COVID-19 Employee Update: March 11

Based on the last 24 hours of developing information about COVID-19, we have expanded guidance for Rowan University students, employees and visitors.

Our priority for the next two weeks is to ensure that Rowan University is prepared to transition all instruction to remote delivery by March 30. This challenge demands creativity and commitment in every sector of our operation. While we don’t know what each day will bring, it is vital that everyone makes every effort to maintain the quality of the educational experience and preserve student progress toward their degrees.

Responding to Human Resources concerns

We’ve added a new section to the FAQ page with more than a dozen entries that relate directly to employment matters. Please visit rowan.edu/virusinfo for full information. The emergency contingency plan for staffing and sick time and the telework and emergency preparedness documents are now available on the Human Resources website. 

Preparing alternative methods for delivering course content

We continue to seek feedback from faculty about how best to support them and their students. Academic leadership and IRT are working intently to serve the people carrying out our academic mission and help them achieve their objectives.

The Faculty Center and Information Resources & Technology have created guides to help faculty as they plan to transition course content to be delivered online. Please visit those websites for tools and resources for using Blackboard and Canvas, virtually communicating and collaborating with students and more. The Faculty Center is also soliciting volunteers to help field questions from faculty about Blackboard, Webex, Google Apps and other tools. We are also coordinating on additional training and Q&A opportunities next week for faculty who are preparing to transition their courses online. We will provide more details about those opportunities when they are finalized. 

Working Remotely

Information Resources & Technology has compiled a guide of the tools and resources that will help employees work remotely. Please review the guide as you prepare for the possibility of telework. 

If you have any questions about the resources on that website, please contact the Technology Support Center at 856-256-4400 or submit a ticket in the IRT Support Portal. 

We are halfway through yet another week of our campus response to COVID-19 and at the beginning of what may stretch well into the spring semester. Each day will bring a new challenge and a new opportunity to show Rowan’s resiliience, adaptability and leadership. 

Below are responses to the FAQ that we’ve added in the last day. We will continue with updates daily or even more frequently. To be more helpful to readers, we’ve rearranged the FAQ into categories for students, employees and visitors. Please visit rowan.edu/virusinfo.

FAQs - updated March 11

Health

Does Rowan University have any confirmed cases of COVID-19?
No, Rowan University has no presumptive or confirmed cases.

Who is vulnerable to COVID-19?
The CDC advises that for the majority of people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low. There is not widespread circulation in most United States communities, but the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and pre-existing health conditions are the most vulnerable. For more details, please see CDC guidelines on risk assessment. 

Can I be tested for coronavirus at the Wellness Center?
Not at this time. If you know you have been exposed to someone with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and you develop a cough, fever or shortness of breath or you have symptoms of pneumonia, regardless of possible exposure to a confirmed case, contact the Wellness Center to request help. The Wellness Center will assist with contacting public health experts and arranging transportation for proper care and testing.

If classes go online, will the Wellness Center remain open?
Yes, it will remain open without changes to operating procedures. The university as a whole, including residence halls and dining options will remain open, too. 

If a student requires self-quarantine or self-isolation, where will they be housed?
Undergraduate students on campus will be advised to go home if they can travel safely. Otherwise, we will move them to a safe place for quarantine or isolation on or near campus and provide support.

Should I be concerned about pets or companion animals and COVID-19?
To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can be infected with or spread COVID-19. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after being around animals. 

Students

Are we making provisions for students who do not have access to technology, such as internet or computers at home?
We are working through individual colleges to identify students who may have technology needs. We are making available computers in the computer labs on campus, but if students are identified who require additional support, we will work with IRT and colleges to ensure that all students have access to an alternative learning method.

I have a disability that may require accommodations for alternative instruction methods. What should I do?
While deans and faculty are helping identify students with special needs and proposed alternative instruction methods to ensure that all student needs are met, we welcome students to self-identify. If you have approved accommodations or anticipate needing to request accommodations, please contact Director of the Academic Success Center and Disability Resources John Woodruff: 856-256-4259.   

If I don’t like on-line classes, and the University moves to that instruction model, do I get a refund for the semester?
No, the measures we are taking are meant to address health and safety concerns. We are operating under emergency circumstances. If you believe you need an accommodation, please call Dean of Students Kevin Koett: 856-256-4283.

Will advising services be available during the extended spring break?
Yes. Advising services will be available during the extended spring break from March 16 until March 27. Students can schedule appointments through Rowan Success Network (RSN) powered by Starfish.  If a student already has a scheduled advising appointment during the extended spring break but is not on campus for a face-to-face meeting, the appointment can be conducted by phone or an alternate method such as an online meeting. Please contact your assigned advisor through the Rowan Success Network (RSN) powered by Starfish.  If you are not sure who to contact, please email advise@rowan.edu.

Is my internship, student teaching assignment or work with an off-campus employer going to be affected?
While the university remains open, students should continue their assignments and be aware that their employers may adjust their own policies which could impact student staff. We will be clarifying policies for allied health placements and will be communicating with these students directly.  

If I am a student worker, can I still come to work during the extended Spring Break week?
Yes, as of now, the only change is that classes may be conducted remotely. The university will remain open and operations will continue as usual.

How do I get an excused absence if I am anxious about attending class?
Please refer to the Amended University Attendance Policy. If the Wellness Center asks a student to self-Isolate, we will follow policies to notify the Dean of Students for the duration of illness or self isolation recommendations.

Will I receive a refund for tuition and fees due to the extended break?
No. All course content will be completed within the adjusted timeframe.

If I go home, will I get a refund for on-campus housing or my meal plan? 
Residence halls and dining facilities will remain open. If and when we move instruction online, our goal is to minimize risk by allowing students and faculty to access educational materials remotely, not to evacuate the campus. 

Is Commencement going to be canceled?
A decision will be made no later than April 1.

I’m a Rowan College student through the Rowan Choice program. How does this affect me?
Rowan College of Burlington County and Rowan College of South Jersey are independent and operate separately from Rowan University. Those in the Rowan Choice program who reside on the Rowan University Glassboro campus should expect communication from Rowan College of South Jersey.

Academic Instruction and Services

Does the institution have IT infrastructure in place to support online learning en masse? What accommodations are being made for students who may not have access to internet/technology needed?
Yes, we have the IT infrastructure in place. IRT is producing manuals for faculty to assist with questions. Students who do not have access who are on campus will use the computer labs on campus. Students who are not on campus will be handled on an individual basis in consultation with the Dean of Students.

How will classes with labs or clinical components be handled and moved online?
In some areas, we have identified virtual labs. Others will be held in person if the campus is open and under normal operation. Clinical experiences will continue unless an emergent situation dictates otherwise.

I understand that Webex has been identified as the preferred product for online delivery. Will other online technologies be available if those are more user-friendly?
Information Resources & Technology has compiled a guide of the tools and resources that will help employees work remotely. Please review the guide as you prepare for the possibility of telework. If you have any questions about the resources on that website, please contact the Technology Support Center at 856-256-4400 or submit a ticket in the IRT Support Portal.

How can I find help or help my colleagues with the transition to online instruction?
The Faculty Center and Information Resources & Technology have created guides to help faculty as they plan to transition course content to be delivered online. Please review those websites for tools and resources for using Blackboard and Canvas, virtually communicating and collaborating with students and more.  

The Faculty Center is also soliciting volunteers to help field questions from faculty about Blackboard, Webex, Google Apps and other tools. IRT will provide more details about those opportunities when they are finalized. 

Will the university be providing training or support for faculty who have not taught online before
Yes, we are already holding forums in conjunction with the University Senate and IRT, and the Faculty Center is providing training and resources for faculty. The Affordability Task Force is also supporting faculty by offering information on where to find online content.

Employee

Should we continue on-campus interviews?
We are attempting to minimize on-campus visitors and maximize the use of technology for communications. As such, we encourage you to convert your proposed on-campus interviews to Webex or other online formats. If you have specific questions, contact Human Resources. 

How will tenure and recontracting requirements be addressed such as student interviews and peer evaluations?
We will collect online evaluations from students if possible, but we are working with the University Senate to ensure that faculty are not penalized by this crisis in the tenure and recontracting period. 

Is Commencement going to be canceled?
A decision will be made no later than April 1.

Visitors

Are campus tours still occurring? 
Out of an abundance of caution, all tours have been canceled. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at 856-256-4200.

How do the changes related to COVID-19 affect events on campus?
Unfortunately, virtually all events and activities open to the public are canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience and disruption, but the University is attempting to reduce the number of visitors to campus in our effort to protect the health and welfare of our students.   

Is Commencement going to be canceled?
A decision will be made no later than April 1.