’ll toast again in the fall!

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @drewuniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @drewstuact and more!

• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home wellness tips.

• Check out the latest Drew news at drew.edu/stories.

• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu.

As the Open Campus Task Force and key working groups continue to develop the plan for the fall reopen, we are guided by the following universitywide principles:

We continue to make headway on our planning for the fall reopen. In the meanwhile, should you have any questions, please email our Drew Virtual Time inbox at dvt@drew.edu. We’ll keep using your concerns to shape our planning and the FAQ.

Wednesday greetings to you all!

Changemaker of the Week

This week’s Changemaker is: Rachel Sawyer, Coordinator of Residential Engagement! Here’s what Rachel’s colleagues had to say about her contribution to Drew and DVT:

• “Rachel is unequivocally and unapologetically an advocate for all students. She has single-handedly created space for black and brown students to feel seen and heard. She is an asset on all accounts.”
• “Rachel is always sharing knowledge on how to be an ally and support people of color and the LGBTQ+ community.”
• “Rachel and the CRE team are essential for a reason—we couldn’t do what we do without them! The CRE team has continued to work and live on campus over the last three months providing resources for our students still residing on campus and our students returning to move out their belongings.” 
• “Rachel is on the frontlines providing our students, parents, and other members of the Drew community with the excellent customer service and care needed to help diffuse the worry and concern that comes with these uncertain times.”

Congratulations and thank you, Rachel!

Has someone positively impacted your work during DVT? Been a part of a project that was more pleasant because of a particular person’s attitude or manner? Noticed someone stepping up—or out of their lane—in a positive and meaningful way? Please nominate them for Changemaker of the Week, so we can spread the positivity—just as our colleague Rachel does!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips 

As DVT continues, it is important to take care of and manage your personal wellness. Look for weekly resources, and please share your own tips! 

• This week’s video, Therese Zimmer-Farid, LCSW, is checking in with the Drew community on compassion fatigue—the prolonged and unaddressed stress experienced after working and serving others. 
• Faculty and staff are invited to join the Counseling Center every Tuesday at 2 p.m. for drop-in guided meditation. Meditation on Zoom begins promptly at 2:05 pm ending at 2:25 p.m. The schedule is as follows: 
  • June 16 – Summer Rose Meditation
  • June 23 – Forest Meditation
  • June 30 – Safe and Comfortable Space Guided Meditation
• Sign up for a weekly HIIT fitness class on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. with Drew alumna Angela Vitellaro C’11.

Fall Enrollment Update

As many of you know, June 1 was our “Decision Day”—a.k.a. deposit day for our incoming students. Due to the COVID-19 situation, and like many colleges and universities, we extended our Decision Day to June 1 in order to allow more time to understand what the shape of the fall would look like. To date, we have deposits from 376 incoming CLA students, which is about 50 students fewer than our target. Given the changing landscape created by the global pandemic, even though we are short of our goal, our total deposit number is nonetheless something to celebrate. Caspersen and Theological school numbers are trending upward, though it’s too early to determine where we’ll stand for the fall, as this is an on-going process throughout the summer. COVID-19–related issues do cause some concern for our international students—both new and returning—and their ability to travel to campus from their home countries; we continue to work with those cohorts in earnest. Returning student registrations are up 25–30 students over last year. Thank you to our Admissions team for their continued hard work!

In Case You Missed It

On Monday evening, June 8, the Theological School Dean’s Office and the Division of Campus Life and Student Affairs supported a student-led, community-wide virtual event called “Say Their Names.” The event, which was both a time of reflection on the black lives lost to racial violence and a shared call to action for our Drew community, featured student speakers and musicians from across the university, as well as a candle-lighting ceremony. Watch a video of the virtual event here.

Please note: Some language in this video may not be appropriate for children.

Please Note

• Kristin Bruno-Bates, chair, and Joshua Phillips, incoming chair, of the Drew Staff Association host weekly office hours every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. during DVT. Please join them on Zoom; the waiting room feature is enabled for privacy. 
• Join the Drew Staff Association Tuesday, June 16 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for Drinks and DIY with the DSA. DSA Virtual Happy Hours will take a summer break after Tuesday’s gathering. 

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @drewuniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @drewstuact and more!
• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home wellness tips. 
• Check out the latest Drew news at drew.edu/stories.
• Curious about the developing plans for the fall reopen? Visit our Planning for Fall page at the COVID-19 resource site.

Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu.

Dear members of the Drew community,

As we develop our plans to reopen campus this fall, we’ve pledged to keep you informed with posts each Friday to this site. Some weeks there will be much to report on our progress, including action items for community members; other weeks will feature briefs on where we stand and how we’re approaching the fall reopen with a commitment to uphold the health and safety of our community—which includes residential students, commuter students, faculty and staff—as our top priority.

Today, I want to let you know about how Drew is leading through the fall reopening. As I mentioned in my email on May 23, our comprehensive plan to reopen campus for instruction and residential life is being developed by Drew’s Open Campus Task Force, made up of members of senior leadership and the campus community. The goal is to implement, to the fullest extent possible, a return to personal and engaged learning and living on campus, as we put into place significant modifications to the campus environment, every day operations, and personal practices. In other words, things will be different on campus, but they will be different because we are protecting the health and safety of our entire community, while we work to be physically together as soon as possible.

The Open Campus Task Force was born of the group that worked diligently to bring the University into Drew Virtual Time (DVT) last spring, though the current slate has changed slightly for the reopen plan. Current members include:

MaryAnn Baenninger, President, convener
Barb Bresnahan, Chief of Staff
Kristin Bruno-Bates, Assistant Director, Conferences and Events
Joan Galbraith, Director of Health Services
Louise Hood, Assistant Vice President, Advancement
Jessica Lakin, Provost-elect, convener
Steph Mazzarella, Director of Student Engagement
Colby McCarthy, Associate Vice President, Scholarships and Financial Aid
Alex McClung, Director of Institutional Research
Stephanie McCormick, Director of Facilities Operations
Frank Merckx, Vice President for Campus Life and Student Affairs, convener
Meredith Palmer, Special Assistant, Legal Affairs
Jill Shockley, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services
Shawn Spaventa, Director of Instructional Technology
Kathy Sutherland, Executive Administrative Assistant, President’s Office
Kristen Daily Williams, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing

The charge of this group is to provide leadership oversight and logistics for the reopening of campus and supporting operations related to it, to facilitate decision-making, and to communicate decisions and plans to the Drew community. Accordingly, there are several working groups devoted to planning and process-making for specific areas. The progress made in the working groups is brought back to the Task Force so that our fall reopen plan benefits from a “hivemind” approach: subject matter experts develop plans in working groups, which are brought back to the Task Force for decision-making, knowledge sharing on cross-functional possibilities, and an overall collective understanding of how each piece fits together to achieve a successful fall reopen of campus. To facilitate knowledge sharing and understanding, each working group includes some members of the Task Force; those representatives may or not be the group convener.

The key working groups are:

INSTRUCTIONAL GROUP
Develop a plan to maximize meaningful in-person instruction for the fall semester while maintaining safe physical distancing. Identify courses from across the curriculum for priority use of on-campus classrooms, laboratories, and studios. Ensure maximum flexibility for students and faculty to pursue and deliver educational goals even if they are not able to be on campus or participate in in-person instruction. Determine the technology required to allow for real-time participation of students and faculty who cannot make it to campus to engage in on-campus classes.
Ryan Hinrichs, Dean of Arts & Sciences–elect, convener

HEALTH GROUP
Determine how to bring the community back to campus safely. Continue the established relationship with local and state health officials, offering best practices on health and safety. Develop a plan to identify, test and isolate sick students working with the local health department to do contact tracing to minimize spread of illness on campus. Modify operations of Health Service to meet needs of students while ensuring safety of staff and students (includes expansion of telehealth and electronic medical record capabilities; separation of well and sick in-person appointments; monitoring supply of PPE; etc.). Work with the Counseling Center as they implement measures for mental health and wellness.
Joan Galbraith, convener

FACILITIES GROUP
Examine all campus spaces so that they may be utilized safely and appropriately for the central focus of academic delivery through using technology, distancing and other interventions. Work with other subgroups so that guidance for optimal operation in a safe and healthy manner is established.
Jill Shockley, convener

HOUSING GROUP
Determine housing plans for the fall semester based on forthcoming state guidelines and changing conditions for our students around New Jersey and the globe. This will include establishing repopulation of the residence halls based upon guidance and best practice for returning students and the yet-to-be assigned new first-year and transfer students.
Michelle Brisson, Dean of Student Engagement, convener

DINING GROUP
Determine how to ensure that dining services meet campus needs safely and appropriately, which may include changes to dining plans, food offerings and operational hours.
Frank Merckx, convener

ATHLETICS GROUP
Determine how to ensure athletes’ safety and a return to conference play within NCAA DIII, Landmark Conference, and state guidelines.
Christa Racine, Director of Athletics, convener

PERSONNEL GROUP
Continue to implement cabinet decisions on staffing designations. Work with the facilities group to assign office space. Draft Open Campus guiding principles and create a rubric around those guiding principles.
Louise Hood, convener

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT GROUP
Develop policies and secure procedures for employment in a safe environment. Implement a student employment program to enhance opportunities and ensure the best student experience.
Colby McCarthy, convener

FINANCE GROUP
Model revenue and expenses with associated budget forecasts for a variety of possible scenarios. Includes two subgroups that focus on insurance and small business administration.
Jill Shockley, convener

The Task Force and working groups are intensely involved in their work, and such an accelerated planning effort requires the participation and support of the entire Drew community. I am deeply grateful to the faculty and staff members who are actively participating in the plans to reopen campus this fall, just as I am grateful to each and every one of you for your commitment to Drew during this challenging time.

As everywhere, life in The Forest next fall will not be as it was before. It will be necessary to adapt to new ways of interacting as we uphold our campus health and safety—and eventually see the threat of COVID-19 eliminated. Foundationally, though, the Drew spirit remains, and I know this community will come out of this experience stronger, smarter, and with a determined resolve to continue adding to the world’s good.

Should you have any questions, please email our Drew Virtual Time inbox at dvt@drew.edu.

With best wishes for your health,
MaryAnn Baenninger

Good Wednesday to one and all.

Changemaker of the Week

This week’s Changemaker is: Steph Mazzarella, Director of Student Engagement! Here’s what Steph’s colleagues had to say about her contribution to Drew and DVT:

• “Steph has been an incredible team member in Student Engagement. She literally can do ANYTHING! She has done incredible work this year as she stepped into a leading role overseeing and managing many processes related to student housing, a process that can bring out the best of some, and at times the most challenging aspects of others. This is her first year managing this program and she’s learning and navigating it in this new DVT environment!”
• “Regardless of what challenges come her way, Steph always gives 150% in her role, and she is appreciated by students, parents, and her colleagues for her endless dedication to help students and provide them with an outstanding experience at Drew.”
• “The backbone of all housing logistics and behind the scenes elements of our housing system. Steph tackled her first housing application process this past month with grace amidst the challenges brought on by DVT. Steph’s positive attitude and determination to provide all students with an outstanding experience at Drew also makes her the backbone of the Res Life team!”
• “Steph is always willing to jump in and help anyone! She continues to take on projects during DVT and executes all of them masterfully.” 

Congratulations and thank you, Steph!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips 

As DVT continues, it is important to take care of and manage your personal wellness. Look for weekly resources, and please share your own tips! 

• Sign up for a weekly HIIT fitness class on Thursdays, beginning Thursday, June 4 at 5:30 pm with Drew alumna, Angela Vitellaro C’11.
• Check-in with Michelle Taylor, Staff Counseling/Social Worker, on how to cope with the aches of working from home. Then check out the resources Michelle noted in her video: Three stretches to tend to the aches and pains of working from home and Coronavirus relief: 6 easy stretches you can do in your home office

Zoom Q&A Sessions with Board Chair Bill Landis C’85

Reminder! Faculty and staff are invited to participate in Zoom Q&A sessions with Bill Landis C’85, chair of Drew’s Board of Trustees. These sessions provide an opportunity to ask questions and dialogue about our leadership transition and next steps for Drew:

• For staff: Thursday, June 4, 1 p.m
• For faculty: Friday, June 5, 11 a.m. 

To join the session, check your google calendars the morning of your Zoom session (Thursday for staff, Friday for faculty) for a google calendar invitation at the appointed time. The invite will include Zoom credentials for participation. 

To ask a question for the moderated Q&A, please use this form, which allows you to submit up to three questions at a time, anonymously. Kindly submit questions by the end of business on Wednesday, June 3. Thank you!

Counseling Center Notes

• Faculty and Staff are invited to join the Counseling Center every Tuesday at 2 p.m. for drop-in guided meditation. Meditation on Zoom begins promptly at 2:05 p.m. and ends at 2:25 p.m. The schedule is as follows: 

June 9 – Urge Surfing Meditation

June 16 – Summer Rose Meditation

June 30 – Safe and Comfortable Space Guided Meditation

• All Drew University employees and their family members are able to access mental health counseling through Guidance Resources of Compsych EAP (Employee Assistance Program). The University is NOT notified when anyone accesses these benefits and it is strictly confidential. Call 800-311-4327; Compweb ID: GEN311. Individuals are given the names of therapists in their area to call and are approved for five sessions. There is no copay and/or fee to the employee or family member. After five sessions, the employee has the option of using his/her insurance or paying out of pocket. Employees can call the EAP directly with any specific questions. 

Resources from TIAA

TIAA’s Communications, Education & Advice program offers resources to help us navigate through this unprecedented situation:

• Keep your financial goals on track with TIAA’s live webinars. Reserve your spot today. Schedule online at TIAA.org/webinars.
• Making decisions about your money can feel complicated. TIAA’s experienced financial consultants are here to help you plan for your future. To connect with a TIAA financial consultant, sign up online for a phone or video conference at TIAA.org/schedulenow or call 800-732-8353, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).
• Market volatility can be unsettling. TIAA’s financial experts are here to guide you and discuss the benefits of having a financial plan to help protect your retirement income. A collection of the most up-to-date information to provide you with financial peace-of-mind can be found here. 

DSA Notes

• In case you missed the DSA’s “Message from the DSA on Allyship and Action at Drew,” you may read it here.
• Kristin Bruno-Bates, chair, and Joshua Phillips, incoming chair, of the Drew Staff Association host weekly office hours every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. during DVT. Please join them on Zoom; the waiting room feature is enabled for privacy. 
• Join the Drew Staff Association weekly on Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for Drinks and DIY with the DSA. 

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @drewuniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @drewstuact and more!
• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home wellness tips. 
• Check out the latest Drew news at drew.edu/stories.
• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu. 

To members and families of the Class of 2020,

It feels to me as if the confetti—literal and figurative—is still swirling in the air from our fantastic virtual Commencement on May 9. The Class of 2020 will truly go down in history for its resilience, sacrifice, and determination. We are counting on you to go out into the world and make it a better place; I know our confidence is well placed.

I’m writing now to update you on our plans for a deferred in-person Commencement ceremony to honor you, this distinct class. In accordance with your overwhelming preference to hold an in-person ceremony at a later date, we had tentatively scheduled an in-person Commencement ceremony for August 1, 2020. Our “drop dead” date for managing all of the logistics associated with an in-person ceremony is today, June 1, 2020. At this time—using the considerations announced for postsecondary commencement ceremonies on May 27 from the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) as our guide—it is clear that the August 1 deferred date is not viable for our in-person ceremony.

Our decision was not made lightly, and of paramount concern is our significant international student population from the Class of 2020. Most international travel to the United States is currently prohibited, and we must defer our in-person ceremony to a time when we can ensure that our international student population is able to make the journey, if they would like. Also worth noting, at this time the requirements in place allow for outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people in New Jersey; we anticipate larger groups will be permitted by August 1, however we cannot assume these limits will be raised to anywhere near the number we need to welcome our 500+ graduates and their guests, which is usually close to 3,000 attendees. Finally, we believe the purpose of an in-person deferred ceremony is to provide the memorable experiences that are not achievable via a virtual ceremony. The current guidance does not permit gestures and traditions such as the handing of diplomas to graduates, and so we’d prefer to defer to a future date when these treasured moments may occur.

We know that the Governor’s and OSHE’s guidance strives to protect our students, faculty, staff and guests, and we most certainly want to keep our community healthy and safe. Our hope is that situations in New Jersey improve enough that we are able to announce a date in the fall for our Class of 2020 ceremony. In the event we are still unable to do so, however, please hold some space for a rescheduled deferred ceremony concurrent with Commencement 2021, traditionally held the second weekend of May. We will stay in touch as plans are finalized to do our very best to honor and celebrate your unique class, and we hope you and your families will be able to join us in The Forest.

I’ll close by offering my sympathy, care, and appreciation to each of you, coping in various degrees with this terrible pandemic. We are joined together by our shared Drew spirit, and I am deeply grateful for the way in which you have collectively responded to the challenges brought about by this crisis. The backdrop of lost precious moments and experiences—which I wish so much I could give to you—was and remains overshadowed by Drew’s collective pride and joy in all you’ve accomplished. You worked just as hard—maybe even harder—to achieve your academic success, to cooperate with quickly evolving situations, and to uphold the health and safety of our community. You deserve to be celebrated with all of the elements of our traditional ceremony, and we look forward to the time when we may do so.

With best wishes to you all,

MaryAnn Baenninger

Many thanks to the entire Drew community for the overwhelmingly positive response to our intention to re-open campus this fall. As we anticipated, many questions have come up from near, far and places in between. These topics are on our minds and in our plans—just as they are for you—and our task force is working to confirm the plans so we can communicate them with you. We heard from you about the following topics:

• Accessibility and accommodation planning for all community members
• Air travel for domestic and international community members
• Financial implications
• Fluidity of the academic calendar for both fall and spring
• International student concerns
• Learning experience
• Move-in/move-out procedures (“normal,” holiday, emergency)
• Parking
• Residence hall living
• Testing and exposure
• Viability of athletic seasons

We know you crave certainty and are eager to make your plans for fall. While it is unknown how quickly Governor Murphy’s Advisory Group will provide definitive statewide guidance, our commitment is to have the beginnings of a comprehensive FAQ by the end of June. In the meanwhile, should you have any questions, please email our Drew Virtual Time inbox at dvt@drew.edu. We’ll continue to use your concerns to shape our planning and the FAQ.

Thank you for your continued understanding and flexibility. We cannot wait to welcome our students back to The Forest!

Happy Wednesday! As we heard over the weekend from President Baenninger, our Open Campus Task Force, made up of members of senior leadership and our campus community, is working on a phased approach for a safe return to campus operations for the fall. Drew’s intention is to resume on-campus teaching, learning and living for the fall semester, beginning August 16. You can find the entire message at our “Planning for Fall” page at the COVID-19 resource site. As plans are developed and finalized, we’ll share them here in the Wednesday update and also at the “Planning for Fall” page, where we’ll post briefs, notes and FAQ, as we are able, each Friday. In the meanwhile, should you have any questions, please email our Drew Virtual Time inbox at dvt@drew.edu.

Changemaker of the Week

This week’s Changemaker is: Joelle Falaise, Assistant Director, Educational Opportunity Scholars! Here’s what Joelle’s colleagues had to say about her contribution to Drew and DVT:

• “This individual has been, what Professor Son calls, a Joy Finder. She reminds me of new ways to be a Joy Finder as well!”
• “Ms. Falaise helps our students find new ways of addressing life in the COVID-19 pandemic. Counseling and providing workshops online is not easy, but she has shown patience, leadership and provides the energy to give students hope and the practical means to find and share joy.”
• “She helps the students to find the space for personal reflection, and as a result, new ways to make creativity and balance new avenues to be joyful rather than anxious.”
• “Her work is a great gift to our students and to the staff.”

Congratulations and thank you, Joelle!

As the realities of “pandemic life” become more commonplace, let’s not allow the amazing ways in which we react and adapt to the challenges go unnoticed. Has someone positively impacted your work? Been a part of a project that was more pleasant because of a particular person’s attitude or manner? Noticed someone stepping up—or out of their lane—in a positive and meaningful way? Please nominate them for Changemaker of the Week, so we can—just as our colleague Joelle does—spread the joy!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips 

As DVT continues, it is important to take care of and manage your personal wellness. Look for weekly resources, and please share your own tips! 

• Watch this check-in video from Audra Tonero, Assistant Director of Outreach/Education, to preview all the work the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services is doing this summer to keep faculty and staff connected. 
• Every Friday at 2 p.m., please join Cynthia Bearison on Zoom for Free Gentle Yoga and Meditation. All levels are invited to attend.
• All Drew University employees and their family members are able to access mental health counseling through Guidance Resources of Compsych EAP (Employee Assistance Program). The University is NOT notified when anyone accesses these benefits and it is strictly confidential. Call 800-311-4327; Compweb ID: GEN311. Individuals are given the names of therapists in their area to call and are approved for five sessions. There is no copay and/or fee to the employee or family member. After five sessions, the employee has the option of using his/her insurance or paying out of pocket. Employees can call the EAP directly with any specific questions. 
• Faculty and Staff are invited to join the Counseling Center every Tuesday at 2 p.m. for drop-in guided meditation. Meditation on Zoom begins promptly at 2:05 p.m. and ends at 2:25 p.m. The schedule is as follows: 
  • June 2 – Progressive Relaxation
  • June 9 – Urge Surfing Meditation
  • June 16 – Summer Rose Meditation
  • June 30 – Safe and Comfortable Space Guided Meditation
• Everyone reacts differently to stress and stressful situations. It is important to take care of yourself. Please review tips to cope with stress during this time from the CDC. 

Reminder: Work-Life Balance and ‘Summer Fridays’

• As a reminder, Summer Friday flexible scheduling is in effect through Friday, August 7. Especially in a work-from-home environment, maintaining a work-life balance is crucial. Employees are free to take advantage of this program, where regular hours are performed in a condensed work week, Monday through Thursday, in order to have Friday afternoon free. 
• Of course, some individuals or departments may need or choose to work Friday afternoons. If you do, please refrain from scheduling meetings or sending emails after 12:30 p.m. on Fridays, if at all possible. (Remember you can “schedule send” emails to be sent automatically on a future date and time.) 
• Taking your vacation time during DVT is permitted and encouraged to give you the necessary break from work demands. 

Commencement

Yesterday Governor Phil Murphy announced via social media that, beginning July 6, schools will be permitted to hold outdoor graduation ceremonies that comply with social distancing. We await further guidance from the New Jersey Governor regarding that decision and what it means for the planning of the tentatively scheduled deferred Commencement celebration on Saturday, August 1. Drew must make a final determination about the viability of the August 1 date by June 1—our “drop dead” date for managing all of the logistics. 

Keep an Eye Out

• In a future Wednesday update, faculty and staff will be invited to participate in Zoom sessions in an “open hour” style with Board Chair Bill Landis; you’ll have a chance to ask questions and dialogue about next steps for Drew. 

Please Note

• Join the Drew Staff Association weekly on Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for Drinks and DIY with the DSA.  
• Kristin Bruno-Bates, chair, and Joshua Phillips, incoming chair, of the Drew Staff Association host weekly office hours every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. during DVT. Please join them on Zoom; the waiting room feature is enabled for privacy.

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @drewuniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @drewcounseing and more!
• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home wellness tips. 
• Check out the latest Drew news at drew.edu/stories.
• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu. 

The following email was sent on May 23, 2020 from Drew University President MaryAnn Baenninger to all members of the Drew community, including our incoming Class of 2024 and transfer students.

Dear Drew Community Members:

We hope this email finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe. All over the world, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forces us to plan for continued disruptions in our lives. Here in The Forest, we’ve been working hard on plans for the upcoming academic year. Although those plans aren’t yet finalized—and the plans we do make will be dictated in part by any executive orders from the New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, and/or New Jersey’s progress in its reopening plan—we want to share our thinking with you, so you can begin to make plans yourself.

It is Drew’s determined and enthusiastic intention to resume on-campus teaching, learning and living for the fall semester. Our goal, while upholding very high health and safety standards as our first priority, is to provide an authentic campus experience that is rich with the hallmarks of a Drew education—meaningful, personalized, relationship-based learning and living, even in the face of a pandemic. Our plan to achieve that goal includes an effort to reduce uncertainty, while remaining flexible and nimble during this quickly evolving health crisis.

Our Open Campus Task Force, made up of members of senior leadership and our campus community, is working on a phased approach for a safe return to campus operations for the fall. We learned much about maintaining a healthy campus this spring, and our plan is to build on that learning, in keeping with best public health practices and guidance from federal and state government, and through the expertise and leadership of the group, including members of our accredited campus Health Center team.

This planning includes many aspects of life we’re now accustomed to, including social distancing, “family unit” living protocols for our residence halls, monitoring and tracking, face covering requirements, dining plan and policy changes, outbreak containment and strict attention to disinfection and clean environments.

But first and foremost, we have to get you on campus. In order to re-open on time and see you all as soon as possible, we plan to stagger the move-in period to allow for social distancing and for maximum attention to health and safety, and we plan to practice the same model for move-out later in the semester. Starting with our incoming first-year students and transfer students, students will move on campus during a staggered three-week period beginning August 16. Our newest community members will be invited first, so that they’re able to take part in orientation activities. We will follow up with more specific information on move-in, along with FAQ about the process, by the end of June.

Classes will begin on time, on August 24. In order to create a period where we can practice social distancing on this campus and to adjust to the “new normal” of life on campus, for the first three weeks of the semester, all instruction will be delivered through virtual platforms. During these three weeks, residential life and other campus activities will be face-to-face.

In-person instruction—as close to the Drew we know and love as possible—will begin September 14. Between September 14 and November 20, it is our intention to have as much face-to-face learning as possible, recognizing that for various reasons we may need to be adaptive. You can expect the same meaningful faculty-student interactions and small class sizes as always, and we are preparing for a variety of scenarios in order to ensure we are able to meet the needs of all of our community members, including those of our dedicated faculty and staff. And so, it’s important to note that as we plan for an open campus, we are also planning contingencies that protect and support those members of our community who are not students, who return home nightly to families and loved ones.

In order to reduce movement from and back to campus, and to decrease the risk of importation of COVID-19 to campus, we will end on-campus residency Thanksgiving week. To accomplish that, we’ll adjust the academic calendar to provide for staggered move-out of campus housing during that week, as mentioned above, prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. To complete the semester, post-Thanksgiving classes and the exam period will take place remotely. As always, there will be a process for considering exceptions for students who need to remain on campus through the Thanksgiving break and into the final exam period.

Even with all of the safety protocols we will develop, there is a chance of an outbreak on campus. To address any possible scenario, we have designated quarantine and isolation locations, a “stay at home at Drew” approach and, in the unlikely event that we would need them, evacuation protocols. As is our practice already, students who are able to return home to quarantine or isolate will be required to do so, and we continue to work closely with local health authorities.

You have been flexible, and we intend to be flexible too. The quickly evolving nature of the pandemic requires us to be nimble and flexible in our planning and in our return to on-campus living and learning. By developing plans for various scenarios, we can promise you a standard of care and instruction, no matter the shape of the semester.

We recognize that all community members crave certainty in order to make plans, and we’ll follow up with a confirmed process for a return to campus beginning August 16 just as soon as we can. We also acknowledge that different people will have different needs, and some of this information will surely raise questions—from move-in date and financial implications to accessibility and more. We will stay in touch via direct emails, updates on social media and our website.

To keep current, please visit Drew’s COVID-19 resource site. There you’ll find a subpage called “Planning for Fall,” where we’ll post brief updates and notes by the close of business each Friday, beginning May 29. By the end of June you can expect to find a comprehensive FAQ related to resuming on-campus operations, and in the meanwhile, should you have any questions, please email our Drew Virtual Time inbox at dvt@drew.edu.

Thank you for your continued understanding and flexibility. No matter the form the semester takes, we cannot wait to welcome our students back to The Forest. We’ve missed you, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Sincerely,
MaryAnn Baenninger
President

Dear Drew Students,

We hope this email finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe. All over the world, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forces us to plan for continued disruptions in our lives. Here in The Forest, we’ve been working hard on plans for the upcoming academic year. Although those plans aren’t yet finalized—and the plans we do make will be dictated in part by any executive orders from the New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, and/or New Jersey’s progress in its reopening plan—we want to share our thinking with you, so you can begin to make plans yourself.

It is Drew’s determined and enthusiastic intention to resume on-campus teaching, learning and living for the fall semester. Our goal, while upholding very high health and safety standards as our first priority, is to provide an authentic campus experience that is rich with the hallmarks of a Drew education—meaningful, personalized, relationship-based learning and living, even in the face of a pandemic. Our plan to achieve that goal includes an effort to reduce uncertainty, while remaining flexible and nimble during this quickly evolving health crisis.

Our Open Campus Task Force, made up of members of senior leadership and our campus community, is working on a phased approach for a safe return to campus operations for the fall. We learned much about maintaining a healthy campus this spring, and our plan is to build on that learning, in keeping with best public health practices and guidance from federal and state government, and through the expertise and leadership of the group, including members of our accredited campus Health Center team.

This planning includes many aspects of life we’re now accustomed to, including social distancing, “family unit” living protocols for our residence halls, monitoring and tracking, face covering requirements, dining plan and policy changes, outbreak containment and strict attention to disinfection and clean environments.

But first and foremost, we have to get you on campus. In order to re-open on time and see you all as soon as possible, we plan to stagger the move-in period to allow for social distancing and for maximum attention to health and safety, and we plan to practice the same model for move-out later in the semester. Starting with our incoming first-year students and transfer students, students will move on campus during a staggered three-week period beginning August 16. Our newest community members will be invited first, so that they’re able to take part in orientation activities. We will follow up with more specific information on move-in, along with FAQ about the process, by the end of June.
Classes will begin on time, on August 24. In order to create a period where we can practice social distancing on this campus and to adjust to the “new normal” of life on campus, for the first three weeks of the semester, all instruction will be delivered through virtual platforms. During these three weeks, residential life and other campus activities will be face-to-face.

In-person instruction—as close to the Drew we know and love as possible—will begin September 14. Between September 14 and November 20, it is our intention to have as much face-to-face learning as possible, recognizing that for various reasons we may need to be adaptive. You can expect the same meaningful faculty-student interactions and small class sizes as always, and we are preparing for a variety of scenarios in order to ensure we are able to meet the needs of all of our community members, including those of our dedicated faculty and staff. And so, it’s important to note that as we plan for an open campus, we are also planning contingencies that protect and support those members of our community who are not students, who return home nightly to families and loved ones.

In order to reduce movement from and back to campus, and to decrease the risk of importation of COVID-19 to campus, we will end on-campus residency Thanksgiving week. To accomplish that, we’ll adjust the academic calendar to provide for staggered move-out of campus housing during that week, as mentioned above, prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. To complete the semester, post-Thanksgiving classes and the exam period will take place remotely. As always, there will be a process for considering exceptions for students who need to remain on campus through the Thanksgiving break and into the final exam period.

Even with all of the safety protocols we will develop, there is a chance of an outbreak on campus. To address any possible scenario, we have designated quarantine and isolation locations, a “stay at home at Drew” approach and, in the unlikely event that we would need them, evacuation protocols. As is our practice already, students who are able to return home to quarantine or isolate will be required to do so, and we continue to work closely with local health authorities.

You have been flexible, and we intend to be flexible too. The quickly evolving nature of the pandemic requires us to be nimble and flexible in our planning and in our return to on-campus living and learning. By developing plans for various scenarios, we can promise you a standard of care and instruction, no matter the shape of the semester.

We recognize that all community members crave certainty in order to make plans, and we’ll follow up with a confirmed process for a return to campus beginning August 16 just as soon as we can. We also acknowledge that different people will have different needs, and some of this information will surely raise questions—from move-in date and financial implications to accessibility and more. We will stay in touch via direct emails, updates on social media and our website.

To keep current, please visit Drew’s COVID-19 resource site. There you’ll find a subpage called “Planning for Fall,” where we’ll post brief updates and notes by the close of business each Friday, beginning May 29. By the end of June you can expect to find a comprehensive FAQ related to resuming on-campus operations, and in the meanwhile, should you have any questions, please email our Drew Virtual Time inbox at dvt@drew.edu.

Thank you for your continued understanding and flexibility. No matter the form the semester takes, we cannot wait to welcome our students back to The Forest. We’ve missed you, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Sincerely,
President Baenninger

Each of us individually has been touched by change as we cope with the challenges brought about by COVID-19. As a community, we continue to experience transition. We learned on Monday that President Baenninger will step down at the end of July, when her contract comes to a close. Some highlights of the good work she has done and the advantages she has created for Drew: increased enrollment, retention and four-year graduation rate; introduction of 14 new academic programs; efforts yielding rankings including Fiske Guide to Colleges naming Drew a Top Ten Best Buy among private schools and the IIE naming Drew eighth among American baccalaureate colleges in international student enrollment, to name two; staunch advocacy of our landmark Launch program; and stalwart leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are so grateful for all she’s done as a champion for Drew.

Shortly before President Baenninger leaves The Forest, as you know, Provost Deb Liebowitz trades her Ranger blue and green for the navy and gold of Quinnipiac University. We are fortunate to have a deep bench in Academic Affairs, including Jessica Lakin, who will serve as provost, and Ryan Hinrichs, who will serve as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, upon Deb’s departure June 12. Deb shared details about Jessica’s and Ryan’s appointments in an email on Monday.

Especially during this period of transition, the hard work, dedication and commitment of our employees is appreciated more than ever, and your creativity, adaptation and collaboration—through connectedness even in this virtual landscape—continue to be the critical tie that binds us together. Thank you.

Changemaker of the Week

This week’s Changemaker is: Heather Robinson, Director, Campus Experience for Admissions! Here’s what Heather’s colleagues had to say about her contribution to Drew and DVT:

• “Heather has coordinated and moderated numerous virtual webcasts and yield events for admitted students since DVT began.”
• “She has worked across the campus community to partner with faculty, staff, and students so that we can continue to promote Drew in this virtual environment.”  
• “She is coordinating our student-to-student outreach programs via calling campaigns and our social engagement platform.”
• “Heather did an excellent job moderating our CLA virtual reception post Commencement. All students felt celebrated and heard.”
• “Heather pivoted on a dime to provide admitted students and prospective students virtual campus experiences that gave them exposure to an admitted student experience, classroom experiences, and interaction with current Drew students, professors, and cabinet members.”

Congratulations and thank you, Heather!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips 

As DVT continues, it is important to take care of and manage your personal wellness. Look for weekly resources, and please share your own tips! 

• Every Friday at 2 pm, please join Cynthia Bearison on Zoom for Free Gentle Yoga and Meditation. All levels are invited to attend. 
• We are attached to our phones and technology now more than ever before. Listen to the HOL: FIT Talks Podcast on  “How to own your phone…and not have it own you” for some helpful tips for cleaning up your devices and setting boundaries to unlock phone freedom!

Work-Life Balance and ‘Summer Fridays’

We acknowledge the incredible amount of work everyone has accomplished during DVT and recognize that the current environment has required many of us to work extended hours, into the night and/or weekend. Especially in a work-from-home environment, maintaining a work-life balance is crucial. As a conduit to achieving balance (or getting closer to it), Drew will offer Summer Fridays again this year. All employees are expected to work their regular number of hours, but are permitted to do so over a condensed work week, Monday through Thursday, in order to have Friday afternoon free. Summer Friday flexible scheduling will be in effect from this Friday, May 22 through Friday, August 7. 

Some individuals or departments may need or choose to work Friday afternoons. Please bear in mind, however, that many of our colleagues may be taking advantage of the flexible schedule to enjoy their time away from work obligations. So, we ask that you refrain from scheduling meetings or sending emails after 12:30 p.m. on Fridays, if at all possible. As a reminder, you can “schedule send” emails to be sent automatically on a future date and time, which may be a useful feature for those working in the evenings or early morning, as well as during Summer Fridays. 

Additionally, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you that taking your vacation time during DVT is permitted and encouraged to give you the necessary break from work demands. 

As always, your supervisors and the Human Resources team are available to answer any questions or to offer clarification.

While We’re on the Topic…

Planning to take some time off? Don’t forget to set a vacation responder in your gmail settings. Here’s some helper text:

PTO: Thank you for your message. I am taking personal time off [DAY, DATE through DAY DATE], and will respond to emails at that time. If you need immediate assistance, please contact [NAME at EMAIL@drew.edu]. Thank you!

Sick time: Thank you for your message. I am temporarily out of the office. If you need assistance, please contact [NAME at EMAIL@drew.edu]. I look forward to being back in touch upon my return.

Heads Up

In a future Wednesday update, faculty and staff will be invited to participate in Zoom sessions in an “open hour” style with Board Chair Bill Landis; you’ll have a chance to ask questions and dialogue about next steps for Drew. Keep an eye out!

Policy Site

We’re excited to announce that the first phase of the University Policy Library website is complete. About 18 months ago, the University Policy Group began planning the comprehensive index and development of the website. The project team, led by Meredith Palmer, special assistant to the president for legal affairs and University policy, included three undergraduate students. The team worked in close collaboration with the teams in Communications, University Technology and the Library, who provided the critical support to succeed with this project. Additionally, many departments across campus were charged with reviewing policies to ensure the policies in our database are accurate and current. 

Thank you to everyone involved in creating the centralized policy website, which provides an expeditious avenue to search policies and is a central component of the University’s Middle States Self Study accreditation.

Any questions regarding ongoing policy process and development can be directed to Meredith Palmer at policies@drew.edu.

Please Note

• Kristin Bruno-Bates, chair, and Joshua Phillips, incoming chair, of the Drew Staff Association host weekly office hours every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. during DVT. Please join them on Zoom; the waiting room feature is enabled for privacy. 
• Join the Drew Staff Association weekly on Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for Drinks and DIY with the DSA. The theme for the virtual staff happy hour on May 26 is Game Night. 

Engage & Reach Out

• Have you done the Hoyt Lawn jigsaw puzzle? Check it out on Facebook and post your time.
• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @drewuniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @drewstuact and more!
• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home wellness tips. 
• Check out the latest Drew news at drew.edu/stories.

Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu.

Thank you to all who participated in Drew’s first virtual Commencement ceremony last Saturday—and a huge shout-out to the committee who made it all happen, led by dynamo co-chairs Kristin Bruno-Bates and Megan McHugh (with special tip of the hat to the amazing tech team: Shawn Spaventa, Matt Acosta and Justin Jackson). More than 1,000 people checked in throughout the event, watching the livestream or viewing in one of several watch parties. If you missed the live ceremony or just want to watch it again, head to drew.edu/commencement. As a reminder, the deferred in-person Commencement is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2020 (even with the DVT extension to August 7, see below). A final determination about its viability will be made by June 1.

And now, on to the update:

Drew Virtual Time Extended to August 7, President Baenninger Announced Today

• Over the past few weeks, we have all been carefully monitoring the continuing situation involving the COVID-19 pandemic. We are still hoping for a return to on-campus activity as soon as possible; however, it is now clear that the restrictions established as a result of the pandemic will stay in place for some time.

• Drew will remain in Drew Virtual Time (DVT) at least through August 7, 2020. That means we will continue working in the ways in which we have been working since DVT began on March 16, which for the majority of us means virtually.

• Accordingly, your staff employee designation (virtual, modified virtual, modified virtual – mail only, or on-site staff) remains your designation through August 7.

• In addition, the campus will not be open for its usual summer slate of camps and conferences.

• Concurrent with the decision to extend DVT, our colleagues whose positions were furloughed during DVT were notified today that their furloughs have been extended through August 7.

• Please remember to update your voicemail messages, if applicable.

• Read President Baenninger’s full email to the faculty and staff community here.

Changemaker of the Week

This week’s Changemaker is: Max (Yifan) Zhang, Experiential Education Manager & Chinese Language and Culture Advisor, Tilghman International Student Center, INTO Drew! Here’s what Max’s colleagues had to say about his contribution to Drew and DVT:

• “From the start, Max has worked very hard to ensure accessibility of information, with care and deep consideration.”

• “Max is a consistent advocate for our international students.”

• “He always looks for opportunities for his students to thrive and feel connected during this time.”

• “Max is always a joy to work with!”

• “Max organized and facilitated opportunities for our Chinese students to have access to Commencement activities and stay connected to Drew.”

Congratulations and thank you, Max!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips 

As DVT continues, it is important to take care and manage your personal wellness. Look for weekly resources, and please share your own tips!

• Podcasts are a great way to gain knowledge on a particular topic or understanding feeling that we might want to unpack a bit further. Explore your favorites or check out Unlocking US with Brene’ Brown particularly these episodes Dr. Vivek Murthy and Brene’ on Loneliness and connection or David Kessler and Brene’ on Grief  and Finding Meaning

• Are you lacking energy to complete an important task or make it through the rest of the day? Take a 10 minute break and listen to this 9 Minute Guided Meditation to Gather Your Energy to get yourself back on track.

• Building up our resilience is more important now than ever when it comes to handling pressure situations, coping with stress, and maintaining a positive outlook. Read this article from Verywell Mind to learn 10 Ways to Enhance Your Resilience.

Notes from Budget and Procurement

• On March 25, the University’s interim DVT procedures for purchasing, invoice processing, records retention and check deposits were announced in this update and shared with budget managers. Since that time, and in response to community feedback, the procedures are undergoing some refinement. Budget managers should have received an update of that procedure via email yesterday, and we’ve attached it here as well.

Please Note

• The Middle States self-study committee extended the deadline for providing feedback on our accreditation self-study initial findings until May 22. Please use this Google form to provide your feedback—all responses are anonymous. Thank you for your thoughtful engagement with this self-study process.

• The ATM machine in the EC will be removed as of today, Wednesday, May 13, 2020. There is no timeline established by the Business Office for the replacement unit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Kristin Bruno-Bates, chair, and Joshua Phillips, incoming chair, of the Drew Staff Association host weekly office hours every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. during DVT. Please join them on Zoom; the waiting from feature is enabled for privacy.

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @drewuniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @drewstuact and more!

• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home wellness tips.

• Check out the latest Drew news at drew.edu/stories.

• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu.

Dear Drew faculty and staff,

Now that the spring semester has come to a close, I want to thank each member of this community for the dedication and care that’s been the foundation of our shared work during this incredible challenge. No one could have imagined the spring semester we’ve just had, and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together and what our students have achieved with your help.

Over the past few weeks, we have all been carefully monitoring the continuing situation involving the COVID-19 pandemic. We are still hoping for a return to on-campus activity as soon as possible; however, it is now clear that the restrictions established as a result of the pandemic will stay in place for some time. On May 6, Governor Murphy extended New Jersey’s public health emergency status for a second time, and government leaders and public health experts agree we must continue to practice social distancing, including staying home as much as possible.

Given all of this information—and after much discussion and consultation—Drew will remain in Drew Virtual Time (DVT) at least through August 7, 2020. That means we will continue working in the ways in which we have been working since DVT began on March 16, which for the majority of us means virtually. Accordingly, your staff employee designation (virtual, modified virtual, modified virtual – mail only, or on-site staff) remains your designation through August 7. In addition, the campus will not be open for its usual summer slate of camps and conferences. By continuing to prioritize our community’s health and safety, we are best positioned to decrease risk and increase our ability to respond to any situation with greater agility and resources.

In the spirit of communication and transparency, I want you to know that this extension also affects our colleagues whose positions were furloughed during DVT due to our changed business needs. On April 6, 2020, those 68 employees were placed on furloughs through May 31. Concurrent with the decision to extend DVT, those furloughs also are extended through August 7. These folks were expecting to hear from us on May 26 regarding their furlough status, but in the interest of alerting them to this change as soon as possible, we’ve reached out to the affected employees this morning.

As I explained in my April 6 communication to you, the challenges brought by the COVID-19 crisis have touched and changed our community in profound ways, and we were forced to make the difficult decision not only to furlough but also to lay off some colleagues. Eight colleagues left us in early May because their positions were terminated. These continue to be extremely difficult choices involving what work can be suspended and what structural changes can be made in order to become a leaner operation on the administrative side.

I am keenly aware that this message will have inevitably raised as many questions as it has answered, and I pledge to keep you as informed as possible as our plans develop around the fall semester and what we might expect. As always, I encourage you to check the COVID-19 resource site and read the DVT Wednesday email updates.

Thank you again for your continued dedication and service to Drew.

Sincerely,
MaryAnn

Happy Wednesday, folks. We have much to share this week, so let’s get started with our Changemaker…

Changemaker of the Week
This week’s Changemaker is: Jenn Islam, Launch Catalyst, Immersive Learning Coordinator, Center for Internships and Career Development! Here’s what Jenn’s colleagues had to say about her contribution to Drew and DVT:

• “Jenn is an unsung hero of DVT.”
• “She’s been a constant force in the successful execution of the Drew 110 Launch semester and only enhanced that support once the courses went virtual.”
• “She’s a key member of the Center for Internships and Career Development and hosts several career workshops for our students. She consistently advocates for our students and wants to make sure they are getting what they need.”
• “She’s always willing to lend a helping hand on any project with any department or any task.”
• “Jenn’s positivity is infectious in a time when we need it most.”Congratulations and thank you, Jenn!
  Nominate next week’s Changemaker!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips
As DVT continues, it is important to take care and manage your personal wellness. Look for weekly resources, and please share your own tips!

• One of the best things we can do for ourselves is take a few moments to breathe and be mindful of what’s going on inside and outside of our bodies. Here are the top five free mindfulness apps to download today.
• Need a reason to get outside and walk, to pull out the old running shoes or just dance it out in your living room with the kids? Download Charity Miles and help earn money for every mile you move for a charity or cause you care about!
• Brighten up your day with free resources and downloads from ban.dō including printable wellness planner pages, coloring pages, reflection worksheets, Spotify playlists, desktop, mobile wallpapers and more!
• Bring the outdoors inside during quarantine with these tips for indoor gardening and adding more greenery to your space.

Commencement and More

• With pride and excitement, we will celebrate and honor the achievements of the graduates from the College of Liberal Arts, Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, and Theological School and enthusiastically invite faculty and staff to join us LIVE for our virtual Commencement ceremony on May 9 at 10:30 a.m. EDT at drew.edu/commencement. Just like for Day of Scholars, we’ll have a live chat feature open for your enthusiastic comments and support.
• Visit this page for a rundown of the stellar academic achievements of our students, as well as the contributions made to our campus community across all three schools. Click on the name of your mentee for a standalone story with options for shoutouts on social media—and tag @drewuniversity!
• On Thursday, May 7 at 8 p.m. EDT, watch along at drew.edu/commencement as President Baenninger and Drew alumni toast our graduates.
• After the virtual Commencement ceremony, please stick around to attend the CLA, CSGS or Theo virtual receptions to connect with graduates and members of the Platform Party! Check drew.edu/commencement often, as new information is added each day.
• Be sure to follow @drewuniversity on Instagram for updates and challenges throughout the week.

Planned Power Shutdown

• The phase two upgrade of the campus electrical power upgrade—originally scheduled for May 11 through May 15, 2020—has been rescheduled to 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 6 through 5 p.m. on Monday, August 10. During this time, the campus will be closed to all non-essential personnel. Visit the Facilities website for more information.
• Just as they are during DVT, all Drew network systems will be remotely accessible during the power shutdown, and everyone will be asked to continue their work remotely during this time.

Notes from Budget and Procurement

• On March 25, the University’s interim DVT procedures for purchasing, invoice processing, records retention and check deposits were announced in this update and shared with budget managers. Since that time, and in response to community feedback, the procedures are undergoing some refinement. Budget managers should expect a communication in the coming week, and we’ll follow up here with the update as well.

Academic Leadership Transition Update from the President

• Since I wrote to you about the upcoming departure of Provost Deb Liebowitz, whose last day “at” Drew will be June 12, I remain committed to and confident about my plans to move forward with internal leadership in Academic Affairs. The increased demands of virtual graduation, COVID-19–related work, and Board of Trustees preparation quite simply haven’t yet provided the time for me to have all of the conversations necessary to finalize that plan. I thank you for both your understanding and patience as we work together to move Drew forward. —MaryAnn Baenninger

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @drewuniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @drewstuact and more!
• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home wellness tips.
• Check out the latest Drew news at drew.edu/stories.
• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu.

Good Wednesday to you all!

Changemaker of the Week

This week’s Changemaker is: Audra Tonero, Assistant Director, Outreach/Education, Center for Counseling and Psychological Services

Here’s what Audra’s colleagues had to say about her contribution to Drew and DVT:

“Provides students with positive and thoughtful posts to read every day.”

“She is easing the minds of students!”

“Enthusiastically supported the ideas of her staff and no matter what.”

“Kick-started virtual programming efforts, took her counseling services online to support students, and has been leading the @DrewCounseling Instagram account with her uplifting and informative posts.”

“She is creative, thoughtful, a problem solver and always looking for new ways to engage the Drew community.”

Congratulations and thank you, Audra!

Work-from-Home Wellness Tips

As DVT continues, it is important to take care and manage your personal wellness. Look for weekly resources, and please share your own tips!

• The Guidance Resources Employee Assistance Program provides counseling and other services to help you. This program is confidential and free to you and your family members who live with you. Register online using the Organization Web ID: GEN311, or call 800-311-4327.

• Wondering why you’re finding yourself feeling more exhausted now, despite the extra down-time from being stuck at home? Read this Psychology Today article, “Why Video Chats Are Wearing Us Out.”

• Keep up the good reading (and tip gathering) with Chronicle Vitae’s “How to Salvage a Disastrous Day in your Covid-19 House Arrest.”

• Coming soon! Staff/faculty drop-in mindfulness session with the Counseling Center on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. More information forthcoming in Drew Today.

Happenings: Commencement Update and Acorn Academy

• In her email last Friday, April 24, President Baenninger announced we have tentatively scheduled a deferred, in-person Commencement ceremony for Saturday, August 1, 2020. While we do hope we will be able to celebrate our graduates on this day, there are many factors unknown and out of our control. We will make a final determination about the viability of the August 1 date by June 1, 2020.

• In the meantime, we do not want May 9—our scheduled Commencement date—to pass by without celebrating and acknowledging our graduates. We will host an online ceremony at 10:30 a.m. EDT that day, and we hope you will join us. More info to come!

• As we continue to monitor the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and await further direction from the State of New Jersey, the Acorn Academy will remain closed for the month of May. We will assess additional guidance from the Governor and adjust our decision, if needed.

In the News

• Deborah Kean, wife of former Drew president Thomas H. Kean, passes away. Read on nj.com.

• The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II T’03 joined the Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart on his podcast to discuss how the coronavirus is exploiting “the fissures of society.” Listen via the WP.

• James Van Der Beek sent a video to his former Drew a cappella group, 36 Madison Avenue, after they raised money for COVID-19. Watch the video on Facebook.

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @DrewUniversity, @drewstaffassociation, @DrewCounseling and more!

• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home wellness tips.

• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu.

April 24, 2020

Dear Drew students and families,

I hope this message finds each of you well and relatively settled in our new reality. It is my hope, as I’m sure it is yours, that we get back to the face-to-face world in The Forest as soon as possible. For my part, I already did appreciate The Forest and seeing students, faculty, and my staff colleagues on a daily basis. But now I am certain that I will never take the joy of those interactions for granted. I know that this is a very hard time for you, especially for those of you who are graduating students. My heart aches for you for your missed time with friends, and the events that you’ve looked forward to for so long. It is my hope that the small act of giving you choices and providing you with as much information as possible can alleviate your disappointment in some way.

I write to update you on several topics that I’m certain are of interest to you. Let me begin by thanking you all for your patience and understanding during this incredibly uncertain time. Today I offer some information about room and board credits, final move-out plans for student belongings still remaining in residence halls, Commencement, and fall planning. There will be further specific information about all of these topics—from me on Commencement and fall planning, from Student Accounts and Financial Aid on room and board credits, and from Residence Life staff regarding what we are calling “Operation on the Move” (previously referred to as the Phase 2 Move-Out). Because there is so much to share, this is a long email, and I thank you for taking the time to read it and for passing it on, as necessary, with your affected family members.

Room and Board Credits

We understand that students and their families have been waiting for definitive information on credits for room and board fees resulting from the University entering Drew Virtual Time (DVT) in response to the COVID-19 virus. I appreciate your patience, as there were several factors, some beyond our control, that contributed to the long period of analysis. That analysis work is now completed. Within the next two weeks, credits will be posted directly to each student’s account. Only those students who have actually paid for room and board will be eligible for a credit (e.g. RAs whose room fees are paid by Drew cannot receive a credit for those fees).

Each student pays a different amount to Drew depending not only on the room and board options they had chosen, but also depending on what University grants and scholarships they receive, and what proportion of their total costs were covered by Drew to begin with. With this in mind, we determined housing and meal credits for each individual student using a formula that accounts for the percentage of charges students actually paid for the term after institutional grants and scholarships were applied. Specific examples of how this formula is applied will appear under the COVID-19 FAQs early next week.

Our formula for determining credit amounts is based upon the period beginning March 23 through the end of the semester, and applies to students who vacated their residence hall on or before that date as a result of Drew’s move to DVT. For students who left after that date, the pro rata credit will be adjusted per diem. Students who remained in Drew housing for the full semester will not receive a credit. Under a different program, however, students not eligible for housing and meal credits may be eligible for emergency funds resulting from the Federal Stimulus, commonly known as the CARES Act. See below for more information on this.

For graduating students: Credits will be applied to student accounts as described above. Following that, as is the normal practice, approximately 14 days after the end of the term, all graduating students’ accounts will be audited and reconciled, with any outstanding fees, fines, and deposits being applied. If, after this audit, a student has a balance due on their account, the balance due will be reduced by the amount of the room and board credit. Any remaining credit above and beyond the balance due will then be refunded directly to the student. For example, if a student’s account balance is zero as of the end of the semester, they will receive their full calculated credit as a refund. Graduating students, please ensure that your direct deposit information is set up on your account so that any refunds can be processed in a timely manner. To do this, please go to the Student Account Center in Treehouse and click on the refund tab. If you have not previously received any refunds from Drew, and/or this tab is not available to you, you can also click on your profile (under your name) to set up the direct deposit account information.

For returning students (anyone not completing graduation requirements by the end of this semester): If a student has a balance due on the account, the balance due will be reduced by the amount of their calculated credit. Any remaining credit above and beyond the balance due will appear as a credit balance on the student’s account. A credit balance can remain on the student’s account to be used toward payment of future tuition, fees, room and board, or a refund for the credit balance can be requested. Students requesting a refund must update their refund preferences and banking information in the Student Account Center, accessible through Treehouse. If you have not previously received any refunds from Drew, received a refund prior to this, and/or this tab is not available to you, you can also click on your profile (under your name) to set up the direct deposit account information.

Students who have remained in residence halls since March 23, and therefore are ineligible for any credit, or students experiencing other emergency financial hardships related to housing may qualify for emergency funds available through the Federal CARES Act and to be distributed by Drew. Please note, however, that the Federal Government does not permit CARES Act Funds to be applied by Drew to a student’s account. This means that students are still obligated to pay balances due on their accounts, even if they later apply for CARES Act funds. Please watch for information on or about May 4 on how to apply for these funds.

Operation on the Move
(Previously referred to as the Phase 2 Move-Out)

As you are well aware, many students who are not currently living on campus still have belongings in their residence hall rooms. Factors including Executive Orders from the Governor, travel bans and stay at home requirements, and most importantly the safety of our students remaining on campus, have made planning for the retrieval of personal items quite complex.

We call the project to safely return or store belongings Operation on the Move. The committee coordinating the Operation on the Move has developed a plan with the health and safety of our students and community as our top priority. Accordingly, our focus is on offering you move-out solutions that allow you to adhere to your personal standards for health and safety, limiting the number of people who have access to residence halls, and upholding social distancing measures throughout the duration of the move-out process.

The move-out plan is organized around four different “packages.” Some of you may be in a position, depending on where you are currently living and the health status of the family members living with you, to select a package that works best for you. Others—due to logistical concerns and other guidance that is dependent on your home location—may have only one route to pursue. No matter what, there is a means for everyone to retrieve, receive, or store their belongings beginning May 7.

The four packages for move-out are outlined below. Residence Life will follow up next week with more detailed communication, including a method for you to determine the best package fit for your move-out and a means for scheduling a time to retrieve your belongings, if applicable. The packages are listed in order of the date they become available and our first priority will be to those who use the moving company packing services offered in Packages A, B, and C; specific dates will be determined and communicated following analysis of the data provided by you via an online form to be shared next week. All packing, storing, and shipping options will be provided by a reputable moving company contracted by Drew.

Package A: You or your proxy return to campus to pick up your packed belongings (packed by a moving company contracted by Drew) according to an outlined schedule. The cost for the packing service is $125 per student, billed to your student account. You will be prompted to select a time to return to campus to pick up your packed items.

Package B: You can have your belongings packed, stored for the summer, and delivered to your room assignment in the fall (with these services provided by a moving company contracted by Drew). The cost for this service is $200 per student, billed to your student account. In this package, you may opt, instead of storage, to pick up your packed belongings directly from the moving company at their New Jersey location later this summer. The cost for this option is $125 per student, billed to your student account, plus a $75 access fee paid directly to the moving company.

Package C: You can have your belongings packed and shipped to you (with these services provided by a moving company contracted by Drew). The cost for this service is $150 per student, billed to your student account, plus shipping fees, charged directly by the moving company.

Package D: You or your designee can return to campus to pack up your room and move out of campus housing. The cost for this is $0. Please be clear that you will not be permitted to enter the residence halls until your scheduled date, for your health and safety and the health and safety of all community members. Each resident is permitted only one guest to assist with your move-out; your one guest is permitted to enter the halls during this move-out period. Specific dates will be determined and communicated following analysis of the data provided by you via an online form to be shared next week. Please be aware, Package D will occur last in our move-out process, after all moving company packing has been completed.
For the first three packages, our university-designated moving company is Main Street Movers. They will pack your belongings for you, in the same way a mover would pack the home of someone who is moving. For these packages, you will not enter your residence hall; rather, depending on your situation, you can either pick up your packed items from a central location on campus at your appointed time, have your items stored, or have your items shipped. There will be an option on our form for you to designate a proxy individual to retrieve your packed belongings.

Please note that Main Street Movers is dedicated to providing every Drew student with the best service for your items. You will receive more information about their practices for care of items, health, and safety for this process from Residence Life, when they send information to you about the available packages soon.

Should you be in a position to proceed with move-out Package A or Package D, every person coming to campus should be in good health and not experiencing symptoms of illness, including fever, cough or difficulty breathing. We require everyone coming to campus to wear a face covering during the move-out process, exceeding the Centers for Disease Control recommendation to wear a mask.

Details on the entire move-out process are forthcoming in a communication from Residence Life, at which point you’ll also be able to access the information, including the form by which you’ll indicate your package choice, and FAQ at our COVID-19 website.

Commencement

As I communicated on March 23, the majority of our May 2020 graduates prefer a deferred in-person Commencement. We have tentatively scheduled this for Saturday, August 1, 2020. While we do hope we will be able to celebrate our graduates on this day, there are many factors unknown and out of our control. As such, please do not book flights or make any expenditures related to coming to campus in August at this time, unless you are certain any payments can be refunded. We will make a final determination about the viability of the August 1 date by June 1, 2020, which is our “drop dead” date for managing all of the logistics. We will communicate to all graduates on or about June 1, about whether we can move forward with an August 1 in person Commencement. One last note, if we are fortunate enough to hold Commencement on August 1, there is a very high likelihood that we will have to practice social distancing, and that social distancing guidelines will impact the exact format of the live ceremony. We always do a live stream of Commencement, so please keep that in mind when planning for who might attend (and who would be safer not attending) in August.

In the meantime, I for one do not want May 9—our scheduled Commencement date—to pass by without celebrating and acknowledging our graduates. We will host an online ceremony at 10:30 a.m. EDT that day, and we hope you will join us. More information will be shared in the coming weeks with our graduates and their families about the online ceremony. Details are also forthcoming about other virtual programs and festivities such as acknowledging student awards and other end of year rituals.

Your degrees will be conferred in May regardless of whether you participate in our online ceremony or not, and your diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application. Diplomas should arrive to you within four weeks after the conferral date of May 22, 2020 (rescheduled, due to an adjustment in the academic calendar because of DVT). The Apply to Graduate page on Drew University’s website has instructions on how to view a submitted application to graduate to confirm the address you provided.

Planning for the Fall

Many of you have understandably asked about Drew’s plans for the fall. Will we be face-to-face, will we be virtual? Among the many problems and issues presented by COVID-19, this is the one that most keeps me up at night. The short answer for now is that Drew is fully planning for several eventualities: face-to-face and an (almost) return to normal, the continuation of DVT into the fall, and intermediate flexible options. As you know, these decisions do not rest with me, or Drew, alone. Most particularly, Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders for the State of New Jersey, and coordinated plans with a coalition that includes New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Delaware, will in large measure drive our decision making. Right now Drew’s leadership team is working with faculty and staff to create several planning scenarios intended to cover as many variables as possible. I sincerely appreciate your patience in what is an uncertain and frustrating time. What I can commit to you is that we will update you regularly moving forward on the progress of this planning, and that we will endeavor to be as flexible as we possibly can to meet the varying needs of our students, both returning and new. Taking the time to consider things carefully and to acquire as much information as possible in this ever-changing environment will help increase the likelihood that the plans we do make will be workable for the fall.

As always, you’ll find this message and FAQ for our community at our COVID-19 site. I wish you all the best as the semester winds down and finals begin. Please continue to take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Sincerely,
MaryAnn Baenninger
President

Good Wednesday to you all! We’re starting this week’s update with a special shout-out to Drew’s essential workers. We are deeply grateful to our

• Aramark food staff, serving our students

• Custodial team, cleaning buildings

• Facilities workers, maintaining buildings and making repairs

• Grounds team, keeping up our campus exterior

• Millennium Group team, collecting and distributing mail

• Public Safety, protecting our students who remain on campus

• Coordinators of Residential Engagement, supporting our on-campus students

• and more

…who every day continue to do their jobs, help us function and create a safe environment for our students. Thank you!

Changemaker of the Week

• This week’s Changemaker is: Kristen Daily Williams, Interim Executive Director, Communications & Marketing
• Here’s what Kristen’s colleagues had to say about her contribution to Drew and DVT:

“Kristen has been the lifeline to keep the Drew community informed throughout DVT.”

“She helps all departments finesse their communication, ensures that our overall communication is clear and is always such a joy to work with!”

“Kristen has been an incredible partner to work with, and we were so far ahead of our peers because of the endless hours she put into drafting messages and posting text online. She is always willing to help strategize and partner with all areas of the university communications, often taking on more than is required.”

“Kristen has provided incredible leadership to our team and others across the university. She’s taken on so many projects of all shapes, sizes and priorities, and set up both Communications and Drew at large for success at every turn.”

“I have learned so much from Kristen during DVT. She has so much on her plate but is gracious with her time and always willing to coach someone on better ways to communicate effectively.”

“She’s an amazing mentor and leader!”

Congratulations and thank you, Kristen!

Work-from-Home Tips

• Planning to take some time off? Don’t forget to set a vacation responder in your gmail settings. Here’s some helper text:
  • PTO: Thank you for your message. I am taking personal time off [DAY, DATE through DAY DATE], and will respond to emails at that time. If you need immediate assistance, please contact [NAME at EMAIL@drew.edu]. Thank you!
  • Sick time: Thank you for your message. I am temporarily out of the office. If you need assistance, please contact [NAME at EMAIL@drew.edu]. I look forward to being back in touch upon my return.
• Check out and add to the Drew Virtual Survival Guide—a place to gather all virtual activities, events and resources. To add an event or resource, email Megan McHugh, Director of Student Activities.
• From Kristin Bruno-Bates, Assistant Director of Conferences and Events
  • Learn a new skill or tackle a project that you’ve put on the backburner! Through the DSA Virtual 101 Series we’ve helped people master Zoom, learn about virtual programming, and manage their Gmail Inbox (access password: z0+e=2iq). Take this time to develop yourself to be your best you!
• From Verna Holcomb, Manager, Tech Comms & Training
  • I found this article with tips on sitting properly to be a timely reminder for me, as I rub my aching lower back!

Access

• Faculty who need to access their offices to prep for summer classes or get materials for summer research should contact Jessica Lakin to make arrangements.

• The EC is now limited only to students and staff, who may gain access using their ID cards. Need a replacement ID? Contact Residence Life.

Drew Profs In the News

• Brianne Barker discusses who gets sickest from COVID-19 in Discover Magazine and how it reacts in different patients in Quartz.

• Catherine Keller answers “Is this an apocalypse?” in her opinion article for ABC Religion & Ethics.

• Jinee Lokaneeta and Sangay Mishra opine on living in NYC amid a pandemic in The Wire.

• Phoebe Tang’s Ask the Experts talk cited in a Washington Times article on government responses to coronavirus.

In Case You Missed It

• Celebrity James Van Der Beek checked in with his former Drew a cappella group 36 Madison Avenue, who helped raise money for COVID-19 relief charity. View his video message on Facebook

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew, the DSA and other divisions on social media @DrewUniversity, @drewstaffassociation and more!

• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home tips.

• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” —Fred Rogers

Good Wednesday to you, helpers. Thank you for all of the nominations for Changemaker of the Week and work-from-home tips submitted this past week.

Changemaker of the Week

• This week’s Changemaker is: Joan Galbraith, Director of Health Services

• Here’s what Joan’s colleagues had to say about her contribution to Drew and DVT:

“Joan took on new unprecedented challenges in the face of the Covid-19 outbreak.”

“Joan was able to keep the Health Service staffed and open without any disruption in service.”

“Joan was ready when the time came to switch our office to entirely telehealth.”

“She kept the students at Drew healthy and safe, while calming many fears of parents.”

“Joan has been there for the university and her staff through all of this, many nights losing sleep trying to figure out how best to take care of our students, who are our patients.”

Congratulations and thank you, Joan!

Work-from-Home Tips

• From Alex Bajcz, Assistant Professor of Biology: Interactivity, especially in big classes, can be tough. One approach that can work well in real classrooms is called a “Board Spray.” You pose a question, give students time to think, then everyone gets up and puts their answer on the board. I do something similar via Zoom chat—with a little positive reinforcement, you can really quickly get a sense of where your whole class is at without taking up a lot of class time. [This is a great tip for meetings too!]

• From Amy Hains, Events Planner, Launch: Eat three meals a day and two snacks, like a kid again! Being on a schedule like that makes you take much needed breaks during the day. Plus, it’ll keep your healthy eating on track.

• From Amy Sugerman, Assistant Director, Center for Civic Engagement: After checking my calendar and tasks list every morning, I add in two short breaks as calendar items—once in the morning and again in the afternoon—so Linus and I can go out for a brief walk outside.

Next Up on Thursday

• Virtual Series: Managing your Gmail Inbox with Verna Holcomb, Manager Technology Communications and Training, Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m. via Zoom

De-stress with a clutter free inbox! Create folders, organize incoming emails, work efficiently, and start getting that inbox down to zero!

This Friday: (Virtual) Day of Scholars

• The Day of Scholars, moderated by Provost Deb Liebowitz, will be streamed live on Friday, April 17 beginning at 3 p.m. Celebrate the achievements of Drew students and enjoy their performances, presentations and readings. Visit this link to view the line-up and participate. All staff are encouraged to attend!

In the News and from the Community

• Drew’s Associate Director of Health Services Kyle Weisholtz joins the fight against COVID-19. Read more.

• Drew alums provide career insights to students via virtual panels. Check them out.

• It’s National Student Employment Week, and supervisors are showing appreciation for all the hard work and support student employees provide. View the Facebook post.

• Jamie Connors C’23 talked to Drew’s Counseling Director James Mandala about mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. Read in the Morristown Green.

Engage & Reach Out

• Follow Drew on social media @DrewUniversity.

• Search “Drew University” on Facebook and Instagram—you’ll discover many department and student group pages that may interest you—like the Senior Art Show on Instagram at @senior_studio_2020!

• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home tips.

Thank you for taking a moment to fill out the recent COVID 19 climate survey.  It brought into increasing focus the heightened levels of stress that you are all facing, due to the combination of the social distancing policies, the rapid spread of the virus, the deteriorating economic situation, and the extended online learning environment. If you have not yet completed the survey, please take a few moments to share with us how you are managing:

• CLA COVID-19 Student Survey
• CSGS COVID-19 Student Survey
• TS COVID-19 Student Survey

In response to the feedback received, we are rapidly putting into action additional measures intended to alleviate some of the pressures you face related to academics.

We are extending the Grade Mode Change deadline to May 15. You now will be able to see your final grade in a class and THEN you will still have a few days to opt to change your grade to the Pass/Low Pass/Unsatisfactory (P/LP/U) for undergraduate courses or Pass/Unsatisfactory (P/U) for graduate courses. Please refer to this link for details regarding the grade mode change policy: COVID Academic policy revision.

This timing will allow you to consult with your instructors and advisers to determine whether or not the alternative grading option makes the most sense for your courses. The grade deadlines are on the academic calendar and we have added the new Grade Mode Change Deadline: https://www.drew.edu/registrars-office/about-us/academic-calendars/

• Final grades will be visible to students by Monday, May 11th
• Friday, May 15 is the last day for students to submit Grade Mode Change Requests to P/LP/U or P/U (for graduate students)
• Monday, May 18 — Summer Term begins

If you are feeling overwhelmed and are considering using the alternative grading option for a course, you should speak with your professor about the minimum requirements to receive a grade of “pass.” This may help reduce pressure since in some cases it might mean that you will not need to complete some of the outstanding assignments.

We have also extended the deadline for graduate students to upload their final graduate thesis, project, or dissertation to ProQuest and the university library. Normally, students must upload final graduate projects by April 17th. This deadline is now extended to May 4th.

If you have specific concerns for which you need additional support, please take note of the following contacts:

• For TS and CSGS students: contact tsacademicdean@drew.edu
• For CLA students: cladean@drew.edu

Sincerely,

Provost Liebowitz

All around the world, people are coping with the challenges brought by COVID-19. This crisis has touched—and changed—communities near and far, and our community at Drew is no exception, especially this week. As we conserve as many of our resources as possible and continue to focus almost singularly on teaching, learning and caring for our students, please know that the hard work, dedication and commitment of our employees is deeply appreciated, and your creativity, adaptation and collaboration—through connectedness even in this virtual landscape—are more critical than ever before. Thank you.

Changemaker of the Week

• This week’s Changemaker is: Megan McHugh, Director of Student Activities

Here’s what Megan’s colleagues had to say about her contribution to Drew and DVT:

“She is creative and energetic and a great team player/leader,”  “helping create community for the students and staff/faculty alike,” “headed into this crisis full steam ahead,” “is smart, creative, organized, always positive, always willing to help, an incredible team player and above all else, extremely kind.” “Megan’s virtual programming is incredible!” “She is a superstar!”

Zhoosh Up Your Zoom

• Add some fun to your next Zoom meeting with a customized Zoom background. Find collections of campus and athletics themes here, and feel free to share with others!

• Need help with setting your virtual background? Find a tutorial and many other helpful resources at this Zoom FAQ.

Updated Guidance and General Reminder

In light of emerging evidence concerning virus spread, the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Learn more.

Drew continues to follow its practices and guidelines in response to COVID-19, and as always, reminds the community to follow best practices to help impede the spread of respiratory viruses, as recommended by the CDC:

• Maintain appropriate social and physical distancing and follow the stay at home order. This includes staying away from campus unless you are authorized to be on campus.

• Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as keyboards, phones, and doorknobs.

• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.

• If you are sick, isolate yourself from others to avoid spreading illness. This means staying out of work, class, and avoiding public places. Stay home until you are fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, or as directed by your healthcare provider. You can use the self-monitoring form to track any symptoms you may have. The New Jersey Department of Health has posted information on where and how you may be tested in New Jersey.

• Cover your coughs. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or crook of your arm when you cough or sneeze (not your hands). Toss the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Practice other good health habits such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, drinking plenty of fluids, getting enough rest and sleep, and eating nutritious foods.

Interim Guidelines for Visiting Contractors/Vendors

• While the campus is closed for most business, we understand some contractors, vendors and technicians must visit campus to provide mandatory services for basic operation, safety and compliance. These guidelines during DVT have been implemented to ensure the health and safety of the Drew community.

In the News and from the Community

• Want to know what the Class of 2024 said about why they chose Drew? Check out our Instastory.

• See how Drew’s coaches have been staying sharp during their time at home. View the Facebook post.

• Kim Haupt C’23 is putting her time learning from home to good use. Read on.

• Our faculty continue to analyze the coronavirus from various perspectives. Catch up and see what’s on deck.

Engage

• Follow Drew on social media @DrewUniversity.

• …and connect with one another there too.

• Search “Drew University” on Facebook and Instagram—you’ll discover many department and student group pages that may interest you, for example, @DrewStaffAssociation on Instagram!

Reach Out

• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home tips.

• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu.

• Maintain appropriate social and physical distancing and follow the stay at home order. This includes staying away from campus unless you are authorized to be on campus.
• Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as keyboards, phones, and doorknobs.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• If you are sick, isolate yourself from others to avoid spreading illness. This means staying out of work, class, and avoiding public places. Stay home until you are fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, or as directed by your healthcare provider. You can use the self-monitoring form to track any symptoms you may have. The New Jersey Department of Health has posted information on where and how you may be tested in New Jersey.
• Cover your coughs. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or crook of your arm when you cough or sneeze (not your hands). Toss the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Practice other good health habits such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, drinking plenty of fluids, getting enough rest and sleep, and eating nutritious foods.

We will continue to update you through Drew’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website and via your Drew University email account. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at stuaff@drew.edu. Additionally, NJ.com has daily updates, including uplifting stories each night. To sign up for free text messages, check out their information here.
Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation as we work together to ensure the health and safety of our community.
Sincerely,
Frank Merckx, D.M.H.
Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs
Dean of Students

Welcome to this week’s Wednesday update. Thank you for all of the nominations for Changemaker of the Week and work-from-home tips submitted this past week. Keep them coming! Read on for this week’s Changemaker and collective wisdom.

In Case You Missed It

• The March edition of The UT Chronicles is posted. Topics include the current environment, video calls, Zoom advising, gmail signatures, warnings about virus fraud and sharing of good deeds. 
  • While we’re on the topic: Our first Zoom 101 staff training session is tomorrow, Thursday, April 2, at 2 p.m. Join here.   
• If you have not already done so, please review and submit the Drew Employee Confidentiality Agreement.  

Safety Tips for Working Remotely

Working remotely can be challenging, especially if you have never worked from home before. Here are some basic pointers:

• If possible, find a workspace that is reasonably quiet and free of distractions.
• Make sure that your phone lines and electrical cords are secure under a desk/table and away from a heat source.
• Check to ensure that temperature, lighting and ventilation are adequate in your workspace.
• Be sure that first aid supplies are readily available.
• Radiators and portable heaters should be located away from flammable items.
• Make certain that your computer equipment is connected to a surge protector.
• Equipment should be turned off when not in use.
• Materials and equipment should be in a secure place that is protected from damage or misuse.
• Make sure that your back is adequately supported. (Here’s an ergonomic checklist!)
• Don’t forget to get up, move around and stretch. 

DVT Work-from-Home Tips

And here are some additional tips, from your co-workers (share yours):

• Megan McHugh, Student Activities: Canva will be your best friend for making fun and engaging graphics—no skill needed! They even have templates you can use and just change the wording.
• Jennifer Islam, Center for Internships and Career Development: If your wifi is ever down, this is a great time for some professional or personal development: read a book, meditate, plan out projects, etc.
• Helen Ryan, Art/Music/Theatre: I am using this time to finally learn WordPress. I took a virtual lesson, and now I have skills that I never had time to do in the past. (Reach out to Neil McIntyre to schedule a WordPress training.)
• Kandice Joyce, Financial Aid: Get into a routine that is your “work day,” and get up, get dressed and go to work. Once work is done, close the door or close the laptop to help separate work and home time. Reach out to colleagues, family and friends to help stay connected.  

Changemaker of the Week

• This week’s Changemaker is: Shawn Spaventa!

Here’s what Shawn’s colleagues had to say about his contribution to Drew and DVT:

“Working tirelessly and generously,” “an amazing colleague under the best of circumstances, and these are far from that,” “above and beyond in his dedication to Drew” and “an integral part of strategizing instructional continuity planning and ensuring the transition to DVT for students, faculty, and staff is as seamless as possible.” Congratulations, Shawn!

In the News and from the Community

• From The Princeton Review: President Baenninger spoke with Editor-in-Chief Rob Franek C’93 about the challenges facing college-bound students right now. Watch—and share—the video.
• Drew keeps student activities programming running. Read the story.
• Drew class meme-ifies the coronavirus. Read the story.

Reach Out and Engage

• Follow Drew on social media @DrewUniversity
• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home tips. 
• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu. 

Your health and safety, and that of our campus, are our primary concerns. With that in mind, here is some information to help you as we go through these next few weeks on campus together. While we may not always have control over things happening around us, we do have control over our actions and responses.

If you are healthy/feeling well:

• Do everything you can to stay that way! Eat healthy foods; get plenty of rest and sleep; wash your hands frequently; avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes; and avoid smoking and vaping.
• Continue to practice social distancing. While on campus, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other people. This includes indoors and outdoors: enjoy a nice walk or run outside, but if you go with a friend maintain the 6 feet rule. Some people can be contagious even before they have any symptoms of an illness, which is why social distancing is imperative. And avoid congregating in groups.
• Stay away from those who are sick.

If you are sick:

• The most important thing to do if you are sick, regardless of the cause, is to self-isolate. This means staying in your room and avoiding contact with others to prevent spreading the illness. As a general rule, plan to self-isolate until you are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for at least 72 hours, and until other symptoms such as cough are mostly resolved.
• Contact the Health Service to speak with a clinician for advice. We can review your symptoms and help determine a plan of care. We can also review resources such as how to obtain meals on campus while you are recovering.
• Be advised there are no walk-ins permitted at the Health Service. Please call ahead (973-408-3414) or email (health@drew.edu) and a provider will respond. Check our website for more detailed information including our hours and after-hours/emergency medical care.

And while social distancing is crucial to preventing the spread of COVID-19, it is equally important not to socially isolate. Stay connected and engaged in safe ways such as FaceTiming friends, getting outdoors every day, checking in on loved ones—be creative! It is also important to maintain some type of routine, when life seems anything but right now. Get up at around the same time each day, get dressed as if you were “going” to class, and keep a regular sleep routine. Limit your exposure to the news and utilize resources such as Calm and Headspace to help manage any stress or anxiety. If you need to speak with a counselor, the counseling service is here for you: email counseling@drew.edu to set up a virtual appointment. If you feel you are in crisis, use the Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255; or the Crisis Text Line: text “hello” to 741-741.

We’re here for you, and together we can keep our campus healthy and safe!
—Heath Services

Moving to remote business and learning is a challenge, and it’s one this community has taken on with true Drew heart. We’re grateful to faculty and staff for your versatility, dedication and compassion during this change—you’re truly making a difference during DVT. And we want to hear your stories.

Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, and we’ll sing their praises in our communications the following week. Who’s this week’s Changemaker? Read on…

Along the same lines, if you’ve discovered an innovative way to work, tackled a back-burner project or identified a tip you’d like to share with colleagues, let us know using the same form. We’ll pass this wisdom on.

In Response to the Latest Executive Order

• Last weekend, to slow the spread of COVID-19, Governor Murphy announced a statewide stay-at-home order, which included guidance for nonessential personnel. We are in compliance with the latest executive order; however, as we have consistently done since the onset of this situation, we’re aiming to stay ahead of the curve and are, accordingly, re-examining and potentially reassigning some employee designations that were announced on March 14. Stay tuned.

What about Commencement?

• The Class of 2020 has spoken and will celebrate their graduation in a deferred ceremony. Graduating students made their overwhelming preference known by voting in a survey. Read more.

Notes from Budget and Procurement

• Last Thursday, budget managers were emailed the University’s interim DVT procedure for purchasing, invoice processing, records retention and check deposits. Find that interim procedure attached.
• The Budget and Procurement Offices have been actively reviewing all contracts and Purchase Orders with Budget Managers to identify what can be stopped or significantly modified to reflect the University’s needs during DVT. This is also a very good opportunity to improve the bottom line for FY20 by stopping all possible unnecessary spending. If you haven’t yet heard from the Budget or Procurement Offices and you know that you can stop the delivery of goods and services, or if you have a related question, please promptly email that information to purchases@drew.edu. 

Changemaker of the Week

• Our inaugural Changemaker is: Frank Merckx!
  Since January, Frank has been leading the charge to ensure Drew is compliant with federal, state and local orders related to COVID-19. He has guided other New Jersey colleges and universities with their planning and coordinated efforts among these schools. Amazingly, he’s managed all of this while retaining his sense of humor! Thank you, Frank.  

In the News and from the Community

• From CNBC: President Baenninger speaks about the challenges students face with the move to remote learning. Read the story.
• From nj.com: Drew students held mock college graduation after theirs was canceled due to coronavirus. Read the story and watch the video.
• From the Daily Record: Drew’s biology department donated materials to help health care workers fighting coronavirus. Read the story, and catch up on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Reach Out and Engage

• Follow Drew on social media @DrewUniversity.
• Nominate a colleague for Changemaker of the Week, share your DVT work-from-home tips. Questions? Email dsa@drew.edu.
• Have feedback or a general question about DVT? Email dvt@drew.edu. We’ll follow up and may share the info that emerged from your comment or question in next week’s update. 

Dear members of the Class of 2020,

I would like to thank so many of you for responding to the Commencement survey. Over 82 percent of 2020 grads completed the survey, with an overwhelming 89 percent preferring a deferred Commencement at a later date over a virtual event on May 9.

We will share more information regarding the date, which we hope will be scheduled for late this summer, as planning gets underway. Please note that you will receive your degrees in May no matter when the ceremony takes place.

You are all in my thoughts often as I know how disappointing this last Drew semester is for so many of you. I hope this news about Commencement will offer a bright spot in your day and give you something to look forward to in the months ahead. We at Drew look forward to celebrating your accomplishments and being together in The Forest soon.

Best wishes,
President Baenninger

Dear students and families,

We are again asking, if you are not currently in residence (Phase 2 below), that you refrain from coming to campus. Please be reminded that Drew’s phased approach to housing and moving promotes social distancing, preserves campus health and is in line with government guidance and industry-wide best practices.

As emailed to you earlier this week:

Phase 1: Now through Monday, March 23 at 1 p.m.

• Relates to any student currently remaining in residence on campus as of March 17.
• Students who have left residence halls are not yet permitted to return to retrieve room contents.
• Students must request an exception to remain in residence on campus after March 23.

Phase 2: Timeframe to be announced next week

• Relates to students who have already departed campus or students residing as of March 17 who were unable to remove all belongings in Phase 1.
• We will announce next week our plan for moving your belongings out, but as always, we must remain agile and flexible as conditions and guidance for Madison and New Jersey change.

At this time, please stay off campus until instructed. Building access for those who have departed campus has been suspended. If you come to campus, you will be asked to leave. We understand this may be an inconvenience for some, but is the preferred level of caution for many; however, your cooperation of our procedures is in accordance with state and federal guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic and helps reduce the risk of spread in our communities. 

Read more about Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Drew’s housing information and requirements.

Please adhere to these requirements to ensure the health and well-being of our on-campus community, and do not return to campus ahead of schedule.

Thank you,

Frank Merckx, D.M.H. Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs Dean of Students

Thank you to our faculty and staff for your dedication and understanding during this unprecedented situation—especially as we work together to support the needs of our students and their families while practicing social distancing. With this shift comes the need for adaptation and perseverance. We have resources in place to assist, and we’re continuously working to ensure you have answers to your questions.

A few notes in response to feedback this past week:

• Those of you who coordinate events might find this boilerplate language helpful for fielding event inquiries. (Be sure you’re attempting to view this document via your Drew account; same goes for the campus building access list.)

• During DVT, please be gently reminded that campus access is in accordance with your employee designation. Here’s an FAQ with more info.

• If you would like to discuss altering your employee designation, please reach out to Jessica Lakin (faculty, academic services staff) or Louise Hood (all other staff). Find some more information about that here.

• Some staff may have concerns related to their comfort working as either On-Site or Modified Virtual. Here’s some guidance.

• For the latest on supervising student employees during DVT, read this FAQ.

• Inevitably we’re all wondering when we can return to regular operations. Yesterday we announced we’d finish the semester virtually, dedicated to ensuring our students meet all of their academic requirements, which is in accord with Governor Murphy’s executive order of March 16 aimed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 with aggressive social distancing measures. This order is in effect until further notice. Concurrent with the CDC’s recommendation on March 15 to avoid gatherings of 50 or more people for eight weeks, that takes us at least through our scheduled Commencement date. The situation is changing by the day. If the guidance from the state and federal government shifts to a resumption of activities prior to the originally speculated timeframe end, we will accordingly respond and resume sooner.

From the community:

• Associate Professor of Biology Brianne Barker delivered a virtual presentation, Coronavirus Biology: Separating Fact from Fiction. Watch the video.
• Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs/Dean of Students Frank Merckx touched the hearts of many with a True Drew message. Read his Facebook post.
• Professor of Music Trevor Weston offered a tune to commemorate the move to DVT. Listen via his tweet.

Follow Drew @DrewUniversity.

• Online instruction began on Monday, March 16. For a list of technical support resources, visit the COVID-19 Student FAQ page.
• There are no changes to the Summer Term schedule planned at this time. All summer school courses will be converted to remote instruction; more details to follow.
• Drew’s International Travel Oversight Committee has made the decision to cancel all Drew-sponsored summer programs that involve travel components, either international or domestic. This includes all shortTRECs, theoTRECs, the Drew Honduras Project, the high school program in Ireland, and programs offered through Volunteers Without Borders. The NY Wall Street summer program will continue to be run this summer, even if in an adapted form. We realize the cancellation of certain credit-bearing programs, such as shortTRECs or theoTRECs, may have implications on your academic requirements, such as the off-campus requirement, cross cultural requirement, or credits required for graduation. The Center for Global Education or Dean’s office will follow up with guidance shortly. If you paid a deposit to hold your place in a program, Drew will provide a full refund of your deposit fee. The Center for Global Education will follow up with you as soon as feasible regarding refund logistics.

Commencement, NCAA Athletics, and Other Events

• We’re exploring two options for Commencement, scheduled to take place on May 9, 2020—a virtual ceremony and a deferred in-person ceremony. Graduating students will receive a follow-up email shortly with a link to a survey that will help us gauge your preferences.
• All NCAA Landmark Conference and non-conference play is suspended for the spring semester.
• Through the end of the semester, all internal, institutional, and external in-person events are either cancelled or will be moved to remote technology. The organizers of these events will be in touch with their constituencies about specifics.

Moving and Housing
As described above, we are moving into a different phase with residential life. Students will now be required to seek an exemption to remain on campus.
In order to support the practice of social distancing, Drew has developed a phased approach to housing and moving:

• Phase 1, which relates to any student currently remaining in residence on campus as of March 17, is outlined in detail below and at the housing and moving logistics page of the COVID-19 site. (Students who have left residence halls are not yet permitted to return to retrieve room contents, see below,)
• Phase 2, which relates to those who have already departed, is broadly outlined, with details to come after Phase 1 is completed.

Please visit the housing and moving logistics page of the COVID-19 site for information and procedures. You’ll also find FAQ specifically related to housing and moving.
Of note:

• When you are packing your room and moving out, we request that any family remain in their car and loading/parking area. Should you need assistance, please practice safe behavior as you work together with your classmates and others already present in the Drew community who have been in residence on campus to move your belongings out of your residence halls. This is for the health and wellness of all community members, and we appreciate your cooperation.
• If you are being picked up by family members, please ask them to wait in the parking/loading areas. Please ensure that anyone coming to campus is not experiencing symptoms of illness, including fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Anyone who lives in or travelled to areas with large numbers of COVID-19 cases should not come to campus.
• Unless you have received written permission from the University to remain in your residence hall, you are not permitted to live on campus and must vacate by Monday, March 23 at 1 p.m. Any student who has other concerns should email reslife@drew.edu.
• Not all students are in a position to leave campus. If you need to remain on campus for the rest of the semester, please complete this exemption request form and a University official will be in touch to discuss your situation.

Dining

• To follow CDC and State guidelines, the Commons has moved to “grab-and-go” service. During move-out, The Commons will be open during the following times:
  • Breakfast,  8 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
  • Lunch, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
  • Dinner, 4:30 p.m.–7 p.m.

• You may also grab-and-go from:
  • Starbucks, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • McLendon C-Store, 6 p.m.–midnight

• As on campus occupancy changes, our dining offerings will adjust accordingly. Those who are granted housing exemptions will be notified of these specific changes.

Questions Regarding Refunds
Drew University is devoting all human and financial resources to ensuring the safety of our students, faculty, and staff, and that we comply with all Executive Orders or requirements from Madison, the State of New Jersey, and the Federal Government.
Our singular focus now is on what needs to be done to ensure that all students complete the semester, and that graduating seniors and graduate degree candidates receive their degrees on time.
Recognizing the many complex issues that arise from the impact of the coronavirus on higher education, and our commitment to faculty, students, and staff, Drew is working to assess how to best ensure that our colleges and universities remain accessible and stable.
Among the most pressing issues resulting from COVID-19 are the very serious financial questions, including the various hardships faced by many of our own students and staff. As we address these, the University must act responsibly to avoid inadvertently forfeiting any financial relief coming from either the public sector, our insurance carriers, or our vendor contracts by making premature decisions.
Rest assured, I am working diligently to address these issues, while prioritizing the safety and security of our entire campus community.
I appreciate your understanding and will have more to share on these issues in the coming days.
Building Access
Many buildings are closed, including the Simon Forum. You can find a building access list here. For student-athletes, you’ll hear from your coach with instructions for both locker-room access (to retrieve personal belongings) and equipment return.
Mail Service
All students moving off campus must complete the Mail Forwarding Information Card and return it to either the Commons Mail Room (open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or email it to khealy@drew.edu by Wednesday, March 25. All mail received on-campus will be forwarded to the address provided. Packages that have arrived via USPS will also be forwarded to the address provided. Any packages received from alternate couriers (e.g., UPS, FedEx) will be returned to the shipper.
Resources

• Visit University’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date information on all University prevention practices, policies, information, and resources. Academic and technology support information is also available here.
• For concerns about bias or harassment, students can submit an incident report using this form.

To reiterate my sentiments from last week, when I wrote about the transition to distance learning, I acknowledge this is a deeply disappointing situation for you and your families. Your education and community experience is second only to your health and safety when it comes to priorities. And so our goal is to act now for the best chance for a return to normal life in The Forest. In the meantime, I wish you all the best as you continue with the semester.
No doubt you have additional questions. Provost Liebowitz will have regularly scheduled drop-in hours each week so that you may ask questions related to the implementation of Drew’s distance learning plan or about other courses; look for communications from her about those drop-in hours. And we pledge to stay in touch with you as we work through this staggering situation.
With sincere wishes for your continued health and safety,
MaryAnn Baenninger
President

Last Tuesday I wrote to inform you of Drew’s adoption of the practice of social distancing in order to decrease COVID-19 risk in our community. Beginning tomorrow, Monday, March 16, and continuing through a currently slated period of three weeks, the University will operate in Drew Virtual Time (DVT) for both learning and business. Making a rapid transition like this is a challenge, and Drew is up for that challenge. Our faculty and staff have been working tirelessly to refine and finalize plans for DVT so that we can continue to execute on our mission of academic excellence. This is a long message, full of important information on academics, learning online, campus life, building access, events and more; please take the time to read it carefully.

As of this date and time, there are no reported cases of COVID-19 on the Drew campus, and University leadership continues to monitor the situation. We know this is a considerable disruption, to say the least, and you have many questions. Our learning experience in the literal Forest is part of what makes Drew so special. Nevertheless, as a community, we are committed to delivering the quality education Drew is known for during these exceptional times—and we will.

With this shift comes disappointment; nonetheless, we are committed to keeping our students, faculty, and staff safe. Social distancing—a conscious effort to limit close contact with people—is our best strategy to reduce community transmission of COVID-19. By having fewer people on campus, we decrease the potential health risk to the larger community. Thank you for helping us to reduce that risk.

We are actively working to address questions related to your education and community experience—from your academic progress and financial aid to your living situations and visas, and everything in between. Though we may not have answers to all of those questions in the information below nor yet at the COVID-19 site, rest assured, that we continue to work on issues that have arisen because of this transition, and will keep you informed.

For now, please read this information, visit the COVID-19 site for FAQ specifically for students and look for further info about the next few weeks and beyond. (If you are curious, you can also find information at the COVID-19 site on how Drew is working with faculty and staff during this time.)

Academic Continuity

• We understand this transition might cause concern or anxiety. You should take this first week to get adjusted to this new online learning experience. Each class will be conducted and completed slightly differently, so specific questions should be sent to your course instructor. However, most course sessions will happen synchronously but via Zoom. This means that you are expected to login on the time and day(s) of your normal class session. 
• You should have received instructions from your instructor about how to access your classes online. Online instruction begins on Monday, March 16. For a list of technical support resources, visit the FAQ section of the COVID-19 site.
• You should continue communicating directly with your instructors for information pertaining to your coursework.
• Don’t have access to a computer or the internet? Notify your professor and contact the help desk.
• All synchronous class meetings will be held at the regularly scheduled time and day (Eastern Daylight Savings Time). Attendance for online courses is expected; if your circumstance prevents your participation in Zoom class meetings at the regularly scheduled time and day, please let your professor know.
• Tutoring appointments with the Center for Academic Excellence will be conducted online. Visit drew.mywconline.com for information. Tutoring for Theological School and Caspersen School ESOL students also continues online. Please direct questions for that program to Professor Brown.
• If you have concerns about your accommodations, please reach out to Director of Accessibility Resources Dana Giroux at dgiroux@drew.edu about your access needs surrounding online learning.
• Access to appointments and advising with Career Center staff remains available during normal business hours. Email career@drew.edu for an appointment; visit the FAQ section of the COVID-19 site for more info.
• Fall 2020 registration is happening according to the schedule posted on the Registrar’s website.
• There are no changes to the summer term schedule planned at this time. Updates will be provided in the event that classes are cancelled or converted to online.
• We know learning in a virtual environment calls for diligent work by faculty and students. Continue to apply yourselves with as much—if not more—dedication as you would if you were in the classroom, lab, studio, chapel, theatre or any on-campus space.

Internships, NYC Semesters, Community-Based Learning, Travel

Drew has suspended all on-site activity for internships. Some students may be able to work remotely with their internship employer, while others will have to complete alternate assignments to complete their internship. All CLA and Caspersen students with internships will be receiving an FAQ communication from the Career Center. All Theo students with internships will receive guidance from the Theological School’s Dean’s office.

• Faculty and student travel for all Drew activities, including NYC courses, has been suspended. Faculty are developing alternate assignments for NYC courses. Be in contact with your faculty member for this information.
• All Drew CBL off-campus activity has been suspended. All spring 2020 CBL students are receiving guidance from their corresponding faculty on how to complete their CBL credit requirements. Civic Scholars are not held accountable for circumstances beyond their control and should not worry about losing their scholarships.
• All university-sponsored academic travel is suspended for the remainder of the semester. No decisions have yet been made regarding summer programs involving travel (e.g., TRECs, Honduras Project, etc.). Visit the FAQ section of the COVID-19 site for more info.

Student Employment

• Details about student employment are still being worked through. No on-campus student employees should report to work on Monday, March 16 or Tuesday, March 17. Virtual employees will be contacted directly by their supervisor.

Business Continuity 

• Beginning on Monday, March 16, we will resume normal business practices in a modified, mainly remote way.
• All administrative offices, including the Registrar’s Office and Financial Aid, will be functioning virtually, and administrative processes will be operating as usual.

Building Closures

• As much of the staff and student populations—and nearly all faculty—will move to working remotely, we are temporarily taking as many buildings offline as possible. By closing buildings and limiting the number of employees on campus, we both encourage social distancing and reduce the need to clean and sanitize our many thousands of square feet of space so that we can focus on additional cleaning of spaces where community members need access. By dramatically limited access to campus facilities, we are also reducing the risk to staff who are doing the sanitizing. Locks will be changed on decommissioned buildings on Tuesday, March 16 at 5 p.m for the duration of the period of remote work. Visit the COVID-19 site for a list of these buildings.
• Labs/art rooms/etc. are not available for course-related work. Your instructors will advise how to complete work. 

Events and Gatherings

• Through at least April 3, all internal, institutional, and external events are postponed. Organizers should consider remote technology. This period of time may be extended as needed.
• All NCAA Landmark Conference and non-conference play is suspended until at least April 6.
• Club sports practices and contests are suspended at this time.
• We have not made a determination regarding Commencement, and expect to share updates in the next few weeks.
• We will continue to evaluate the situation and stay in touch with you about the postponement and resumption of events on campus.

Health Services

• Health Services will remain open with scheduling updates on their website.
• If you are feeling ill, please call the office at 973-408-3414 to speak with a clinician prior to scheduling an appointment or visiting Health Services. If you are home, contact by phone first, your local provider or emergency department.

Counseling Services

• Counseling Services will remain open with scheduling updates on their website.
• Students who are currently seeing a counselor will be notified of available options for remote meetings.
• Group sessions are suspended at this time.

Residence Life

• University residence halls will remain open for those who chose to remain in their rooms. Residents who chose to reside elsewhere during this three-week period will be unable to return to the residence hall until on-campus classes resume.
• The Guest Policy is suspended; no guest will be authorized to be in the residence halls.
• Residents who choose to host other Drew residents in their room should use best hygiene practices, including social distancing to avoid close contact.
• Our professional residence life team will remain on campus for student support. An updated duty roster will be shared with the community as needed.
• The halls remain under 24-hour quiet hours as a way to enhance the practices of social distancing.
• If you have not already—or if your plans have changed—please submit the Drew University Residency Plans during COVID-19 form.
• If you are graduating in May, are unable to go home and continue to need housing, we will continue to house you during this global emergency.
• While we currently do not have anyone in this situation, the University has identified rooms for residents who may need to isolate if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, discharged from the hospital and are unable to return home. Food will be delivered to the location. Medical services will be provided through Health Services and local authorities as appropriate.

Commuting Students

• Commuter students should inform us of where they are residing during this period by submitting the Drew University Residency Plans during COVID-19 form.
• As the academic areas of campus are closed, commuters should remain off campus. If you have on-campus employment, please speak with your supervisor regarding the plans.

For Our Students whose Permanent U.S. Home Is Drew

• A staff member from International Student Services will be available in the Ehinger Center to meet with students from March 16 through April 3, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 pm.

Dining

• Peet’s Coffee House and the Ehinger Center Food Court are closed.
• Other establishments are as follows:
  • Starbucks, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Commons, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • McLendon C-Store, 6 p.m.–midnight
• When dining in the Commons, instead of sitting directly across from one another, practice social distancing by staggering your seating.
• All dining facilities have transitioned to pre-packaged or served/plated items; consider taking your meals in your room.

Mail Service

• Mail Services in the Commons are available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 Library

• On-campus and remote library and instructional technology services are outlined in this guide.

Simon Forum

• The Forum is closed.

Bookstore

• The Bookstore will not be open during DVT. However, the bookstore website is extending FREE GROUND SHIPPING to avoid disruption. The bookstore’s priority is to ensure the campus community has textbooks and other essential items. Please check the website for updates.

Resources

• Visit University’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date information on all University prevention practices, policies, information, and resources.
• For concerns about bias or harassment, students can submit an incident report using this form.

We know how disappointing this situation is for our students and families. You’re not working in your labs or in your studios, not worshipping or creating theatre or music as a community, not venturing to NYC for class or clubs, not practicing your sports. Your education and community experience is second only to your health and safety when it comes to priorities. And so our goal is to act now for the best chance for a return to normal life in The Forest.

By having fewer people on campus and limited face-to-face interaction, we decrease the potential health risk to the larger community. Your cooperation allows us to care for our community at large, especially for those at high risk. Thank you for your continued understanding.

I want to publicly thank our dedicated and talented faculty and staff, who have been diligently working around the clock for Drew during this unprecedented crisis. We will communicate with you as far in advance as possible regarding a return to on-campus learning and business after April 3. You’ll find this message and FAQ for our community at our COVID-19 site. I urge you to please take care of yourself and your loved ones. We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

MaryAnn Baenninger President

Dear Drew faculty,

Last Tuesday I wrote to inform you of Drew’s adoption of the practice of social distancing in order to decrease COVID-19 risk in our community. Beginning tomorrow, Monday, March 16, and continuing through a currently slated period of three weeks, the University will operate in Drew Virtual Time (DVT) for both learning and business. Making a rapid transition like this is a challenge, and Drew is up for that challenge. As you are well aware, our faculty and staff have been working tirelessly to refine and finalize plans for DVT so that we can continue to execute on our mission of academic excellence.

There are no reported cases of COVID-19 on the Drew campus at the time of this writing, and University leadership continues to monitor the situation. As you know, the university is practicing social distancing—a conscious effort to limit close contact with people, thereby reducing community transmission of a virus, in this case COVID-19. We are doing this for many reasons, the most important of which is to keep our students, faculty and staff safe. By having fewer people on campus, we decrease the potential health risk to the larger community.

Drew has been working to prepare for this situation in earnest since January. Some of you are experienced with remote teaching, and, thanks to the work of our incredible academic leadership team, you are as prepared as possible to make the transition to distance education and to support our students. Yes, we expect some bumps in the road, from which we’ll learn, adapt, and move forward. Please refer to the email Provost Liebowitz sent on Friday with resources and information for getting your course online.

We have been further refining policies for office and building access over the past few days. At this point, all faculty members have been designated Virtual employees. You will be able to access your office and/or lab spaces on Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to retrieve anything necessary for your virtual work. Beginning Wednesday, the expectation is that you will be working exclusively remotely.

We understand there may be exceptions to this policy. For example, we have reserved the Zoom-enabled classrooms in Seminary Hall for use by faculty members who are having great difficulties making the transition to distance learning. Another example might be a faculty member who has to be in a science lab in order to present something for an online session with students. If you are requesting an exception to your Virtual employee status for any reason, please contact provost@drew.edu. You will need to receive clearance to be on campus prior to coming to campus.

The academic leadership team has also drafted a series of FAQs for students about instructional continuity. If you have questions about what students have been told, please review those FAQs on the website.

Please read this information, visit the COVID-19 site, and look for further info about the next few weeks and beyond. (You can also find information at the COVID-19 site on how Drew is working with students and staff during this time.)

Employee Designations

In order to decrease the potential health risk to our community through social distancing, we are moving to mostly remote business practices, which necessitated the designation of employee type—in short, we had to figure out where you physically will be working. Most staff are working virtually; some staff members are designated as Modified Virtual and On-Site staff. As noted above, at this point all faculty members have been designated as Virtual employees.

Building Closures

Additionally, we are temporarily taking as many buildings offline as possible. Visit the COVID-19 site for a list of building closures. By closing buildings and limiting the number of employees on campus, we encourage social distancing and reduce the need to clean and frequently sanitize our many thousands of square feet of space (thereby reducing risk to staff who are doing the sanitizing).

Locks will be changed on decommissioned buildings on Tuesday, March 17, at 5 p.m for the duration of DVT. Requested exceptions should be directed to Stephanie McCormick only for access to decommissioned buildings with lock changes. Instructional continuity related requests should be directed to provost@drew.edu. You will need to receive explicit clearance to be on campus prior to coming to campus.

Due to other issues and concerns during DVT, staff from Public Safety SHOULD NOT be called to pick up items from your offices. If you have not obtained what you need from your work space prior to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, you will not be able to obtain it.

Health & Wellness of On-Site or Modified Virtual Staff

Drew has maintained CDC-recommended cleaning guidelines for the flu season as well as increased cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces and added disinfecting practices in public buildings.

As an FYI, beginning Wednesday, March 18, Drew will take these additional measures:

• Relocate staff workspaces in a way that supports social distancing. For instance, we will limit offices to one-person occupancy or ensure at least six feet of distance between work spaces.
• Sanitize and close those buildings taken offline during this time. Any access into these buildings for any purpose will be monitored and controlled. By taking buildings offline, we can deploy more cleaning resources to the buildings that are occupied.
• Increase cleaning detail following current CDC guidelines for Institutes of Higher Education that do not have a suspected or known case of COVID-19.
• Provide hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and/or disinfecting spray for On-Site staff for use in designated workspaces
  • Staff working on campus will continue to be expected to disinfect personal work spaces, computers and phones with wipes and/or spray provided in the buildings. Regular cleaning and trash management will continue to be provided in offices and buildings designated for use.
• Notify all employees of any confirmed case of COVID-19 within our community.

Campus Usage

Buildings will be available during regular hours until Tuesday, March 17, at 5 p.m. to retrieve personal belongings and needed work supplies. After that time, offices and certain buildings will be closed and locked throughout the duration of DVT. Please practice social distancing if you and your colleagues are entering buildings. After accessing your office Monday or Tuesday, please lock the office door upon leaving.

Public Safety and the Department of Facilities will remain on campus and will periodically check on spaces. All buildings will be locked at all times unless there is approved activity in that space. All gates to campus will be closed with the exception of Lancaster Ave.

Events and Gatherings

• Through at least April 3, all internal, institutional, and external events are postponed. Organizers should consider remote technology. This period of time may be extended as needed.
• All NCAA Landmark Conference and non-conference play is suspended until at least April 6.
• We have not made a determination regarding Commencement, and expect to share updates in the next few weeks.
• We will continue to evaluate the situation and stay in touch with you about the postponement and resumption of events on campus.

I want to publicly thank our dedicated and talented faculty and staff, especially members of the DVT Working Group, who have been diligently working around the clock for Drew during this unprecedented crisis. We’ll send updates to the Drew community every Wednesday during DVT. Please check your Drew email, visit our COVID-19 site and follow us on social media @DrewUniversity for updates on Monday and beyond. Only emergencies will be communicated via the Drew University Emergency Notification System.

By having fewer people on campus and practicing social distancing, we decrease the potential health risk to the larger community. Your cooperation allows us to care for our community at large, especially for those at high risk. Thank you for your continued understanding.

You’ll find this message and FAQ for our community at our COVID-19 site. I urge you to please take care of yourself and your loved ones. We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

MaryAnn Baenninger President

Dear Drew staff,

Last Tuesday I wrote to inform you of Drew’s adoption of the practice of social distancing in order to decrease COVID-19 risk in our community. Beginning tomorrow, Monday, March 16, and continuing through a currently slated period of three weeks, the University will operate in Drew Virtual Time (DVT) for both learning and business. Making a rapid transition like this is a challenge, and Drew is up for that challenge. We have been working tirelessly to refine and finalize plans for DVT so that we can continue to execute on our mission of academic excellence and support our staff, the backbone of our community. This is a long message, full of important information; please take the time to read it carefully.

There are no reported cases of COVID-19 on the Drew campus at the time of this writing, and University leadership continues to monitor the situation. As you know, the University is practicing social distancing—a conscious effort to limit close contact with people, thereby reducing community transmission of a virus, in this case COVID-19. We are doing this for many reasons, the most important of which is to keep our students, faculty and staff safe. By having fewer people on campus, we decrease the potential health risk to the larger community.

We know this is a considerable disruption, to say the least, and you have many questions. Please read this information carefully, visit the COVID-19 site for FAQ specifically for staff and look for weekly updates by email on Wednesdays. (You can also find information at the COVID-19 site on how Drew is working with faculty and students during this time.)

Again, I know this is a lot of information to take in. Please carefully read through it, as we’ve thoughtfully prepared the information in the hopes that many of your questions will be answered through both the message and the FAQ specifically for staff. You’ll also note that, if you do have further questions, we have indicated a point-person to whom you may address questions.

Employee Designations

In order to decrease the potential health risk to our community through social distancing, we’re moving to mostly remote business practices, which necessitated the designation of employee type—in short, we had to figure out where you physically will be working. Most staff are working virtually; some staff members are designated as Modified Virtual, Modified Virtual – Mail Only, or On-Site staff.

At the DSA meeting last Wednesday, you were introduced to members of the DVT Working Group. Several members of that group were assigned as designated representatives for specific departmental areas within the University. Their instructions were to liaise with supervisors and managers to determine which staff members will be able to work entirely virtually; which staff members will need a modified schedule with most of their work managed virtually and a portion of the work completed on campus; which staff members will be asked to come to campus only to pick up the mail, but otherwise will be working virtually; and which staff members’ work needs to be entirely on campus.

We were able to jumpstart these discussions by using a survey document that had already been created for the one-week campus shut-down planned for May electrical work. This document, which was developed with leadership staff input, indicated which members of the staff could perform their responsibilities remotely for that week and which members of the staff needed to be on campus. Using this electrical shut-down plan as the basis for our current discussions, we were able to review each area with the supervisors and adapt it to this rapidly unfolding situation. For the last three days, the people assigned to this task have been in conversations with staff supervisors, managers, and VPs, in order to complete the staffing determinations. Here are the four designations and their definitions:

1. Virtual: If you are designated as a “Virtual” staff member during DVT, you will be expected to work 100% of your normal work hours off campus. Your office building will be available to you on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for you to retrieve your personal belongings and pick up any work supplies that you anticipate you will need.
2. Modified Virtual: If you are designated as a “Modified Virtual” staff member, you will work the majority of your hours off campus beginning Monday, March 16. However, in consultation with your supervisor, you will be asked to be on campus for a limited planned period of time each week to perform work that cannot be completed virtually, e.g. processing checks or sending out transcripts. You either will work in your usual office, or in an alternate office space that has been assigned specifically to you, and only you. The latter office assignment would result if your building was one of several that will be closed for the duration of DVT. If part of your responsibilities include dealing with the mail, please pick it up at the Pepin Service Center and take it back to your workspace. If you have outgoing mail please deliver it to the Service Center. The Service Center Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be no individual building mail delivery or pick up during DVT.
3. Modified Virtual – Mail Only: If you are designated as a “Modified Virtual – Mail Only” staff member, you will be entirely a Virtual employee starting on Monday, March 16 with the exception of picking up your department’s mail at the Pepin Service Center on a regular basis (depending on your department’s needs). Please see above in #2 for the Service Center hours. You may review the mail at the conference table in Pepin, ETC-West, Suite 215, scan it to your Drew email address as needed, and return it to the Mail Room for storage. Alternatively, under special circumstances, a department may request the option to take mail off campus. Please submit this request to Louise Hood with a short explanation for this necessity. If approved, Louise will provide you with guidelines for mail security. Please do not take the mail off-site until that permission has been granted. Modified Virtual – Mail Only staff members will not be assigned office space and will otherwise not be working on campus.
4. On-Site: If you are designated as an “On-Site” staff member, then you will be asked to work your regular hours entirely on campus starting on Monday, March 16. Please see #2 above regarding mail pick up and delivery.

In addition to Category 1 Virtual staff members having access on Monday and Tuesday as was mentioned above, all employees, regardless of their designation, will be able to access their offices/workspaces from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday to retrieve personal belongings and supplies. Please pick up what you need and leave the building.

As a reminder: employees are asked to practice social distancing and good hygiene 

when on campus. See “How to Take Care of Yourself” on Drew’s COVID-19 webpage. 

Sanitizing stations and sanitizing wipes or spray will be available.

If you are designated as a Category 2, 3, or 4 staff member, you will receive a follow-up email this evening by 8 p.m. from either Jessica Lakin (academic staff), Louise Hood (non-academic staff), or your supervisor, regarding your designation, and your assigned workspace (if it is different than your normal space and you are being relocated due to building closures).

In order to reduce the likelihood of surface transmission from one person to another, we have intentionally chosen to limit departmental representation as On-Site or Modified Virtual Staff to as few people as possible.

If you do not receive a follow-up email by 8 p.m. tonight, Sunday, March 15, you should assume that you are in Category 1 as a 100% Virtual staff member. 

If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQ specifically for staff. If you still have questions after reading this email and the FAQs thoroughly, please hold them until after 8 p.m. this evening when all emails will have gone out. After 8 p.m. you may email Kristin Bruno-Bates.

Please know that our response to COVID-19 and the planning for DVT staffing has to be fluid. We will be continually reevaluating decisions and making staff designation changes as the situation warrants.

Building Closures

We are temporarily taking as many buildings offline as possible. Visit the COVID-19 site for a list of building closures. By closing buildings and limiting the number of employees on campus, we both encourage social distancing and reduce the need to clean and sanitize regularly our many thousands of square feet of space (thereby reducing risk to staff who are doing the sanitizing). We hope this will also reduce expenses and unnecessary staff time spent managing facilities to keep them safe.

Locks will be changed on decommissioned buildings on Tuesday, March 17 at 5 p.m for the duration of Drew Virtual Time (DVT). Exceptions to entry requests for important matters should be requested of Stephanie McCormick. Instructional continuity related requests should be directed to provost@drew.edu. You will need to receive explicit clearance to be on campus prior to coming to campus.

Health & Wellness of On-Site or Modified Virtual Staff

Drew has maintained CDC-recommended cleaning guidelines for the flu season as well as increased cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces and added disinfecting practices in public buildings. Beginning Wednesday, March 18, Drew will take these additional measures:

• Relocate staff workspaces in a way that supports social distancing. For instance, we will limit offices to one-person occupancy or ensure at least six feet of distance between work spaces.
• Sanitize and close those buildings taken offline during this time. Any access into these buildings for any purpose will be monitored and controlled. By taking buildings offline, we can deploy more cleaning resources to the buildings that are occupied.
• Increase cleaning detail following current CDC guidelines for Institutes of Higher Education that do not have a suspected or known case of COVID-19.
• Provide hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and/or disinfecting spray for On-Site staff for use in designated workspaces
  • Staff working on campus will continue to be expected to disinfect personal work spaces, computers and phones with wipes and/or spray provided in the buildings. Regular cleaning and trash management will continue to be provided in offices and buildings designated for use.
• Notify all employees of any confirmed case of COVID-19 within our community.

Campus Usage

Buildings will be available during regular hours until Tuesday, March 17 at 5 p.m. to retrieve personal belongings and needed work supplies. After that time, offices and certain buildings will be closed and locked throughout the duration of DVT. Please practice social distancing if you and your colleagues are entering buildings. After accessing your office Monday or Tuesday, please lock the office door upon leaving.

Public Safety and the Department of Facilities will remain on campus and will periodically check on spaces. All buildings will be locked at all times unless there is approved activity in that space. All gates to campus will be closed with the exception of Lancaster Ave.

Virtual Work Expectations

• During DVT, you are expected to work your normal business hours, unless notified of another schedule by your divisional vice president.
• Each team should create a plan with their supervisors for work during DVT including specific tasks, daily goals and checking in with their colleagues.
• For supervisors of student employees: No on-campus student employees should report for work on Monday and Tuesday, March 16–17. If there are student employees in your department who can work virtually and for which you have virtual work, please contact them and let them know this. Additional information will be provided by Wednesday, March 18. Please direct questions to Colby McCarthy, Associate Vice President for Scholarships and Financial Aid or Carolyn Parelli, Associate Director for Student Employment.
• Budget managers will be contacted regarding next steps and processes for any outstanding invoices, existing purchase orders or other accounting needs.
• On Monday and Tuesday, March 16–17, staff authorized to work remotely will have an opportunity to visit their campus offices to retrieve work files. This will be an opportunity to also take a modest amount of consumable office supplies for use while working at home. After those supplies are consumed, after obtaining approval, individuals may make small replenishment purchases. For example, acceptable purchases in this category include products such as paper, pens, file folders, Post-it notes, and toner or ink cartridges. Sanitation products, such as wipes, may be purchased for those staff working on campus. More information about making these purchases is coming in a separate document.
• If you are not currently receiving your paycheck by direct deposit, all faculty and staff paychecks will be mailed to the mailing address currently on file with the university. You can sign up for direct deposit by reviewing the Direct Deposit Guidance form. For questions, please contact payroll@drew.edu.

Virtual Work Technology

• If you are an hourly employee, you will need to clock in as you normally would. The Working from Home: Technology FAQ is an excellent resource for instructions on how to log in to ADP from your home computer.
• Please do not forward office phones to personal cell phones. Rather, set an away message asking callers to contact you via email. Please visit the Working From Home: Technology FAQ page for assistance.
• During DVT, please change your voicemail message using this text as a model: You’ve reached the voicemail of [NAME, TITLE/DEPT]. Through April 3, Drew has moved to virtual business operations as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19. I’ll be checking my voicemail, but would appreciate you also reaching out to me by email at [YOUR EMAIL]@drew.edu. Thank you.
• If needed, the University has a limited number of loaner laptops (PC and Mac) available. We do not recommend removing any technical equipment from offices. Please review the loaner policies and complete the Loaner Laptop Request form by noon on Monday, March 16. Laptops will be allocated based on availability and after consultation with your supervisor.
• UT recommends the use of Google Hangouts Chat as a communications tool. Please reference the Working From Home: Technology FAQ  for guidance on Google Hangouts.
• Please refer to the Zoom FAQ guidance provided by University Technology and the Media Resource Center.
• Please review guidance from the Working from Home: Technology FAQ if you have technology questions while working from home, contact the University Technology Help Desk at helpdesk@drew.edu or open a support ticket.
• To meet the needs of the virtual workforce, several internet providers are making accommodations. Please visit the COVID-19 site for information.

Personnel Matters

• During DVT, you may choose to use your floating holidays or vacation time; however, you cannot use sick time (unless you are ill) as this is not allowed per the NJ Paid Sick Leave Policy.
• Under the NJ Paid Sick Leave Act, you may use earned sick leave to care for a family member. If the period of care is extended, Family Medical Leave Act and New Jersey’s Family Leave Act will go into effect and employees can apply for New Jersey’s Family Leave Insurance.
• Drew continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, and discussions about a possible DVT extension into May continue. We’ll continue to keep you posted as decisions are made.
• The Acorn Academy is following CDC guidelines and will remain open at this time.
• There is a possibility of short-term layoffs/furloughs, but no decisions have been made at the time of this writing. Working groups are meeting to review next steps for staff in consultation with supervisors.
• All those who feel ill should not come to campus. Please evaluate any symptoms you may have and coordinate your care by calling your physician’s office. If it is an emergency, contact 9-1-1.
• If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you should follow your physician’s guidance and notify your supervisor and Human Resources at humres@drew.edu or leave a voicemail at 973-408-3223.

Events and Gatherings

• Through at least April 3, all internal, institutional, and external events are postponed. Organizers should consider remote technology. This period of time may be extended as needed.
• All NCAA Landmark Conference and non-conference play is suspended until at least April 6.
• Club sports practices and contests are suspended at this time.
• We have not made a determination regarding Commencement, and expect to share updates in the next few weeks.
• We will continue to evaluate the situation and stay in touch with you about the postponement and resumption of events on campus.

Dining

• Peet’s Coffee House and the Ehinger Center Food Court are closed.
• Other establishments are as follows:
  • Starbucks, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Commons, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • McLendon C-Store, 6 p.m.–midnight

Simon Forum

• The Simon Forum is closed.

I want to publicly thank our dedicated and talented faculty and staff, especially members of the DVT Working Group, who have been diligently working around the clock for Drew during this unprecedented crisis. We’ll send updates to the Drew community every Wednesday during DVT. Please check your Drew email, visit our COVID-19 site, where you’ll find this and all messages to the community, and follow us on social media @DrewUniversity for updates on Monday and beyond. Only emergencies will be communicated via the Drew University Emergency Notification System.

By having fewer people on campus and practicing social distancing, we decrease the potential health risk to the larger community. Your cooperation allows us to care for our community at large, especially for those at high risk. Thank you for your continued understanding.

I am moved by the resilience that you all have shown in the face of this challenge, and I’m deeply grateful for the way in which you have all come together under very difficult circumstances—it’s “true Drew.” I look forward to the time when we are together in The Forest again.

Thank you,

MaryAnn Baenninger President

Dear members of the Drew community,

Thank you all for your understanding as we refine our planning for this quickly evolving situation around COVID-19 (known as coronavirus). As we announced this past Wednesday, the University begins Drew Virtual Time on Monday, March 16, with a slated end date of Friday, April 3. Drew, like many institutions, has adopted the practice of social distancing.

In order to make ready the community to support remote learning and business beginning this Monday, today and tomorrow were purposefully chosen as preparation days (no classes for students and faculty; remote work for nonessential staff, as you would in the case of a snow emergency, acknowledging some staff, such as those at the Acorn Academy, are in unique situations that necessitate work on campus today and tomorrow).

We anticipated this period of uncertainty as we refine our plans. And your questions serve to increase the comprehensiveness of our planning, so please keep them coming and know that we are purposefully waiting to give you a set of inclusive answers for our Monday start of Drew Virtual Time. If you have questions for which answers would lend themselves to a FAQ list, please email DSA Chair Kristin Bruno at dsa@drew.edu.

In this meanwhile, please do not make local decisions in your department regarding specific work arrangements and access to campus facilities. Rest assured, we are working to address all of these topics and will be in touch with comprehensive touchpoints on Monday. If you have questions that must be answered immediately, please direct them to your divisional vice president.

Please check your Drew email, visit our COVID-19 site, and follow us on social media @DrewUniversity for updates on Monday and beyond.

Again, we have no reported cases of COVID-19 on the Drew campus. We will continue to evaluate the situation and stay in touch with you as far in advance as possible about a return to on-campus learning and business after April 3.

Thank you again for your cooperation. The health and well-being of our campus community are our top priorities as we prepare for Monday’s move to Drew Virtual Time.

Sincerely,
MaryAnn Baenninger
President

Dear members of the Drew community,

I’m writing today to inform you of several new policies and processes developed in response to the rapidly changing situation around COVID-19 (known as coronavirus). Beginning Monday, March 16, and continuing for a period of three weeks, through Friday, April 3, Drew will move to virtual instruction and primarily remote business practices. Drew, like many institutions following the guidance of public health officials, is adopting a practice of social distancing. Please read to the end of this message. [Read the President’s letter in Mandarin（中文）.]

From the onset of COVID-19, we have been and are continually monitoring global and local factors, balanced with guidance and best practice within higher education. University leaders have developed structures that allow us to agilely take the best actions to safeguard our community while fulfilling our mission of academic excellence.

Though we have no reported cases of COVID-19 on the Drew campus and, at the time of this writing, the public health risk in New Jersey is low, we acknowledge that spread is occurring in various parts of the country and our state. Our decision is consistent with Governor Murphy’s declaration just yesterday of a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency in the state of New Jersey, as well as the updated guidance from the CDC.

All face to face classes are cancelled on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, March 11–13, as we finalize ongoing preparations to move to online—and in some cases remote—instruction and business operations beginning Monday, March 16 (see “Academic Continuity” below). Courses previously scheduled in online delivery methods will be held this week as usual.  A Zoom meeting of the University faculty will take place today, Tuesday, March 10, at 4:15 p.m. to address faculty-specific planning and questions.

For the remainder of this week, and throughout the time of virtual instruction, University residence halls and other community services (see below) will remain open for those who choose to remain on campus. All resident and commuter students should inform us of where they are residing during this period by submitting the Drew University Residency Plans during COVID-19 form by Friday, March 13. Please complete this form even if you will be staying on campus in your currently assigned room.

On Thursday and Friday, nonessential staff are asked to work remotely as you would in the case of a snow emergency; for staff members whose positions prevent them from working remotely, alternate arrangements will be provided. Beginning Monday, March 16, we will resume normal business practices in a modified, remote way (see “Business Continuity” below). Staff members who are not experiencing any symptoms of illness are expected to work on campus on Wednesday, March 11 as usual. The day will conclude with an information session at 4 p.m. in Crawford Hall at the Ehinger Center (or via Zoom meeting) where staff-specific concerns will be addressed.

From now through April 3, all events and gatherings on campus are postponed. This includes all Drew Forum, Admissions, student/club, and rental events. Work-related events and meetings should be conducted remotely. We will continue to evaluate the situation and stay in touch with you about the postponement and resumption of events on campus.

We recognize this situation may cause inconvenience, anxiety, and disappointment within our community, but the potential consequences of not acting at this time outweigh the disruption in the short term. We strongly believe our actions today will give us the best chance to decrease risk in our community.

We also understand that you will have many questions about the next few weeks and beyond. For now, please read this information carefully, and know we will stay in touch.

Academic Continuity

• For Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, March 11–13, in-person classes are cancelled as we continue preparations to move to the online learning format. Courses previously scheduled in online delivery methods will be held this week as usual.
• Students, if you haven’t already, you will receive instructions from your professor about how to access your classes online before 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. Online instruction begins on Monday, March 16.
• We recognize that some classes cannot easily move to a typical online format. Your professor will let you know about alternate arrangements for these classes.
• Faculty, resources for Coronavirus Response Resources and Information and Pedagogical Support for Instructional Continuity are available for your guidance and support.
• Please attend the University Faculty meeting today at 4:15 pm. See the Provost’s previous email for details.

Business Continuity

• Staff, unless instructed by your supervisor, please plan to work remotely on Thursday and Friday.
• If you are unable to work remotely, alternate arrangements will be provided. Please be in touch with your supervisor.
• Beginning on Monday, March 16, we will resume normal business practices in a modified, mainly remote way. Further communications are forthcoming prior to Monday, March 16.
• In some cases, staff will be determined to be essential to business continuity; those staff members will receive specific communication regarding their on-campus work arrangements.
• All needed meetings should move to a Zoom format.
• Find a work-from-home technology FAQ here.
• If you are not experiencing any symptoms of illness, please report to campus on Wednesday, March 11, for work as usual and to take part in an information session at 4 p.m. in Crawford Hall at the Ehinger Center (or via Zoom meeting) where staff-specific concerns will be addressed.
• Questions should be directed to your respective divisional Cabinet member.

Events and Meetings

• Through April 3, all internal, institutional, and external events are postponed.
• All work-related events will be conducted remotely unless otherwise specified by a supervisor.
• See below for information regarding NCAA/Landmark Conference athletics events.

Health Services

• Health Services will remain open with scheduling updates on their website.
• If you are feeling ill, please call the office at 973-408-3414 to speak with a clinician prior to scheduling an appointment or visiting Health Services.

Counseling Services

• Counseling Services will remain open with scheduling updates on their website.
• Students who are currently seeing a counselor will be notified of available options for remote meetings.
• Group sessions will be suspended at this time.

Residence Life

• University residence halls will remain open for those who chose to remain in their rooms. Residents who chose to reside elsewhere during this three-week period will be unable to return to the residence hall until on-campus classes resume.
• The Guest Policy is suspended; no guest will be authorized to be in the residence halls.
• Residents who choose to host other Drew residents in their room should use best hygiene practices, including social distancing to avoid close contact.
• Our professional residence life team will remain on campus for student support. An updated duty roster will be shared with the community as needed.
• All resident and commuter students should inform us of where they are residing during this period by submitting the Drew University Residency Plans during COVID-19 form by Friday, March 13.

Commuting Students

• Commuter students should inform us of where they are residing during this period by submitting the Drew University Residency Plans during COVID-19 form.

Dining

• Peet’s Coffee House and the Ehinger Center Food Court will be closed beginning on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.
• The Commons, Starbucks and the C-Store will be open for regular hours through this week. Additional information on the dining schedule will be announced at the end of the week.
• All dining facilities are transitioning to pre-packaged or served/plated items.

Library

• On-campus and remote library and instructional technology services are outlined in this guide.

Simon Forum

• The Forum will remain open through this week and schedule updates will be sent as appropriate.
• Only Drew students, faculty, and staff are permitted to use Forum facilities.

NCAA Athletics

• For Conference sport teams in their active season, all practices and contests will continue.
• The university will continue to follow guidance from the NCAA and Landmark Conference for further steps.

Club Sports

• Club sports practices and contests are suspended at this time.

Travel Update

• All university-sponsored academic travel is suspended. Please check any applicable conference or meeting refund cancellation policies and note that, since many similar events are being cancelled, you may be eligible for a refund.
• For faculty related travel questions, contact either cladean@drew.edu or tsdean@drew.edu.
• For staff related travel questions, contact Chief of Staff Barb Bresnahan at bbresnahan@drew.edu.

Resources

• Visit University’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date information on all University prevention practices, policies, information, and resources.
• For concerns about bias or harassment, students can submit an incident report using this form, and employees should contact Human Resources at 973-408-3223. In this unusual time, our community values of respect and consideration for each other are especially important. Additionally, the CDC offers guidance on stigma and resilience, available here.

I want to offer my thanks to our staff and faculty, as well as our partners in our hometown of Madison, who have been tirelessly working on these issues around the clock. We continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to determine next steps. We will communicate with you as far in advance as possible regarding a return to on-campus learning and business after April 3. Thank you for your continued cooperation as we work together to maintain the health and well-being of our campus community.

Sincerely, MaryAnn Baenninger President

Dear campus community,

As our students and faculty return to campus after Spring Break, please note the following regarding prevention of illness and what to do should you feel ill.

We continue to follow the New Jersey Department of Health Guidance, which includes evaluation based on both clinical features and epidemiological risks.

• Clinical features include symptoms consistent with a respiratory illness such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
• Epidemiological risks include close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient or a history of travel from an affected area within 14 days of the onset of personal symptoms.

Students who meet the criteria above should call Health Services at 973-408-3414 for phone triage. Employees should contact their personal physicians prior to coming to campus.

Common Cold and Seasonal Flu

As the common cold and seasonal flu are still present and active, and seasonal allergies will begin in earnest, it is important to know that these conditions are much more common than the COVID-19 virus. If an ill student or employee does not meet current risk criteria (above) for COVID-19, then they should be treated as we do for any other illness event.

If you have a fever, please stay home and/or out of class. Please avoid contact with others until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. You do not need to stay out of class/work for two weeks—the14-day quarantine period pertains only to those potentially at risk for COVID-19 as listed above, or those who are returning from a CDC Warning Level 3 or Alert Level 2 country, or those living within a household with someone who is under self-quarantine.. Remember, the 14-day quarantine period was established according to the observed incubation pattern of the coronavirus, which is considered to be between two and 14 days from time of exposure to appearance of symptoms. The incubation period for the flu is much shorter, usually between one and four days.

Drew will continue to manage students who present with cold and flu symptoms as we always do, stressing the importance of infection control measures (good handwashing, covering coughs, social distancing, and fever restrictions as above). Students who have a routine illness do not need to come to the health service for clearance to return to class, but they must follow the guidelines above.

Thank you for your continued cooperation. This and all previous communications to the campus community, as well as FAQ, travel guidelines, and additional resources, may be found at drew.edu/coronavirus.   Sincerely, Frank Merckx, D.M.H. Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs Dean of Students

Dear Drew community and families,

The health and safety of our students and school community are always our highest priorities. As Spring Break comes to an end, please know that we have been closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation related to 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or COVID-19) and will continue to update you throughout the semester as new information unfolds. We have developed a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website to share important information, which also contains all of our campus announcements to date.

We encourage you to check the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website and your Drew University email account to ensure you are current with the latest information as it relates to Drew. Additionally, you should continually monitor ongoing guidance from the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Today, New Jersey announced its first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Bergen County, illustrating the rapidly evolving conditions around this virus. Drew University continues to work with our industry and government partners on the federal, state and local levels to stay current with the latest best practices and recommendations. In accordance with the New Jersey Department of Health guidance, University leaders have been engaged in extensive contingency planning efforts throughout the last several weeks to ensure business and educational continuity. Our leadership team has

• Reviewed and updated our outbreak response/pandemic plan
• Prepared to offer distance learning to students who may be impacted by quarantine and/or travel restrictions
• Updated attendance and sick leave policies for appropriate flexibility
• Strengthened our long-held relationships with local public health officials
• Reviewed our emergency communication plan (If you have not signed up for emergency notifications, you can do so here.)
• Planned workshops and trainings to educate staff and faculty on prevention measures and the science of COVID-19
• Proactively cancelled Drew-sponsored shortTREC and some other travel

If you are returning from Spring Break and have not yet done so, please complete the Drew travel registry. In collaboration with the Madison Health Department, Drew requires a 14-day off-campus quarantine and self-monitoring of symptoms for those returning from an area where a CDC Level 3 travel alert has been issued.

Drew University continues to follow its practices and guidelines for cleaning during flu season. Students and employees may choose to purchase sanitizing wipes to use in their personal areas. As always, please be mindful of the following best practices to help impede the spread of respiratory viruses, as recommended by the CDC:

• Get your flu shot.

• Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.

• Likewise, if you are sick, limit your contact with others to avoid spreading illness. This means staying out of work, class, and avoiding public places such as the gym and dining hall. Stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

• Cover your coughs. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or crook of your arm when you cough or sneeze (not your hands). Toss the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Practice other good health habits such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, drinking plenty of fluids, getting enough rest and sleep, and eating nutritious foods.

We will continue to update you through Drew’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website and via your Drew University email account. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at stuaff@drew.edu.

Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation as we work together to ensure the health and safety of our community.

Sincerely, Frank Merckx, D.M.H. Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs
Dean of Students

Dear Drew community,

Drew University’s International Travel Oversight Committee made the decision today to cancel our spring break shortTRECs to France and Switzerland. This decision was made after careful analysis of the rapidly evolving health situation in Europe, and after consultation with education abroad professionals in the region.

The reason for the cancellation has to do with the uncertainty posed by the quickly changing circumstances related to the spread of COVID-19, known as the coronavirus. Only one week ago, there were very few cases in Italy. The pattern there now seems to be mirroring that of China, with significant spread, impact, disruption, and travel restrictions. Given the rapidly changing situation in Europe and the overall risk associated with international travel at this time—coupled with the uncertainty of what is to come in the weeks ahead—Drew and the Center for Global Education are not confident that we can provide the quality academic and cultural experience that we want for our students studying on a shortTREC, as well as assure our students’ and faculty leaders’ health and safety.

The ShortTREC trip to Belize remains as planned, as no infections or warnings have been identified in Central America.

Because the risk of the virus outbreak is still not fully understood, we strongly recommend you do not travel abroad to countries where cases have been reported (you can find a list of those at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website). If you pursue personal international, non-Drew trip over Spring Break, we request that you complete the Drew travel registry and also register with the U.S. Department of State through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. You should continually monitor ongoing guidance from the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please note that those traveling internationally may experience disruption to their travel plans within countries, resulting in the alteration of their plans for re-entry to the United States due to U.S. or other nations’ quarantine decisions. If traveling to an impacted area, you may need to self-isolate and/or be quarantined for at least 14 days.

If you are now in need of housing within your Residence Hall for Spring Break, you should complete the Break Housing Form found in your housing portal or email reslife@drew.edu.

We anticipate sending additional guidance next week as we prepare to fully re-open the Drew campus post–Spring Break.

Sincerely,

Debra Liebowitz, Ph.D.
Provost
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Caspersen School of Graduate Studies

Frank Merckx, D.M.H. Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs
Dean of Students

Dear Drew community,
Drew University continues to monitor the impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or COVID-19). As we approach Spring Break, we wanted to share information and resources that could inform your travel plans.

• Residential students who have changed travel plans resulting in a need to reside on campus during Spring Break should complete the Break Housing Form found in your housing portal or email reslife@drew.edu. (Academic English and Pathway students do not need to complete this step, as it’s already been taken care of for you as a courtesy.)
• The U.S. Department of State has listed China as “Do Not Travel.” All students and employees should refrain from traveling to China. Those who ignore this warning may not be allowed to enter back into the United States if they are not U.S. citizens, and U.S. citizens will have to self-isolate after their return.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently changed their guidance on travel to South Korea, advising that you avoid all non-essential travel.
• If you are planning to travel internationally for personal, non-Drew trips over Spring Break, we request that you complete the Drew travel registry and also register with the U.S. Department of State through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. You should continually monitor ongoing guidance from the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• The University is monitoring conditions in countries where our shortTREC Programs are scheduled for Spring Break. Decisions about these trips will be communicated directly to those who are participating as quickly as they are made. The International Travel Oversight Committee is currently reviewing all travel and will reconvene on Thursday, February 27, 2020 for any additional decisions.
• If you wish to monitor yourself after a trip abroad, you can use this form to track any symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidance on Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 on February 25, 2020.
• If you would like to advise the university of a student who may need support, you can complete the Student of Concern form to alert appropriate staff.

General Information
As mentioned in the communication on February 4, 2020, students and employees should use similar precautions as with the seasonal flu. As a reminder, the CDC always recommends the following everyday preventive actions to help impede the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Get your flu shot.
• Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Likewise, if you are sick, limit your contact with others to avoid spreading illness. This means staying out of work, class, and avoiding public places such as the gym and dining hall. Stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• Cover your coughs. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or crook of your arm when you cough or sneeze (not your hands). Toss the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Practice other good health habits such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, drinking plenty of fluids, getting enough rest and sleep, and eating nutritious foods.

Please be safe and enjoy your Spring Break.

Thank you, Frank Merckx, D.M.H. Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs
Dean of Students

Dear Drew community,

Your health and well-being are our first priority. Acknowledging you may have questions or concerns resulting from recent news media coverage of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019‐nCoV), I write to share the latest information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). The CDC considers the immediate health risk to the general U.S. public low at this time, and according to the NJDOH, there are no cases of 2019-nCoV in New Jersey. For more specific information, please see “2019 Novel Coronavirus Update” below.

It’s important to note that at this time, the seasonal flu is the primary public health concern in New Jersey. The best way to prevent infection of viruses like seasonal flu is to avoid exposure. The CDC always recommends the following everyday preventive actions to help impede the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Get your flu shot. The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated, and the CDC recommends that all persons aged 6 months and older get a flu shot each year. It’s not too late! Health Service has a limited supply of flu vaccine available; call 973-408-3414 to schedule your appointment.
• Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Likewise, if you are sick, limit your contact with others to avoid spreading illness. This means staying out of work, class, and avoiding public places such as the gym and dining hall. Stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• Cover your coughs. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or crook of your arm when you cough or sneeze (not your hands). Toss the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Practice other good health habits such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, drinking plenty of fluids, getting enough rest and sleep, and eating nutritious foods.

2019 Novel Coronavirus Update

Since early January 2020, we have been monitoring the 2019-nCoV (commonly referred as novel coronavirus) and abiding by the guidance of the CDC and NJDOH. Prior communication can be found here.

While the CDC and NJDOH consider the risk to the general U.S. public low, on February 2, 2020, additional guidance was announced by the NJDOH. In addition to using the best practices mentioned above, we ask the following of you:

• Keeping the current situation in mind, evaluate and accordingly change any travel plans you may have for Spring Break to impacted countries.
• If you were in China between January 18, 2020 and February 2, 2020, please complete this form and inform Health Services (973-408-3414 or health@drew.edu) if you have traveled back to the United States from China in the last 14 days (as our semester began early this year, 22 days ago on January 13, we believe all employees and students returned to  the United States and have been living symptom free for well beyond this 14-day period).
• Please note:
  • There is no need for the university to cancel or alter events at this time. There are no cases of 2019‐nCoV in New Jersey, and there are no restrictions on public gatherings.
  • All university-sanctioned travel is reviewed and routinely monitored. At this time, no trips are scheduled to or around any areas impacted by 2019-nCoV.
  • Health Services and University administration remain in constant contact with local and state authorities to ensure the most up-to-date practices are in place and communicated to the University community.
  • If you would like a copy of I-94 form for travel documenting your arrival into the U.S., please contact any of the staff in International Student and Scholar Services.

It is common to feel anxious during any public health crisis, and we need to show care for each other. Likewise, we should refrain from making assumptions about others’ perceived symptoms or any characteristics of identity. The compassion and empathy you display for each other makes a difference.

If you have any concerns or questions about your health, contact the Health Services or your healthcare provider.

Thank you, Frank Merckx, D.M.H. Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs
Dean of Students

The CDC is closely monitoring an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and continues to expand. A number of countries, including the United States, have been actively screening incoming travelers from Wuhan. Infections with 2019-nCoV have been confirmed in Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. The first case in the United States was identified on January 21, 2020, in a traveler returning to Washington State from Wuhan. While the CDC considers this a serious public health concern, the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to those residing in the United States is considered low at this time. Nonetheless, the CDC is taking proactive preparedness precautions.

Symptoms of 2019-nCoV include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. At this time, the CDC believes that symptoms may appear within two to 14 days after exposure. If you develop any of the above mentioned signs and symptoms, you should seek medical help right away.

The Drew University Health Service is continuing to monitor the situation as it evolves. Precautionary measures such as posting signage in our waiting room with surveillance criteria have been implemented. We will work with our International Office as well as local and state Departments of Health on an as needed basis. For more information on the coronavirus, click here.