August 5, 2020

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

It is our sincere plan and hope that we will be able to safely return to in-person living and learning for the spring 2021 semester. Our reality-driven all virtual model for the fall semester 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.

Absolutely! Dedicated and engaged faculty members have been working diligently since May to prepare for any eventuality with regard to course delivery and mentoring activities this fall. 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. In some cases, this means that we can even expand the opportunities that are available to students by allowing for more connections with professionals and other mentors and experts who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to connect with Drew students.

All academic support services offered through the Center for Academic Excellence (subject tutoring, writing support, academic coaching) will be available through remote access. Details and instructions for making appointments can be found at drew.mywconline.com. Please direct any questions to cae@drew.edu.

Tutoring for Theological School and Caspersen School ESOL students also continues online. Please direct questions to Prof. Katherine Brown, kgbrown@drew.edu.

Students who are registered with the Office of Accessibility Resources will continue to have access to approved accommodations. Please direct any questions to Dana Giroux, dgiroux@drew.edu.

Fall 2020 Career Center Services

Career Center Open House (August 26, 12pm – 3pm) https://drew.zoom.us/j/9967868375

Get to Meet the Staff and learn about all the Career Center resources available for students

• Who we are – Our mission
• Resources and tools
• Information on campus employment, internships, career resources
• How to connect with staff

Virtual Drop-In Advising (12pm – 1pm, Monday-Thursday as of Monday August 31) No appointment necessary: https://drew.zoom.us/j/750308382

Undergraduates and Graduate Students: 15-minute consultation ideal for résumé and cover letter reviews and quick questions about career exploration, internship & job search strategies.

Scheduled Virtual Appointments (9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday as of Monday Monday August 31)

Undergraduates and Graduate Students: 30-minute appointments on the following topics:

• Exploring careers (including finding your Purpose and Strategy, navigating Launch, taking advantage of Launch’s Career Interest Communities, transferable skill development, Immersive Experiences, Majors, etc.).
• Job, internship, and micro-internship search strategies (including résumé, cover letter, interviewing, networking, LinkedIn, DrewConnect, conducting an effective search).
• Applying to graduate and professional school.
• Campus student employment and on-campus internships.
• Peer Résumé Review
• Scheduling Your Appointment:

1. Go to http://drew.joinhandshake.com and login with your University login credentials
2. From the menu at the top of the page, click on “Career Center”
3. Under the section called, “What can we help you find?” click on “Appointments”
4. Click on the blue, “Schedule A New Appointment” button (top left of the page)
5. Determine which category of appointment you’d like to schedule.
6. Click on the Appointment Type that best fits your needs.
7. Follow the scheduling prompts to set a time for your appointment.
8. Complete a short survey about how we can assist and then click the “Request” button

 

Virtual Career Prep Labs (4:00pm – 4:30pm, Tuesdays – Thursdays) https://drew.zoom.us/j/382120186

Undergraduates and Graduate Students: 30-minute focused presentation with Q & A. Students leave with resources available to them along with basic knowledge on the content of the session.

Date	Topic
September 2 & September 24	Launch Communities Panel Series (see schedule below): how to prepare and what you need to know One of the Drew Universities greatest strengths is its extensive network!  Career Panels give students perspectives on trends, challenges and opportunities in specific career interest communities. Panel events provide students with the opportunity to meet Drew mentors and gain first-hand information and practical advice on various careers paths. If you plan to attend an upcoming panel, we recommend that you meet with us and learn how best to prepare for this type of event.
September 3 & September 29	Ready Set Go! Now is the time to prepare for a different type of recruiting season; take some time to update your resume, Handshake and LinkedIn profiles. Get guidance on building a strategy for your job search – Senior’s ONLY
September 8 & October 15	Networking 101: How to building your pipeline Networking is an ongoing process.   This is why it is important to begin networking early and continue relationships as you move through your Drew career and beyond. It can and will take time to build a relationship with someone that is based on genuine interest and authenticity.
September 10 & October 1	Job and Internship search basics Don’t rely on “Click Here to Apply” as your primary method of finding a position! In this workshop you will develop a strategy using other resources to help you find an internship or position How to get started-Utilizing handshake, other technology tools
September 15	Thinking Grad school: everything you need to know Planning to apply to graduate school soon? Attend this workshop for insight into successfully navigating the application process: selecting the right schools, submitting strong documents, and rocking the personal statement
September 17 & October 6	Ranger Resumes Stand out Learn the in’s and out’s of résumé developments. Focus is on the résumé development of entry level career job seekers.
September 22 & October 27	Transferable Skills: What are they and how to market yours: Transferable skills are talents and abilities that can be used in many different jobs and career paths. They can be acquired through employment, campus engagement, academic experiences , internships, volunteer experiences, and hobbies.  Learn more about transferable skills and how to put them to work for you
October 8 & October 29	Advanced Resume & Cover letter – Decoding the job posting – Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems and how ATS affects your job search. With over 95% of large companies and 50% of mid-size using to read résumés students need to know how to work this technology
October 13 & November 3	LinkedIN-building a STRONG profile Not sure where to start with a LinkedIn account? Maybe you’ve had one, but it’s not very robust. This interactive workshop will offer tips and information on how to create and refine your LinkedIn account to reflect the most professional and experienced version of YOU.
October 20 & November 5	Interview Prep: The Basics This workshop focuses on interview preparation. Students will be taken through the steps necessary to have a successful interview. The workshop will focus on preparing for the interview, learning how to respond to different types of interview questions, and the appropriate follow-up process after an interview has taken place.
October 22 & November 10	Cover letters and Thank you notes made simple- According to the National association of Workplace development 86% of companies surveyed said cover letters are important when evaluating job candidates . Learn how to quickly compose an eye catching cover letter, as well as crucial strategies to use when writing a thank you note.

Fall 2020 Launch Programs

The Launch Communities Fair, the Immersive Experiences Fair, and all Launch Community Panels and its participation links will be advertised broadly in Launchpad, DrewToday, and other Drew media.

Date	Time	Event	Community Page
9/3	7PM	Panel Series “Arts, Communications, and Languages”	AC&L
9/10	7PM	Panel Series “Business, Finance, & Entrepreneurship”	BF&E
9/15	7PM	Panel Series “International Opportunities”	IO
9/17	7PM	Panel Series “Commuter, Transfer, Non-Traditional”	CTNT
9/24	7PM	Panel Series “Pre-Law”	Pre-Law
9/25	TBD	Immersive Experience Fair
10/1	7PM	Panel Series “Science, Technology, Engineering, & Sustainability”	STES
10/8	7PM	Panel Series “K12 Education”	K12
10/15	7PM	Panel Series “Gender & Sexuality”	G&S
10/20	7PM	Panel Series “Medical & Health Professions”	M&HP
10/2	7PM	Panel Series “Visible/Invisible Disabilities	V&ID
10/23	TBD	Launch Communities Fair
10/29	7PM	Panel Series “Religion, Theology &  Ministry	RT&M
11/5	7PM	Panel Series “Limited Resources”	LR
11/10	7PM	Panel Series “First Generation”	1stG
11/12	7PM	Panel Series “Ethnic/Racial Heritage	E&RH
11/19	7PM	Panel Series “International Student”	IS
12/3	7PM	Panel Series “Social Impact”	SI
12/8	7PM	Panel Series “Exploratory”	EXPL
12/10	7PM	Panel Series “Faith, Religion & Spirituality”	FR&S

Center for Global Education – Virtual Fall Programming

Center for Global Education Open House (September 5, 3:00pm to 5:00pm)

We will TREC again! We’re confident travel, across the Hudson or around the world, will resume. In the meantime, prepare to rethink assumptions from a new vantage point. Or explore your chosen field—or an entirely different one—in a new context. Connect with other industries and cultures, and to where you want to go from here. When the world is ready for you, you’ll want to be ready to TREC. 

• Meet Center for Global Education staff
• Learn about Drew’s nycTRECs, shortTRECs, and longTRECs
• Plan for your own TREC

Virtual Drop-In Hours (3pm – 4pm, Monday-Thursday as of Monday August 31)

Get answers to quick questions about your TREC application, application deadlines, study abroad opportunities, NY Semesters and all things TREC. 

Scheduled Virtual Appointments

(9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday as of Monday August 31)

30-minute appointments

• Learn about Drew’s TRECs and which one (or two, or three!) is right for you
• Discover where your TREC fits in your overall academic plan
• Develop a timeline for your TREC goals
• Review applications processes and eligibility requirements
• Discuss program costs and financial aid

Putting Study Abroad to Work – Virtual Workshop

Wednesday, September 30, 5 pm – 6 pm via Zoom

Have you studied abroad? Join us to network with fellow travelers and learn how your TREC experience can help you prepare for graduate school, internships and jobs after graduation.

Yes, please complete a new housing application and agreement so we may understand your situation.

Yes, please complete a new housing application and agreement so we may understand your situation.

We believe the safest way to ensure the health of our students is by de-densifying our residence halls and allowing only a limited number of students, who need to be on campus for specific reasons, to live on campus. Also, many students are self-selecting to stay in an environment that they view to be better for them and their families.

Please complete the Mail Forwarding Information Card.

Yes, textbooks and other bookstore items can be shipped to your home. There is a flat shipping fee within the U.S. Rental textbooks can only be shipped within the United States. Online orders will be shipped to the address provided. If you have ordered books to be shipped to your Drew address, please contact the bookstore at 973-408-3097 to have your order re-addressed to ship to your home address.

Many textbooks are available as e-books and faculty are also working to identify other electronic resources to support remote learning.

Students who apply for and are granted an exception to live on campus during the fall 2020 semester will be required to quarantine for 14 days off campus if they are traveling to campus from current COVID-19 “impacted states” per the State of NJ’s travel advisory list or from impacted international locations.

We have reverted to the original fall 2020 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.

Counseling Services and the Center for Academic Excellence offer online support.

The Bookstore will follow all state-mandated guidelines for retail establishments (regular disinfection, face coverings, etc.). The capacity in the store will be limited to 14 occupants. All returns will be quarantined prior to their return to the sales floor. Students will be able to “curbside pickup” their items at the entrance to the store to avoid having to enter the store.

Behavioral signage will be posted around campus with guidelines on the use of face-coverings, physical distancing, and other safety protocols. Please visit the Communications Toolkit for the full list of signs. If you need additional signage in your area, a blank template and digital versions of each sign are available for your custom signage needs.

CLA seniors and juniors and Graduate and Theological  residential students are allowed to bring a car to campus. As is policy, you will need to apply for a parking permit.

Resources are available at this website.

Yes, most students will be living off campus and taking remote classes for the fall 2020 semester.

Yes, if you are in the U.S. after graduating from a U.S. high school, community college or other program and starting Drew this fall, you can stay in the U.S. and study online.

Students who are in the U.S. with a current F-1 visa are able to begin their coursework for fall in the online format as long as they enroll full-time. Students are able to live in Madison or at another location in the U.S. International students will be able to live in campus housing throughout the semester. Students will need to follow immigration check-in policies to ensure their status.

If you are currently outside of the U.S., and have not previously received an F-1 visa, unfortunately, you will not be able to enter the U.S. at this time. SEVP guidance does not permit students to enter the U.S. if their classes are completely online. New students will be able to begin their studies online from their home country. Then, when it is safe to join us on campus, we will be ready to help you make the transition to join us in person.

It is our sincere plan and hope that we will be able to safely return to in-person living and learning for the spring 2021 semester. Our reality-driven all virtual model for the fall semester 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.

Throughout this summer our new students have been actively engaged in meeting our faculty, staff. student leaders and fellow new students. This robust programming will continue throughout orientation and the semester.

New first year and transfer students can expect one-on-one advising appointments with their Drew faculty advisor. For first year students, your DSEM instructor is your academic advisor, and community building is central to the design of these seminars. You will get to know your faculty advisor as well as your peers in this course.

Students occasionally have an interruption in their academic progress during their collegiate career. If this happens, students usually take summer courses, or perhaps an additional course during other academic semesters, as a way to “catch up” and then remain on pace. You should always work with your academic advisor to ensure that you are progressing at the best and appropriate pace for you.

Absolutely! Dedicated and engaged faculty members have been working diligently since May to prepare for any eventuality with regard to course delivery and mentoring activities this fall. 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. In some cases, this means that we can even expand the opportunities that are available to students by allowing for more connections with professionals and other mentors and experts who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to connect with Drew students.

All theatre courses and productions will be virtual during the fall semester. The theatre and dance faculty have been diligently working to maximize the online learning experience by emphasizing the hallmarks of their theatre program: active and engaged learning, small group learning, creative projects, collaboration, movement, ritual, and play. Moreover, they are connecting with others around the world and are excited that online learning will allow Drew students to collaborate with colleagues and students from the professional world. We look forward to working with Tectonic Theater Project, the NJ Play Lab, Yendor Theater, and others that the online platform affords us. 

Bringing these practices to Drew not only affords us the opportunity to innovate and creatively problem-solve but will also train our students to be prepared for what lies ahead in their careers. Surely the merging of technology and the performing arts is here to stay, and we want to ensure that our graduates are adept and ready, perhaps even ahead of the curve! We are exploring with our student directors on how to creatively produce the shows in our season, including the NY Semester, for which students will still receive training from the renowned Tectonic Theater Project and will be devising an original play.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. The CARES Act established the Higher Education Relief Fund that sends money to schools to use as emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Learn more about the CARES Act.

Yes, please complete a new housing application and agreement so we may understand your situation.

We believe the safest way to ensure the health of our students is by de-densifying our residence halls and allowing only a limited number of students, who need to be on campus for specific reasons, to live on campus. Also, many students are self-selecting to stay in an environment that they view to be better for them and their families.

The decision for fall courses to be virtual means that you will be completing your coursework from off-campus rather than on-campus. You will probably not need to purchase a parking permit for the fall semester.

All items stored with Main Street Movers will be returned to Drew mid-August. Students approved to live on campus will have items delivered to your fall housing assignment. Students who are no longer living on campus this fall who wish to arrange to pick-up your items on campus should email reslife@drew.edu to coordinate arrangements. Students are also permitted to leave items for pick up during the spring 2021 semester.

Students may opt to take a temporary leave from the university for any number of reasons – family emergency, financial distress, illness, etc. A student may leave for one or two semesters and return, or choose a different course of action. Students are advised to discuss their plans with their academic advisor, the associate provost, and their financial aid counselor (as there may be potential financial implications). To proceed, students must complete the leave-of-absence form, which is available through TreeHouse (Request a Leave of Absence or Voluntary Withdrawal).

Once a student is cleared to return to Drew, they can resume access to earned scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Students must submit a re-entry petition to the Academic Standing Committee to be cleared for return. Students are advised to submit the re-entry form in advance of the registration period of their semester of return (November for Spring return, April for fall return); students are required to submit at least one month before the term of re-entry.

Please complete a new housing application and agreement so we may understand your situation.

It is sometimes necessary to make a change to the course schedule immediately before the semester begins, but there are no additional planned changes to the course schedule at this point other than changing the status of all fall courses to an online format.

Students are able to make changes to their course schedules through the add/drop period. Undergraduate students should consult with their faculty advisor before making schedule changes.

Drew University’s travel policy uses the guidelines of the United States Department of State (DOS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for decisions about travel and study abroad programming. Drew considers any country with a DOS Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory “Reconsider Travel” or “Do Not Travel,” or a CDC Warning Level 3 “Avoid Nonessential Travel,” an elevated-risk destination. Drew-sponsored travel to those countries is prohibited unless approved by petition to the International Travel Oversight Committee.

Please contact the Center for Global Education at globaled@drew.edu with any questions.

All fall semester study abroad has been suspended. On May 20, Drew announced it would suspend its fall 2020 London Semester. This decision was made after careful analysis of the ongoing challenges related to international travel and the anticipation of continued self-quarantine and social distancing orders here and in the UK as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not confident that we would be able to provide the quality academic and cultural experience that we want for our students studying in London.

Likewise, the majority of our longTREC global partners have suspended fall operations. As of August 25, 2020, the majority of countries around the world are under a U.S. Department of State Level 3: Reconsider Travel Advisory which places all of Drew’s global partner programs on the restricted travel list, as described above. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State maintains a list of entry requirements and restrictions by country, many of which have restricted entry to travelers from the United States.

Please contact the Center for Global Education at globaled@drew.edu with any questions.

We cannot guarantee that spring study abroad will be possible, but we are hopeful. Drew’s policy regarding travel restrictions (described above) will apply for spring semester study abroad, but guidance from federal and local authorities, and restrictions on travel, change regularly. Travel that is restricted today may be possible months from now. It is impossible to predict when conditions may change, so we ask students to be flexible and have backup options even as they plan for a spring semester abroad. Drew will reassess travel later in the fall semester and advise students planning spring semester study abroad accordingly.

Applications for spring semester study abroad are due October 10. Given the uncertainty of travel and the need for flexibility for the spring, students are encouraged to contact the Center for Global Education as early as possible to begin planning.

Please contact the Center for Global Education at globaled@drew.edu with any questions.

We are approaching the 2021 shortTRECs with cautious optimism.

As of August 25, 2020, a majority of countries around the world are under a U.S. Department of State Level 3: Reconsider Travel Advisory which places all of Drew’s global partner programs on the restricted travel list, as described above. In addition, the Center for Disease Control’s Level 3: Avoid Nonessential Travel Warning is still in effect in many locations. It is impossible to predict when these and other, local travel restrictions may be lifted and the rapidly changing nature of the pandemic makes it very hard to predict when decisions would be made. Additionally, programs have different start dates, which factor into the decision-making process. Each program will be treated on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the safety of the program location and the particular needs of individual programs. If you have questions or concerns, please contact globaled@drew.edu.

Ongoing challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will mean the fall New York Semesters (United Nations, Contemporary Art, Communications and Media, and New York Theatre) must run differently than they have in the past. We will not be able to bring students to New York. Our classrooms in the city may not be available to us. Visits are likely to be restricted or, in some cases, impossible. Access to public transportation may be limited and/or pose unnecessary health risks. Different, however, does not mean inferior. All New York Semesters are being conducted through virtual instruction. In the absence of regular trips to the city, program directors will endeavor to bring the city to the students via virtual visits to our regular program partners and meeting with industry professionals via live streaming.

The Center for Global Education will accept student applications for the spring nycTRECs (Wall Street, Social Entrepreneurship, and Museum and Cultural Management) during the fall semester. Applications are due October 10. We will assess the need for modifications to these spring programs later in the fall.

Regardless of changes to the method of instruction, all nycTRECs will continue to fulfill a student’s off-campus requirement.

Please contact the Center for Global Education at globaled@drew.edu with any questions.

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.

Yes, If you are in the U.S., you can stay where you are in the U.S. and study online with Drew.

Students who are in the U.S. with a current F-1 visa will be able to study 100% online and continue making progress towards their degrees. Students are able to live in Madison (on campus or off) or at another location in the U.S. as long as they are enrolled full-time and follow immigration check-in policies. All students who are on campus currently will be allowed to remain in housing if you choose.

Yes, If you are outside of the U.S., you may stay home to do your studies online. Students who are outside of the U.S. with a current F-1 visa will be able to enroll in online courses through Drew and maintain their status. To maintain their immigration status they will need to enroll full-time. The online courses will be delivered live. Once Drew determines it is safe to transition to face-to-face learning, we will help you and your students by providing the necessary documents to allow them to return to the U.S. and the Drew campus.

Yes, Mail Services will be open with standard hours (Pepin Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Commons Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.). All members of the Drew community will pick up their mail and packages from Mail Services.

The financial impact of our decision on students and their families is paramount. While the Drew Board of Trustees initially approved a tuition increase for the 2020-2021 school year, that decision has now been reversed, and there will be no tuition increase for this academic year. We made the decision to benefit the Drew community, 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.

Providing a quality educational experience is our commitment, which is why we have been recognized by many publications as one of the top values in the country. Several weeks ago, Fiske Guide to Colleges named Drew among the top 10 private schools in the country on their annual “Best Buy” list for the second straight year. Last year, Washington Monthly vaulted Drew into their top 100 “Best Bang for the Buck” schools in the country; Kiplinger’s named Drew among the nation’s top 100 “Best College Values”; and The Princeton Review named Drew to several esteemed lists, including the The Best 385 Schools and Best Value Colleges.

The tuition model for graduate education does not work in the same way as the tuition model for the College of Liberal Arts. Additionally, the change in the student experience necessitated by a move to completely virtual instruction does not affect the graduate student experience in the same way that it affects the undergraduate experience.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. The CARES Act established the Higher Education Relief Fund that sends money to schools to use as emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic (see below for more information).

Students who meet the basic eligibility for federal financial aid and who have the greatest financial need can be considered for these emergency funds. The Office of Financial Assistance will use your submitted application (link below) and your 2020–2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for funding. If you are eligible to file a FAFSA, but have not submitted for 2020–2021 yet, please do so at www.fafsa.gov prior to submitting your application for emergency funding under the CARES Act; if you need assistance filing your FAFSA, please contact the Office of Financial Assistance.

Unfortunately, international students, undocumented students, and non-matriculated students are not eligible for funding under the CARES Act. Students who are not eligible for federal financial aid should contact the Office of Financial Assistance.

In your application, please do not request assistance to directly pay for tuition, fees, room, and/or board charged by Drew University. CARES Act funds are not permitted by the federal government to be used for these costs and cannot be applied by the University to any outstanding balance on your student account. Any payments you make on your student account must be under a separate transaction. For questions about addressing an account balance, please contact the Student Accounts Office. Requests should focus on hardships and unanticipated expenses related to COVID-19. These hardships and expenses include, but are not limited to, those related to loss of employment, unexpected travel, technology needs, health care costs, additional child care costs, course materials, food, or moving.

We will review requests for relief as quickly as possible and will make awards to students as soon as we receive our funding from the Department of Education.  If you are approved for emergency funding, you will receive it as a direct deposit.  If you have not done so already, please update your direct deposit information using the refund tab in the Student Account Center, accessible through Treehouse.

For questions about the Cares Act and your eligibility for funding under this Act, please contact the Office of Financial Assistance at finaid@drew.edu.

Apply for emergency funding from the CARES Act for COVID-19 here.

CARES Act Disclosures and Reports.

To protect the health and safety of the Drew community, respond to institutional needs for student employment, and to fulfill Drew University’s obligation to deliver a Federal Work Study Program, student employment may look a little different during the Fall 2020 term.

• Remote and on-campus positions will be available.  Positions will be posted in Handshake.
• Student employment will be limited to those students who qualify for and have accepted their Federal Work Study award, as offered in their financial aid award, and international students residing on campus with demonstrated financial need.
• Exceptions may be made for students not fitting the above criteria who have a skill set required by the position yet not readily available in the population of students fitting the above criteria.
• Students do not need to live on campus to work on campus.  Students coming to campus to work will be 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.
• Student employees can work up to 10 hours a week.
• Student employees will be limited to one campus employment position.
• Information on the hiring process can be found here.

Student employees will have access to virtual professional development opportunities. These opportunities will be posted to the Launch events calendar as they become available.

Students must be enrolled full-time (12 credits) in order to receive Drew University Grants and Scholarships. They will still be eligible for 8 semesters (fall and spring) of their grants and scholarships. Scholarships will be offered at the full amount when the student resumes full-time enrollment. Need-based grants are evaluated annually based on the information provided on the FAFSA.

Updated semester invoices will be emailed on August 14. With that said we will be extending the due date to Friday, August 21.

1. Inquiries regarding Loans, Grants, Awards and Scholarships should be directed to
   Financial Aid at finaid@drew.edu
2. Inquiries regarding the update of Housing and Meal plans should be directed to
   Residence Life at reslife@drew.edu
3. Inquiries for all other questions regarding Tuition and Fees should be addressed to
   Student Accounts at studentaccounts@drew.edu

Course schedules have been built collaboratively with department chairs, program directors, convenors, and the Deans’ offices. The pivot to completely online instruction will not necessitate additional changes to the course schedules.

Any change to employment status or work designations will be communicated to the employee by email, or by telephone if the employee does not have email.

If you are furloughed and have health benefits through Drew (medical, dental, and/or vision), this coverage will end, and you will be COBRA eligible. You will receive information in the mail from Baker Tilly, Drew’s Benefits Administrator, about electing this coverage. Drew medical benefits will resume on the day you return to work at the conclusion of the furlough period.

If you are fully or partially furloughed from your position at Drew, you will be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

If you are fully or partially furloughed from your position at Drew, you will be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

If an employee is furloughed, they are eligible for unemployment benefits, but may not use leave. If a current employee is unable to work because they need to care for their child(dren) and/or a family member diagnosed with COVID-19, the employee can use leave benefits available through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

Employees will be notified if their designation as Virtual (V), Modified-Virtual (MV), or On-Site (OS) changes. If an employee is designated as MV or OS, but believes they should not be on campus, they may apply for an accommodation. If you are an employee who wishes to request an accommodation to work entirely virtually for age or health reasons, you may do so by voluntarily notifying the Office of Human Resources through the COVID-19 faculty/staff accommodation request form.

Drew is following federal health and safety guidelines as well as guidance from our state and local governments to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. Here are some of the practices we have implemented or will be implementing:

• Performance of a self-monitoring protocol prior to entry on campus.
• Common areas and frequently touched surfaces are being cleaned daily and cleaning wipes will be provided.
• Hand sanitizer will be provided in high-traffic campus buildings.
• Behavioral signage will be displayed with reminders on how to prevent the spread of germs.
• Workspace and seating arrangements will be revised to allow for physical distancing.
• Meeting rooms, break rooms, and other communal areas will have reduced seating and capacity limits.
• Every person on campus will be required to wear face coverings at all times, unless alone in a private office or if there is a health reason why wearing a mask is problematic.

The University remains committed to upholding community standards for health and safety, instructional quality, and interpersonal support for others, while flexibly balancing the community’s collective needs. We are individually and collectively responsible for supporting and achieving these standards.

Before returning to campus, you are required to quarantine for 14 days off campus if you have recently returned to NJ from current COVID-19 “impacted states” per the State of NJ’s travel advisory list or from impacted international locations.

If you are experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, or any type of medical emergency, call 911. Otherwise:

• If you have any symptoms of illness, do not come to campus. Notify your supervisor.
• If you develop any symptoms while at work, isolate yourself from others immediately. Contactyour supervisor and plan to return home.
• Follow up with your primary healthcare provider for medical advice.
• Follow procedures per your supervisor and Human Resources regarding return to work.”

If you are told you have (or may have) Covid-19:

• Follow any instructions given to you by your healthcare provider regarding treatment and isolation requirements.
• Cooperate with public health officials if you are contacted for contact-tracing purposes.
• Notify your supervisor and/or Human Resources about your illness per Drew policies.

Please notify HR at humres@drew.edu if you have tested positive for Covid-19.

All staff designations (Virtual, Modified-Virtual, or On-Site) receive their usual rate of pay.

The University also is committed to supporting employees who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. For those employees who are designated as on-site or modified-virtual and believe they may be at higher risk and are unable to work on campus, the University will make every effort to consider a flexible solution on an evolving basis. The general categories associated with higher risk include, but are not limited to, persons 65 or older and persons of all ages with underlying medical conditions. For a complete list, you may review the CDC guidelines. If you are an employee who wishes to identify as a person with a disability or medical condition, in order to request an accommodation, you may do so by voluntarily notifying the Office of Human Resources through the COVID-19 faculty/staff accommodation request form. As noted on the form, information related to accommodation requests is confidential and will not be placed in your employee record or shared with supervisors without your approval.

All members of the Drew community will pick up their mail and packages from Mail Services. Mail will not be delivered to individual offices. If assistance is needed with packages, please contact Kevin Healy at khealy@drew.edu.

Offices will be cleaned by individual employees using disinfecting wipes provided by the University. Individual offices will be cleaned monthly by Bravo. Office suites will have a communal trash area where all trash and recycling should be deposited for daily pick-up. Shared office bathrooms will be disinfected daily.

Ask your supervisor if you may purchase the supplies. Your supervisor will check the budget for available funds and then email Louise Hood, DVT-Personnel Chair at lhood@drew.edu for approval. Once approval is received, you may forward the approval and continue with the ordering process. Please remember that Drew has preferred vendors such as Staples and B&H.

Dial *67 before you dial the phone number. That will block your phone number from appearing on Caller ID.

Shared University vehicles and golf carts must be cleaned and disinfected after each use or regularly between shifts. When possible, employees will utilize the same vehicle throughout the working shift, and the vehicle will not contain more than one individual. In the event two individuals (at a maximum) need to share the vehicle, windows will be opened to increase ventilation, and face coverings must be worn.

Yes, student workers can be hired for virtual work and on-campus work for departments that will still be having a presence on campus. Priority for student employment must be with those students who have Federal Work Study or international students with financial need.

Yes, as long as you have work that students can complete remotely and you can monitor their hours.

For faculty please review this page for resources.
For staff please review this page for resources.

http://www.drew.edu/library/coronavirus-covid-19-library-services/