Residence Life 2020-2021 Recovery Guidelines

    

 

NJIT's recovery plan is informed by New Jersey’s The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health, the federal government’s Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Considerations for Institutes of Higher Education, and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) Restart Standards for all New Jersey Institutions of Higher Education.

NJIT presently is in Phase 2 of the recovery plan.
 


Revised 2020-2021 Resident Contract with COVID-specific revisions effective July 2, 2020.

Applicants received a direct email on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, informing them of the need to accept the revised contract terms by August 1, 2020, to maintain an active contract. Students who do not accept the terms online by August 1, 2020, will have their contracts canceled. Students can reapply and may be issued a placement pending available space.  

Students may cancel their 2020-2021 resident contract without penalty by sending a request to cancel to reslife@njit.edu by August 1, 2020 through the student's NJIT email account.

Changes in Occupancy due to COVID-19 related safety concerns:

It is understood and agreed that during the current pandemic, the University is operating in accordance with the its Pandemic Recovery Plan, as filed with the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.  It is further understood that the resident may be relocated by the university during the term of the contract for health and safety reasons in order to comply with quarantine or isolation procedures, and resident agrees (1) to comply and cooperate with relocation plans and procedures and (2) that any such relocation will not result in a full or partial refund of housing costs.

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Acknowledgement:

  • The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. As a result, federal, state, and local governments and federal and state health agencies recommend social distancing in many locations to prevent the spread as well as other mitigation measures where social distancing is not possible, including the wearing of face coverings.
    • The University has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and Resident agrees to voluntarily comply with the same, including without limitation:
    • self-monitoring to prevent the spread of infectious diseases including the taking of Resident’s temperature and the reporting of symptoms such as chills, fever, respiratory issues, nausea, fatigue, or other signs of illness to designated University officials and
    • undergoing testing by the University for the presence of infectious diseases, including submitting to testing based on the presence of the above-described symptoms or testing due to possible exposure and
    • self-isolation if Resident tests positive for the presence of infectious disease or in other appropriate circumstances, including Resident’s relocation to an identified area deemed appropriate for self-isolation.
       
  • Notwithstanding the above-described University preventative measures, the University cannot guarantee that Resident will not become infected with COVID-19 given that Resident may reside with unrelated roommates, share communal bathrooms, common areas, study rooms, lounges, dining spaces, and other areas. Resident hereby acknowledges the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assumes the risk that Resident may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by residing at the Premises and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability or death to Resident.
     
  • Resident understands that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the Premises may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of the Resident and other Residents or others, including, but not limited to, the University and its trustees, officers, employees, agents and representatives. Resident voluntarily agrees to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to Resident (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability or death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that Resident may experience or incur in connection with residing at the Premises or attending the University (“Claims”). Resident hereby releases, covenants not to sue, discharges, and holds harmless the University, its trustees, officers, employees, agents and representatives, of and from the Claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto. Resident understands and agrees that this release includes any Claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of the University, its trustees, officers, employees, agents and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after residing at the Premises or attending the University.
     


Guidelines for All Phases Continue to Practice Good Hygiene

  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
  • Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.


People Who Feel Sick Should Stay Quarantined

  • Do not go to class or work.
  • Where possible, avoid contact with others.
  • Contact your healthcare provider or Student Health Services prior to visiting, and notify Residence Life immediately.
     


Phase One
Expired

  • Residence halls remain closed except for authorized students.
  • Social distancing required.
  • Guest privileges suspended. 
     


Phase Two
In effect as of June 15, 2020 per Stage 2 of Gov. Phil Murphy's "Road Back" plan.

  • Limit travel to and from campus. Residents should be aware that by returning to campus from areas where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back to campus.
  • Practice social distancing. Where possible, stay at least 6 feet apart from others and wear a face covering in all common spaces including entranceways and building corridors.
  • Non-essential common areas are closed or with reduced occupancy.
  • Guest privileges suspended. Residents may not host guests from off-campus or other residence halls unless necessary and approved by Residence Life. Greek Village included.
  • Adhere to hall-specific floor bathroom, elevator, kitchen, and laundry room use policies to minimize traffic in enclosed spaces.
  • Residents are required to schedule an appointment with Residence Life Office staff through Navigate for in-person services.  All other communication with Residence Life staff, unless in emergency situations, will be conducted virtually as appropriate.
  • Residence Life sponsored community activities and events will mostly be conducted virtually, although per Stage 2 of Gov. Phil Murphy's "Road Back" plan, approved indoor events may have a maximum attendance number of 10 people.
     


Phase Three

  • Limit travel to and from campus. Residents should be aware that by returning to campus from areas where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back to campus.
  • Practice social distancing. Where possible, stay at least 6 feet apart from others.
  • Common spaces will open with occupancy restrictions to maintain social distancing. 
  • Guest privileges remain suspended for all on-campus residents including the Greek Village. Residents may not host guests from off-campus or other residence halls unless necessary and approved by Residence Life.
  • Adhere to a hall-specific floor bathroom, elevator, kitchen, laundry room, and building Residence Life Office use policies to minimize traffic in enclosed spaces.
  • Events sponsored by Residence Life will be permitted where social distancing can be maintained and face coverings worn. 
     


Phase Four

  • Residents should consider minimizing time spent in crowded environments.
  • Community spaces open without restriction.
  • Guest privileges resume.
     


Quarantine Process & Meal Delivery
If a resident has COVID-19 (confirmed):

  • Residents with COVID-19 symptoms and their roommates/suitemates and close contacts will be required to self-isolate for 14-days off-campus or in their current living quarters unless one is assigned to Redwood Hall. Redwood Hall residents will be temporarily relocated to a single room with a private bathroom due to the nature of Redwood Hall’s traditional common floor bathroom.
  • Residence Life staff will coordinate daily meal delivery for all quarantined students on-campus whether or not they purchased a dining plan. Students without meal plans may be charged a daily rate for meals while in quarantine. 
  • The Dean of Students and Campus Life, Public Safety, and Facilities Services will be notified of all students placed in quarantine by Residence Life.  Students will be provided an alternative option for their work, such as remote instruction.
  • Parental notification will take place for any impacted minor.
     

If a resident is exposed to COVID-19:

  • Exposed students may exit quarantine for essential purposes only such as to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items.  Student ID access will automatically activate each day, 7-days a week between 8:30-10:00 am, 12:30-2:00 pm, 5:00-6:30pm to complete essential activities as defined by the State's Advisory plan. These time frames also correlate with Gourmet Dining's meal times. While in the hall you must remain in your quarantine space.
  • Students who fail to return by 2:00 pm will be documented by Residence Life and a conduct meeting may follow.


Redwood Hall

  • Effective January 16, 2021, Redwood Hall will be used exclusively for COVID-19 positive student isolation.

 

 

Relavent Resources