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.
August 15, 2022
New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
To: New Jersey Campus Communities
From: Robert Pignatello, Senior Vice President for University Operations
I hope everyone continues to enjoy a great summer. As we approach the start of the fall term, I want to provide the latest information on key health and safety issues including our COVID-19 protocols and policies for the upcoming semester and some information about the global outbreak of monkeypox.
COVID-19 Protocols
While we all wish COVID-19 was no longer with us, it unfortunately remains a challenge. The good news, though, is that most community members are vaccinated and the current variants of the virus are typically less severe. The even better news is that we know our community members are committed to taking personal responsibility and caring for one another to help keep each other safe. That has been the case throughout the pandemic and I know it will continue to be so this year.
Our vaccination requirement remains in effect and has been a big part of our success in combatting the virus. If you are new to the University this semester and have not submitted your documentation to Medicat, please do so as soon as possible. We also encourage you to get a booster shot. Requests for medical and religious exemptions are reviewed individually. Please note that medical exemptions must be renewed annually.
Masks are not mandatory but they are encouraged indoors and in high-density areas outside, particularly — as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises — when the area transmission rates are high. Everyone should feel free to wear a mask if they choose to do so. (Masks are still required in health care settings and should be worn in public by those who are following COVID-19 protocols after testing positive or being exposed to the virus.)
Like many institutions have decided, FDU will not require entry testing or surveillance testing this semester. There also will be no contact tracing or social distancing requirements. These measures align with the latest CDC guidance issued last week. Student Health Services will of course continue to provide testing for symptomatic students.
If you are feeling ill, please get tested. Students who need to be tested should call Student Health Services to make an appointment (contact numbers appear below). If you test positive you must notify the University immediately (students must notify Student Health Services and faculty and staff must notify Human Resources). More information for students can be found here. More information for faculty and staff can be found here.
- Florham Campus – Student Health Services – 973-443-8535. After hours, call Florham Campus Public Safety – 973-443-8888.
- Metropolitan Campus – Student Health Services – 201-692-2437. After hours, call Metropolitan Campus Public Safety – 201-692-2222.
Please check the COVID-19 section of the website for more information.
Monkeypox
We also want to share information with the campus community related to the spread and prevention of monkeypox as the University prepares for the start of the Fall 2022 term. Guidance from the CDC and the New Jersey Department of Health continues to emerge as we learn more about this virus and its spread, and we will continuously update our community as we learn more.
As of mid-August, the United States has recorded more than 10,000 cases of monkeypox and has declared it a public health emergency. Monkeypox is a viral illness that causes flu-like symptoms and a painful pimple or blister-like rash, which appears within 1-2 weeks of exposure. Once the rash appears, the virus becomes contagious. Monkeypox most commonly spreads through very close, intimate contact (kissing, cuddling or sex) or direct contact with an infected person’s body fluids, rash or scabs. Monkeypox is far less contagious than COVID-19, which primarily spreads through respiratory or airborne droplets. Monkeypox generally requires direct contact to spread, which means much closer and more prolonged contact is necessary to spread monkeypox.
While monkeypox remains uncommon, it is important for students to know how to avoid contracting the virus, identify the signs and symptoms it causes, and know what to do if they are exposed. To prevent monkeypox, students should avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox and avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has frequently used. Similar to preventing other viruses, individuals should regularly wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching one’s face and after using the bathroom.
Anyone can get monkeypox. If a student experiences symptoms or has direct contact with someone who has developed monkeypox, they should contact Student Health Services immediately. Those who are experiencing any symptoms should stay away from others, cover any rash or lesions, and wear a mask until they see a healthcare provider. Symptoms generally resolve within 2-4 weeks, when the monkeypox rash or blisters heal.
For more information about monkeypox see the CDC website or the New Jersey Department of Health website.
Monitor the Website
We will provide further communications as needed throughout the semester and the FDU website will be updated on a continuing basis with information on key health and safety issues. As always, our policies and practices for safeguarding the University community are subject to change. As we head into the new academic year, we thank you in advance for your patience and your understanding. With your cooperation, I am confident we will enjoy an excellent year.
Links to Updates
August 15: New Jersey Campuses Health and Safety Update
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.