Student Guide

Returning to Campus

As students return to campus this fall, NJCU is prepared for a new normal. While none of us knows with certainty what lies ahead, we now have a flexible plan in place to guide our way back.

Safe Campuses

We know that some level of risk will persist and will continue to limit in-person activities and interactions, as well as require physical distancing and safety protocols (face coverings while in buildings or at outside gatherings are required on campus until further notice) through the coming academic year. If the level of risk rises significantly, the University is prepared to operate under heightened safety precautions, including shelter-in-place or campus closure orders.

Learn About Academics & Student Support

Housing and Dining Services

Students, faculty, and staff will have access to dining options. All options will be implemented using social distancing protocols. Dining will continue to be offered using the GET Mobile app for ordering and social distancing techniques for food distribution.

Housing is critical to the overall NJCU experience and will remain open following a sophisticated system of protocols.

Dining & Food Pantry Hours

GSUB 
Monday – Friday | 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday |10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
(Meal plans are accepted. No ID service)

Dunkin – Round Table
Monday – Thursday | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Closed Friday-Sunday

VODRA Cafeteria:
Closed until Further Notice

Gothic Knight Food Pantry:

The Gothic Knight Food Pantry will remain open while classes are online. There will be pre-made bags available for any student in need. You can find more information here.

Learn More About Housing & Dining

Student Life on Our Campuses

The Center for Leadership and Engagement will use the University’s Health and Safety and Re-Opening Taskforce report as a guideline for programming and Gilligan Student Union Building (GSUB) usage.

Gilligan Student Union Building

The Gilligan Student Union (GSUB) houses, student programming, meetings, external events, student development offices, and many other community-based programs. To maintain health and safety, the building will remain open, but with limited capacity and use. For usage, all rooms must be booked through the School Dude Events Scheduling system. Group interactions must be limited, and all meeting spaces must adhere to social distancing policies and regulations.

  • All meetings held in smaller conference rooms will be limited to a maximum of 10
  • Larger Conference Rooms (rooms, 129, 312, 317) will have to be subjected to adjusted room capacity.
  • Attendance in communal spaces (Prayer Room, Honors Lounge, etc.) will be subject to adjusted room capacity.
  • The Gaming Lounge and Pool Table Lounge will be closed until further notice. The E-Sports Lounge will remain open and limited to a maximum of 5 people while adhering to social distance guidelines and restrictions.
  • There will be no programming held on the outdoor patio space. Seating will be limited.
  • No External guests will be allowed to utilize the building for the first 90 days of the semester.

Student Leadership and Development

To the fullest extent possible, the Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management will provide involvement opportunities for enrolled students in a face-to-face, fully remote, or hybrid manner.

Staff members will develop and enforce attendance limits for in-person events using current guidelines, policies, procedures, and protocols.

The Center for Leadership & Engagement staff has a robust mechanism to implement RSVP and tracking procedures. If in-person events are not possible, staff members will live-stream events.

Staff members will be trained to maintain standard cleaning practices to limit health-related risks as much as possible. Staff members will clean designated areas multiple times daily, with special attention given to high-traffic areas. Disinfecting wipes and hand-sanitizing stations will be available throughout event spaces.

Student Government Association Clubs and Recreation

Student clubs and organizations provide essential peer-to-peer interactions, associations, and leadership development for students. The annual Club Day event will be held virtually. Club meetings will be held virtually. There will limited opportunities for on-campus meetings, and those shall adhere to social distance and capacity regulations. The Student Government Association will continue to meet bi-weekly through a virtual platform. The Center for Leadership Engagement team will guide in assisting all organizations in facilitating virtual programs.

Greek Life

NJCU’s officially recognized fraternities and sororities contribute many positive aspects to the NJCU educational experience and community. The governing body, the Inter-Greek Council, will continue to meet virtually. Opportunities for virtual programming and recruitment will be made available. All new member processes will be suspended for the Fall academic semester

Leadership Programming

Student Leadership is a key component to the overall success of our NJCU community. The NJCU Leadership Honor Society will be introduced and conducted on a virtual platform. Any in-person events will be live streamed.

As conditions and guidelines allow, opportunities for in-person meetings will be made available to student clubs and organizations while using appropriate social distancing guidelines as necessary.

Community Engagement

Community Engagement provides critical elements of an experiential learning process. Our community engagement team will be offering virtual volunteerism programs. Our work with the NJ Campus Compact Changebuilders will continue to provide students with an opportunity to volunteer, gain leadership skills, and impact the community.

International Students

The Office of Global Initiatives will reopen using a phased approach. 

Learn More About the Phased Approach for International Students

Athletics

Over the past five months we have taken considerable steps to ensure that when you arrive back on campus our attention to your health and safety will be evident throughout our athletic facilities. A critical first step in the process is the formulation of this NJCU Athletics Re-opening guidebook. This guidebook will provide essential information on cleaning protocols, enhanced procedures, and social distancing practices that will require full compliance from our staff, faculty students, partners, members, and guest. All patrons will be asked to observe signs and follow floor decals located throughout the facility to ensure the flow and safety of all is considered. You will notice increased spacing between equipment and within our fitness center and sports medicine department. Listed below are critical updates to the flow:

  • Entrance to the facility will remain the same and located at the front of the building with no touch entrance into the lobby.
  • We will have a separate exit lane that all patrons will be required to follow prior to entering the facility.
  • All patrons will be required to practice excellent personal hygiene and wipe down equipment regularly before and after each use.
  • Gym wipe stations are plentiful throughout the fitness floors, and hand sanitizer stations are wall mounted in several areas.
  • Staff members are undergoing extensive training to comply with COVID-19 policies procedures.
  • Staff will be constantly monitoring and cleaning machines, equipment, and touch points.
  • Facility hours have been reduced with an hour closure/break for deep cleaning.
  • Patrons are asked to minimize the number of belongings they bring into the facility.

Patrons will be REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE COVERING and follow the safety policies and procedures posted by the entrance. Failure to follow policies will result in being asked to leave the premises.

PATRONS MUST:

  • Always maintain 6 feet of social distance
  • Wash hands regularly
  • Cover face with face covering
  • Stay home when sick
  • Get tested immediately when sick

Campus Recreation

Physical well-being is important too. As conditions allow, opportunities for in-person recreational activities will be made available to students. Staff will implement appropriate cleaning and disinfecting protocol, including:

  • Scheduled cleaning and disinfecting of equipment throughout each day
  • The availability and posted policies on the use of proper cleaning and disinfecting materials (such as wipes).

In the meantime, University personnel will offer virtual opportunities for recreation. Examples include yoga sessions, video game sports leagues, and fitness sessions.

The profound changes of the past three months have given us the opportunity for a renewed appreciation of what it means to be part of the NJCU community. While we eagerly anticipate recovering from the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that NJCU’s resilience and creativity remain some of our greatest strengths. Students can count on an NJCU community committed to a vibrant experience as well as to health and safety.

 

More COVID-19 Resources for Students