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 11, 2021
President’s Note – Updated Masking and Vaccination Requirements
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
We remain very optimistic about the fall semester, and we are looking forward to welcoming our students to campus for in-person courses, an active residence hall experience, and an exciting calendar of events.
At the same time, as we all know by now, the Delta variant – a very contagious strain of COVID-19 – has caused a rise in cases, as well as an increase in the rate of transmission in our state and throughout the nation. We also have seen that younger individuals are increasingly contracting the virus and that, while not common, transmission is possible from and between vaccinated individuals.
While the rise in cases is concerning, the good news is that the percentage of people in New Jersey who are vaccinated is above the national average and, largely for that reason, the numbers of people hospitalized and severely ill remains well below the numbers we were seeing during prior surges.
With the fall semester less than two weeks away, and due to the surge of cases caused by the Delta variant, we are making several important changes relating to vaccine and masking requirements for students, faculty, and staff, which are noted below. These changes involve the vaccination deadline, expansion of the masking policy, and a new University requirement of vaccinations for faculty and staff.
Vaccination Deadlines and New Masking Policy
For months, we have been urging all members of the FDU community to get vaccinated as soon as possible. We appreciate all those who have been vaccinated and have uploaded their proof of vaccination in a timely manner. Getting vaccinated remains the number-one measure you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. Once again, if you haven’t already done so, we remind all students, faculty, and staff to upload their vaccination records to Medicat as soon as possible.
In general, people who have been fully vaccinated can resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic. However, some increased precautions even for fully vaccinated persons are recommended in light of the recent surge. As a result of the guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of New Jersey, effective immediately FDU is requiring the use of masks inside all buildings for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Masks are not required when alone in an office or alone in a dorm suite or with roommates, or when actively eating and drinking. (Student athletes will follow NCAA masking guidance as communicated by their coaches.) While this policy will remain in effect until further notice, this will not limit any of the plans we have for in-person events and experiences this coming semester. We again will closely monitor ongoing developments, and we hope to be able to relax this provision as soon as the situation improves and the health and governmental authorities deem it advisable to do so. However, if we are able to soon lift this provision for vaccinated individuals, it will remain in effect for unvaccinated individuals if they have an approved exemption.
The University earlier announced that face coverings will continue to be required in classrooms and instructional settings for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Plastic shields are also in place in most classrooms for faculty to use. FDU has purchased an extensive amount of face coverings and these will be made available for community members shortly.
Once again, the new indoor masking requirement is effective immediately.
Special Measures for Unvaccinated Students, Faculty, and Staff
In addition, we are determined to implement appropriate safeguards for those persons who are not vaccinated. Our goal is to help protect the health and safety of all members of our community, including those persons who might not receive the vaccination because of a medical or religious exemption. As outlined above, everyone must wear a face mask while indoors. We also strongly encourage unvaccinated persons to wear a mask outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained.
To reiterate our existing policy: residential students who do not have an exemption must be vaccinated prior to their move-in date.
Thus far, approximately 85 percent of residential students and student-athletes have provided proof of vaccination, which we are very pleased about. However, the number of commuter students who have provided proof of vaccination is not as high yet, so we need all commuter students to upload their vaccination information as soon as possible.
We are mindful that commuter students may need additional time to become fully vaccinated. Therefore, for commuter students only, the University is extending the deadline for being fully vaccinated. Commuter students without an exemption must receive at least their first vaccination shot by the first day of classes on August 23, and, if a vaccine requiring a two-dose regimen is selected, they must receive their second vaccination shot by September 20. Please upload your vaccination record to Medicat as soon as your first shot is received. You can then update your record after your second shot.
Unvaccinated students who have an approved medical or religious exemption from the vaccine requirement will be subject to weekly PCR testing in order to be allowed on campus. (Other measures communicated to exempt students also will apply.)
In addition, COVID-19 surveillance testing will be in place this semester and will particularly focus on residential students and high-risk populations, including those participating in intercollegiate athletics, those not yet fully vaccinated, and those who have exemptions from the vaccine requirement. (Note: surveillance testing may include some fully vaccinated individuals depending on circumstances and conditions in our region.)
Faculty and Staff Vaccination Requirement
As noted earlier, due to the current challenges caused by the Delta variant, the University now requires faculty and staff who are assigned to be on campus to get vaccinated. Faculty and staff who have not yet been vaccinated must receive at least their first vaccination shot before the start of the semester on August 23 and their second shot by September 20. If you have not yet done so, please upload your proof of vaccination. If you selected a vaccine requiring a two-dose regimen, you can upload your vaccination record as soon as you receive your first shot. You can then update your record after your second shot.
As with students, a process to apply for medical and religious exemptions will be provided. Those who are granted exemptions will be subject to weekly PCR testing in order to be allowed on campus. Details regarding applying for exemptions will be forthcoming.
As the situation no doubt will evolve further, the University will continue to take important precautions to counter the spread of the virus and help keep everyone safe. At the same time, we are optimistic that these provisions will enable us to provide an exciting and in-person educational and extracurricular experience for all of our students.
Those students who have any questions about the policies referenced above should contact the Office of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@fdu.edu.
We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation, and we cannot wait to see you on campus!
Yours in FDU,
Christopher A. Capuano, Ph.D.
President
Links to Updates
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.