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.
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.
May 25, 2022
President’s Note — A Wonderful Year
Dear Members of the University Community,
When we began the academic year last August and returned to in-person classes and activities, we were very excited but also a little uncertain about how the year would go. We had safety measures in place, and we had an incredibly resilient group of faculty, staff, and students who were ready to come back to campus—so we were confident. However, we were also dealing with an ongoing pandemic that for the most part was beyond our control.
Certainly there were challenges this past year, and some ups and downs, but overall this was the most satisfying year I can remember, for several major reasons. First, the joy from being together in person again was palpable and abundantly clear, and I believe that we all appreciated the togetherness and sense of cohesiveness that makes our community so special. Second, we took care of one another, adapting when necessary but always taking preventative and precautionary measures to keep infection rates on our campuses as low as possible. Finally and most importantly, we were able to continue uninterrupted throughout the year with in-person classes and the extracurricular activities that best define the FDU experience.
I could point to many highlights this year, from new programs to new facilities and from new leaders making strong contributions to new organizational changes directed at enhancing student services. Moreover, what’s very impressive about FDU is that the University didn’t just get by during this crisis; we continued to pursue ambitious goals and achieved important milestones. I especially appreciated seeing student-led and collaborative initiatives such as the creation of Career Closets on both New Jersey campuses, the opening of Mansion Munchies at the Florham Campus, the inaugural career fair in Vancouver which garnered more than 500 attendees, and so many more. But beyond any particular achievements, for me the most special part of this year was the community’s efforts to reunite together, work together, and look out for one another. Thank you everyone for your flexibility, your perseverance, and your commitment to FDU and to each other.
Our devoted efforts this year culminated with a wonderful Commencement ceremony at MetLife Stadium for our New Jersey campuses and an equally outstanding Commencement ceremony at the Westside Church in Vancouver for our Vancouver Campus graduates. Every year, it is wonderful to see our hard-working students recognized for their outstanding success, but this year was even sweeter, knowing how much has occurred during the last two years and what these students in particular had to overcome to reach this point. Congratulations again to the Class of 2022! And congratulations to all our students, faculty, and staff, for all that you have overcome and achieved. I applaud and admire all of you.
We hope fewer challenges await next year, but I also know that we will be ready for whatever comes next. Concerning COVID-19, at FDU we have removed many restrictions recently and we hope to begin the fall that way. As always, however, we will be guided by the health authorities and the conditions in our region. The vaccination requirement for faculty, staff, and students on our New Jersey campuses, which has played a major factor in our success and in our country’s success in combating the virus, will remain in effect. We also continue to urge community members to get a booster shot.
Beyond COVID-19, there are other challenges facing FDU and higher education, from the intense competition among institutions due to the demographic decline in high school graduates, from the changing needs and preferences among students to the rising importance of demonstrating real-world value in what they study, and from mounting public pressure to scrutinize each move that institutions make to the overwhelming financial imperative to keep tuition and costs as low as possible. There is no doubt that the pressure on higher education today is intense.
But with the strength of our community, we will meet all of these challenges. The next phase of strategic planning is now moving thoughtfully but earnestly, and we thank the many community members who have shared ideas that are guiding the development of our next strategic plan. The University is poised for many prominent highlights ahead. These accomplishments again are only possible because of your remarkable efforts.
We are fortunate that we have many strengths at FDU, but, by far, the most critical asset is our people. You have carried us through this crisis, and upon your shoulders FDU can see further now than before, and we are able to look ahead with optimism and excitement.
Thank you as always for all your contributions to the success of the University and to the culture of caring that was so vividly shown this year at FDU. I hope you all enjoy a restful, healthy, and productive summer ahead.
Thank you all!
Yours in FDU,
Christopher A. Capuano, Ph.D.
President
Links to Updates
May 25: President’s Note — A Wonderful Year
April 19: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
March 31: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
March 25: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update — Face Covering Policy Update
March 10: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
March 3: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update — Revised Face Covering Policy
February 24: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
February 17: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
February 10: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
February 3: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
January 28: Spring Semester Begins
January 21: Booster Shots Available
January 13: Spring Semester Update
January 12, 2022: President’s Update – Start of the Spring Semester
December 31: Returning to Campus and Updated CDC Guidance on Isolation and Quarantine
December 17: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
December 10: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
December 9: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
December 2: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
November 19: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
November 12: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
November 5: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
November 2: President’s Update – Looking Ahead to the Spring
October 29: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
October 22: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
October 15: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
October 8: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
October 1: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
September 24: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
September 17: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
September 9: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
September 3: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
August 27: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
August 23: President’s Note – Welcome to the New Academic Year
August 11: President’s Note – Updated Masking and Vaccination Requirements
July 29: Updated Mask Guidelines and Vaccination Confirmation
June 10: President’s Update – Return to Campus
May 27: Mask Policy Update
May 27: President’s Update – A Year We Will Never Forget
May 17: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
May 12: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
May 5: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
April 28: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
April 21: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
April 15: President’s Update – Fall 2021 Semester
April 14: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
April 7: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
March 31: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
March 24: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
March 23: President’s Update – Planning for Fall 2021
March 17: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
March 10: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
March 3: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
February 24: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
February 17: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
February 15: President’s Update – Start of In-Person Classes
February 10: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
February 3: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
January 27: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
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.