Return to Rowan Update, August 10

In just a few days, athletes and other student groups will arrive on our Glassboro campus. We are truly excited about the plans we have in place to keep Rowan safe and healthy in the new academic year. The Return to Rowan website has been updated, and will continue to be edited as the University receives guidance and instruction from the Centers for Disease Control, health care experts and Governor Murphy.

Below is a short update on the progress being made and a list of rules recently adopted to ensure we are ready for the fall semester.

Vaccination rates
We are pleased to announce that our vaccination incentive programs are progressing nicely. As of yesterday, 77.5 percent of our students taking in-person classes either submitted proof of vaccination or a declination form. Of the 77.5 percent, 84.5 percent submitted proof of vaccination and 15.5 percent completed the declination form and opted-out due to medical, religious or personal reasons. 

When just tracking students who will live on campus, 87.3 percent of our students either submitted proof of vaccination or submitted a declination form. Of the 87.3 percent, 87 percent submitted proof of vaccination and 13 percent opted out due to medical, religious or personal reasons.

Please note, students may only opt out of getting vaccinated for personal reasons while the vaccines are under emergency use authorization. Once the FDA gives its full approval for use, students must either vaccinate or submit a declination form claiming medical or religious exemption.  

Rules for the unvaccinated students 
While there remains a small percentage of students who are registered for in-person courses and have not submitted their proof of vaccination or a declination form as of today, we have instituted the following rules to ensure we know the status of each student by the first week of fall semester: 

• Prior to the beginning of classes, faculty will receive a list of students in their in-person classes who have not completed their required documentation relating to their vaccination status. These students will not be allowed to attend in-person classes until they have submitted their required documentation. Similarly, students will not be allowed to attend classes or reside in the residence halls without submitting proof of vaccination or a declination form.

• Students who submit a declination form are required to wear a mask when indoors in public spaces, and will be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing protocols. 

• Students who do not comply with testing will be held accountable through removal from in-person classes, revocation of housing, and dismissal from the University in accordance with applicable university policy. The Office of the Dean of Students will oversee tracking and monitoring of students throughout this process. Faculty should not directly address students about their vaccination status; they should refer these issues to the Dean of Students to address through the correct process. 

• Unvaccinated students living in residence halls will be required to participate in on-campus testing prior to being allowed to move in. Students who test negative will be authorized to proceed, and those who test positive will be required to isolate at their home or in Triad Hall, the residence hall used for isolation and recovery last year.

Wearing masks
On the main campus and in non-medical, school-related facilities, wearing a mask indoors remains optional for those who are vaccinated. Following recommendations from the CDC and Gov. Murphy, we strongly recommend that vaccinated individuals mask up in:

• Crowded indoor settings, such as classrooms
• Indoor settings involving activities with close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated
• Indoor settings where the vaccine status of other individuals present is unknown
• Settings where an individual is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease (the immunocompromised individual should mask, too) 

Weekly testing
Unvaccinated students and employees who have not submitted proof of vaccination will be required to be tested for COVID-19 weekly starting Wednesday, Sept. 1. The Dean of Students will manage testing for unvaccinated students. Human Resources will work with the Wellness Center to schedule employees. Unvaccinated employees may be required to test more frequently depending on their work assignments.

As always, vaccinated individuals—employees, students, vendors and guests—are welcome to wear a mask. We encourage everyone to respect and support each other’s decisions. 

Employee vaccinations
Employees have been encouraged to submit vaccination records through an incentive program. Employees who provided proof of vaccination have been entered into the employee incentive program weekly drawing and were eligible for a special work scheduling. Employees who have not  provided  proof of vaccination are required to follow mask mandates and will be required to be tested at least once a week. All employees who have not submitted proof of vaccination or who have not received an exemption will be considered “unvaccinated” for testing purposes effective September 1.

Vaccinations available on the main campus
The Gloucester County Health Department, with the assistance of the Wellness Center, will hold COVID-19 vaccination clinics on the following dates:

• August 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chamberlain Student Center (Owl’s Nest)
• August 23 and 27-30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Jersey Technology Park

Pfizer and J&J vaccines will be available. Anyone over the age of 12 is eligible. However, anyone under the age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. These clinics are open to students, employees and the general public. Registration is not required.

Looking forward to fall
As we move closer to the fall semester, University leaders will continue to make decisions to keep our community and neighbors safe and healthy by following the recommendations of the experts in the fields of infectious disease and health care. Please continue to do your part to keep yourself, your family, and your community healthy. We are looking forward to finally welcoming every one of you back to campus as we work together to ensure a productive and rewarding academic year for all.

For more information, please contact:

• Wellness Center, 856-256-4333, wellnesscenter@rowan.edu
• Office of Dean of Students, 856-256-4283, deanofstudents@rowan.edu 
• Human Resources, 856-256-4134, hr@rowan.edu