Planning for a healthy and safe spring semester

After a close examination of current CDC and state guidelines, data related to regional infection rates, and conversations with our health experts, the Health Metrics team developed a plan to open for the spring semester in person and on time. As always, the effort to research, develop and implement these health and safety plans is collaborative and we especially thank the Faculty COVID Advisory team for helping develop and approving the guidance. 

As we have done successfully before, we have added protocols and options that will help employees and students proceed safely. We promise to continue to monitor case counts and data. If we need to adjust the plan, we will.

Please rely on these guidelines for the spring semester:

Testing to increase safety
Every student living on campus or in affiliated housing must be tested within the first week of arrival. Having residential students test on campus increases the validity of the test results because everyone will receive the same PCR tests. The Office of the Dean of Students will email residential students with testing instructions in the coming days.  

Students, faculty and staff must have their proof of vaccination or valid medical/religious exemption on file. All unvaccinated students will be required to begin their weekly testing during the first week of classes, starting Jan. 17.

Anyone with COVID-like symptoms should get tested and stay home until symptoms improve. Rowan University will follow state health guidelines for isolation and quarantine. Guidelines can be found on the Wellness Center’s isolation and quarantine requirements website.  

Classroom learning
We will begin the semester on time with in-person instruction. In cases of infection or exposure, students must complete and submit an absence notification form if they miss in-person or remote classes, in advance if possible. Professors will receive a notice from the Dean of Students Office and will be asked to offer support for those who cannot attend class.

Students who are impacted by COVID may ask faculty for temporary special arrangements for remote instruction. Faculty are encouraged to offer such options where feasible and reasonable.  Students will be advised as needed about options for situations where in-person experiential learning cannot be made up or replicated. 

Medical students will continue to follow their school’s health and safety protocols.

Flex work opportunities
During the current spike in virus cases, the University is temporarily expanding flex work opportunities for employees impacted by illness, exposure, or their children’s school closures. Employees must work with their direct supervisor to determine if remote work is possible for their position. Employees must provide proof of exposure or of school closure for their dependents. The expanded flex work opportunity is for the current COVID emergency and will begin with a two-week period. We will assess whether emergency flex work should be extended. Faculty who are impacted by COVID and need to work remotely should notify their department chairs and/or dean that they are switching to remote instruction for a two-week period in accordance with the memorandum of agreement.  

Masking
The University-wide masking policy remains in effect. As a reminder, Rowan requires all students, faculty and staff, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks in all classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories and other crowded, indoor public spaces.

Masks must fit properly, covering the nose, mouth and chin. While the current policy allows for small groups of vaccinated individuals (study groups, colleague meetings) to continue meeting unmasked if social distancing is achievable and everyone in the group agrees to the arrangement, we recommend such activities be curtailed until this wave of COVID infections from the omicron variant subsides. Unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks, regardless of group size.

Monitoring infection rates
Rowan’s daily screening for all members of the University community will continue. Employees and students must self-report potential COVID-19 symptoms or exposure via the online screening application every day.

Asymptomatic testing for any member of the Rowan community will continue in the Owl’s Nest in Chamberlain Student Center on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is required prior to the first test. It takes just a few minutes and provides valuable information about our community to help guide our public health decisions. 

The Wellness Center will offer daily symptomatic testing and rapid testing for students and employees. Visit the Wellness Center’s COVID-19 information website for additional information about rapid testing on the Glassboro campus.

Wastewater testing
Last year, the University began wastewater testing in residence halls. Wastewater surveillance will continue this spring as a general community surveillance tool rather than a test that directs immediate action. The testing, combined with asymptomatic testing and our daily screening requirement, gives us another tool to gauge the health and safety of our campus community.

Getting vaccinations and boosters
Rowan students and employees are strongly encouraged to receive their COVID vaccination and/or booster shots, and they may do so at the Owl’s Nest in Chamberlain Student Center (Glassboro). Registration is required.

Vaccinations and boosters also can be obtained at multiple sites in the region. For information, visit the state’s COVID-19 Information Hub.

Thank you
We know life amid a pandemic is complicated and different than what we’d prefer. After more than two years, we also know it’s worth the effort to persist, to be cautious, to be flexible and to encourage each other. We are confident that the Rowan community is up to the challenge.

Respectfully, 

Tony Lowman
Provost

Terri Drye
Vice President for Human Resources/CHRO

Kevin S. Koett
Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students