To prepare for possible community transmission of COVID-19, Drew is implementing the following actions based on guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health for colleges and universities:

• Review and update or develop our outbreak response/pandemic plan and share with stakeholders before an outbreak occurs.
• Prepare to offer distance learning to students.
• Implement flexible attendance and sick leave policies.
• Establish relationships with local public health officials and identify points of contact.
• Create emergency communication plan and maintain up to date contact information for everyone in our communication chain.
• Establish leadership team, identify essential staff functions, assign tasks and responsibilities.
• Plan workshops and trainings to educate staff on prevention measures.
• Continue to monitor current information from health officials.

Additionally, beginning Monday, March 16, Drew moved 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. Read more.

In accordance with New Jersey Department of Health guidance:

• COVID-19 presents with signs and symptoms that may be indistinguishable from much more common respiratory viruses. If a community (or more specifically, a school) has cases of COVID-19, local health officials will help identify those individuals and will follow up on next steps.
• Students and employees should not attend class/work when ill, regardless of the cause.
• We do not recommend that students be required to obtain a doctor’s note in order to be excused from class – this may dissuade those who are ill from staying out of class and crowd doctors’ offices with patients who do not need to be seen.

Faculty who are unable to attend Caspersen or Theological School course meetings should contact tsacademicdean@drew.edu. Faculty who are unable to attend College courses should email cladean@drew.edu.

CDC has issued travel advisories for several countries. Details can be found here. In collaboration with the Madison Health Department, Drew requires a 14-day off-campus quarantine and self-monitoring of symptoms for those returning from a country where a CDC Level 3 travel alert has been issued.

Travelers who have been quarantined for 14 days and have remained asymptomatic may return to school after being cleared. The Drew Self Monitoring Form should be utilized to monitor any symptoms that may occur. After you complete the 14-day self-quarantine and self-monitoring, you are required to upload the form to your health portal via Treehouse and contact Drew University’s Health Services Director, Joan Galbraith, at 973-408-3414, who will review the form and your current condition and provide you with next steps for clearance. Please note that you will only be cleared to return to campus after this review is finalized.

While Drew provides hand sanitizer in many common locations, students and employees may wish to bring their own for personal use. The CDC recommends that the sanitizer contain at least 60% alcohol content.

Drew 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. The University will continue to maintain sanitizing stations in common areas and to ensure all restrooms have adequate supplies of hand soap.

Seminary Hall’s Craig Chapel is open for reflection and contemplation. No services will take place during DVT.

If you feel as if you have been discriminated against based upon your race, ethnicity or other protected class, please report the incident. Students can submit an incident report using this form, and employees should contact Human Resources at 973-408-3223. Additionally, the CDC offers guidance on stigma and resilience, available here.

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. These decisions do not rest with 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.  Your patience in what is an uncertain and frustrating time is sincerely appreciated. Drew commits to keep our community updated regularly on the progress of this planning, and 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.

All NCAA Landmark Conference and non-conference play is suspended for the spring semester.

No.

On Sunday, March 1, 2020, Drew University hosted a fencing tournament in which Yeshiva University participated. It was announced on March 4, 2020 that a student from Yeshiva was diagnosed with COVID-19. That student is connected to the outbreak in Westchester, NY, as his father and other family members have also been diagnosed with the illness.

The Yeshiva student who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 was not on Drew’s campus, nor are they a member of the Yeshiva Fencing team. While Yeshiva University has cancelled classes, there is good news from their campus, according to a campus-wide email from Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva: “Two tests of students who were considered at risk due to proximity, including a roommate, came back negative.

CDC guidance on transmissionindicates that close contact is key in transmission. Close contact is defined as:

• being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time;
• close contact while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case; or
• having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on).

The New York Department of Health has allowed the Yeshiva teams to travel to other locations, as the community transmission was based out of the Westchester connection and not Yeshiva University. Because of these factors, there is no reason to believe there is any impact to our Drew campus or our student-athletes.

We encourage all of our campus members to review the CDC guidance on stigma and resilience.

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. EST 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

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

Dear Drew Community Members:

As always—and especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic—the health and safety of our community is Drew’s primary concern and is at the forefront of our decision-making. As such, this communication is an update regarding a new development relating to COVID-19.

This notification to the community is issued to comply with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and Drew University’s policies for compliance with that act.

Today we were notified that an on-campus employee received a positive COVID-19 test result this morning. That employee had not been on campus since the evening of Monday, March 30, 2020. Drew followed our emergency response plan and worked in accordance with the Borough of Madison Health Department, which included guidance for any potentially affected employees. Proper sterilization of that employee’s workspace, as well as common spaces within the building, has been ongoing following state guidance and university protocol.

To maintain compliance with other federal and state laws, we will not release any additional information about this employee.

As of April 3, 2020, the State of New Jersey reported that there are 29,8950 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey, including 32 cases, and one death from COVID-19, in Madison.

Drew University 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.

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

Dear students,

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

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

Dear Drew students and families,

After much reflection and consultation—and in light of the escalating situation involving COVID-19—Drew will not resume regular business operations at least through the remainder of the semester. Drew Virtual Time (DVT) with its associated virtual learning environment will continue at least through the first part of June (instead of April 3 as we had previously anticipated), and we are moving into a different phase with residential life. Students will now be required to seek an exemption to remain on campus. The health and safety of our community demands that we take these actions.

Last week, I wrote to you about our adoption of the practice of social distancing and the plan on which we were executing to transition to DVT, which successfully began yesterday. Since that time, the World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic, and the U.S. government declared a national emergency. The CDC now advises against gatherings of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks, while NJ Governor Murphy implemented aggressive social distancing measures, including the closure of all schools. (Drew’s plan met the Governor’s executive order requirements before the announcement.) In addition, all NCAA Landmark Conference and non-conference play is cancelled for the spring.

In short—while there remain no reported cases of COVID-19 on the Drew campus—the situation has rapidly changed. The best course we have to meet our primary goals of safety and social distancing, while ensuring academic continuity, is to continue our virtual learning experience through the end of the semester and to require students to seek, and be granted, an exemption to remain in residence on campus. By having fewer people on campus, we decrease the potential health risk to the larger community.

Though the decision is clear, it was not an easy one to make. I’m particularly mindful of the implications this shift causes for you, our students, who are undoubtedly upset about losing time with friends and mentors and no longer having access to Drew’s research and performance facilities and immersive experiences, as well as missing out on time-honored traditions like athletic contests and Commencement, scheduled for May 9 (more on Commencement below). We’re developing new ways to come together virtually, creating opportunities to connect for curricular, co-curricular, and ceremonial reasons, and we welcome your ideas.

Some of you may be concerned due to personal or financial hardships, and we will work with and support you through this challenging time. You might find answers to some of your questions below and at our COVID-19 Student FAQ page, or reach out to stuaff@drew.edu.

With the suspension of most campus operations come practical and logistical questions. Answers to some of those questions are outlined below, and you can find full details at COVID-19 Student FAQ page, as well as a page specifically devoted to housing and moving logistics. There you’ll also find FAQ about DVT, including academic and technical resources and support. We sent out a communication to our students on Sunday evening outlining these resources and understand not all may have received it; you can find that email here.

Academic Continuity and Summer Programs

• 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

Dear Drew students and families,

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.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses and there are different types of coronavirus within that family, much like there are different types of influenza viruses. Coronaviruses in general are not new, they are quite common and are a frequent cause of respiratory illnesses such as the common cold. Coronaviruses tend to circulate in the fall and winter months, similar to influenza. Most people get infected with these viruses at some point in their lives.

The type of coronavirus that has recently emerged in Wuhan, China is a new type of coronavirus and is infecting people for the first time (which means that people do not have any immunity to it).

Information to date suggests this virus is causing symptoms consistent with a respiratory illness such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath.

At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Typically, with most respiratory viruses, people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Chinese officials report that sustained person-to-person spread in the community is occurring in China.

Similar spread has been reported in other countries. Person-to-person spread in the United States has been detected but the risk to the general public remains low. Cases in healthcare settings, like hospitals, may also occur.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for the coronavirus. There is no vaccine to prevent this virus, and the CDC advises that the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. These include washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol- based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available and avoiding others who are sick.

NJDOH recommends that schools increase education on respiratory hygiene. Students, faculty and staff should all be asked to follow these steps that prevent the transmission of respiratory infections:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or into your sleeve, not your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Stay home from class and work if you’re sick.
• Avoid people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Adhere to exclusion recommendations from public health. For acute respiratory illness; fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.
• Separate sick students and staff from others until they can go home.
• Provide adequate supplies, including clean and functional handwashing stations, soap, paper towels, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Encourage routine surface cleaning through education, policy, and the provision of supplies.
• Get a flu shot – it’s not too late to be protected!

The CDC announced a recommendation regarding the use of cloth face coverings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission, based on recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.  This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.  In light of this new evidence, 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 from the CDC, including instructions on how to make your own face covering.