Coronavirus Updates
Fairleigh Dickinson University continues to take measures to reduce the risks concerning COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. We are planning in line with recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of State and the State of New Jersey Department of Health, as well as Canadian federal and British Columbia health authorities for our Vancouver Campus, and the Department of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom for Wroxton College. In accordance with state guidelines, on July 17 FDU submitted to the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education its Plan for Reopening Its New Jersey Campuses.
The University’s notifications regarding the coronavirus will be posted here in reverse chronological order so that all messages are available and the most recent appear first. Related information for reference is also provided as links shown on this page. Members of the University community who are feeling ill or who are aware of someone who is feeling ill should review the Student, Faculty and Staff Health sections of Coronavirus Information from HR.
January 7, 2021
President’s Update – Start of Spring 2021 Term
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Happy New Year to you all! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break and continued to take precautions to ensure your health and safety and that of your loved ones.
After such a difficult year in 2020, I know we are all looking forward to a much better year in 2021. I am optimistic that 2021 will indeed be a better year, and that soon we will be able to resume many activities that we were not able to engage in over the past 10 months and may have taken for granted.
As you know, we have been preparing for the Spring 2021 semester mindful that we may have to alter our plans, depending on the circumstances. We have hopes that many in-person activities and courses can take place this spring, but we recognize that January and February especially could be difficult months as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to take its toll on our region and the nation.
There have been incredible developments with vaccines, and that certainly is welcome news. However, while vaccines will eventually help us return to normal, the distribution of vaccines will take time. Moreover, with the surge that is now occurring, and with colder winter months still ahead, we must continue to do all that we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to safeguard our campus communities. Therefore, the University has decided that all courses on both New Jersey campuses will be conducted remotely (fully online) for the first three weeks of the Spring 2021 semester. Those courses that were scheduled to be in person beginning January 25 will now begin remotely, and we expect will move to in-person instruction on Monday, February 15.
We are taking this action out of an abundance of caution and to help minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our community and region. We again have high hopes that such measures are temporary, and that, as the Spring 2021 semester moves forward, we will be able to welcome more and more students back to our campuses and classrooms.
While instruction will begin remotely, those students who wish to reside on campus are still welcome to return to campus as planned, and before the semester begins on January 25. Resident students will return on a staggered basis, and appointments must be made in advance. For move-in appointments and further questions on housing, please contact metrohousing@fdu.edu (Metropolitan Campus) or fduhousing@fdu.edu (Florham Campus).
Given the ongoing uncertainty, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and make adjustments if necessary to help safeguard our community. We will provide additional updates as appropriate. Thank you everyone for your continued patience and understanding. I do hope to see you on campus again soon.
Yours in FDU,
Christopher A. Capuano, Ph.D.
President
Links to Updates
January 7, 2021: President’s Update – Start of Spring 2021 Term
November 25: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
November 25: President’s Update – Giving Thanks
November 18: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
November 11: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
November 4: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
October 28: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
October 21: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
October 16: President’s Update – Spring 2021 Semester
October 14: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
October 7: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
September 30: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
September 23: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
September 21: Study Abroad and Wroxton College
September 16: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
September 9: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
September 2: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
September 1: President’s Update – United for Our Students
August 17: President’s Update – Welcome to Fall 2020
August 10: President’s Update – Fall 2020 Semester
July 31: President’s Update – Returning to Campus
July 20: President’s Update – Fall 2020 Semester Reopening Plan
July 7: President’s Update – Preparing for Fall 2020 Semester
June 12: President’s Update – Supporting Our Students
June 4: Task Force for Campus Re-occupancy and Operations.
May 29: President’s Update – The Fall 2020 Semester.
May 8: President’s Update – Planning for the Fall 2020 Semester.
April 20: President’s Update – Important Cost-Saving Measures.
April 9: President’s Update – A Note of Appreciation.
April 9: Deadline Extension for Student Withdrawal from Classes.
April 7: All Summer Sessions for 2020.
April 3: Update on Pass/Fail Option for Spring Semester 2020.
April 2: Graduate Summer Sessions 2020.
March 30: Undergraduate Summer Sessions 2020.
March 25: President’s Update – Commencement.
March 25: Pass/Fail Option for Undergraduate Students for Spring Semester 2020.
March 20: President’s Update – Remote Learning Extended for Remainder of Spring Semester.
March 20: Pass/Fail Option for Undergraduate Students for Spring Semester 2020.
March 15: President’s Update – Latest Actions Related to COVID-19 Pandemic.
March 13: Wroxton College Students to Return Home.
March 10: President’s Update on Moving to Remote Learning.
March 9: Working together as a community and an update on potential self-isolation.
March 6: Update on travel restrictions and recommendations, and a travel registry for faculty and staff.
March 2: Update on University-sponsored international trips as well as more travel-related news.
February 28: Update on international travel, study abroad, our international campuses and necessary precautions.