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From Dean Maurice Hall: COVID-19 Social Distancing FAQ

To the School of the Arts and Communication Community,

As you are aware, TCNJ is adopting the practice of social distancing in an effort to help slow the rate of transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Beginning the Monday following spring break and continuing for a period of two weeks, from Monday, March 23 through Sunday, April 5, TCNJ will require all students to remain at home and classes will meet virtually. All in-person academic activities, facilities, labs, and rooms within the School of the Arts and Communication will be temporarily suspended during that time.

I understand that many of you have concerns, but I hope the following FAQs will provide some clarity as we navigate through this uncertain time. Our Arts and Communication community is a creative one and I encourage everyone to work together to ensure the health, safety, and success of each member of our community.

How will classes be conducted?

All academic activities and classroom instruction will continue as scheduled on Canvas, the college’s online course-delivery platform, between Monday, March 23-Sunday, April 5. Students are expected to be in class online. All faculty will communicate online instruction plans, class meeting expectations, and assignments before spring break.

Please refer to Interim Provost Keep’s email communications on Wednesday, March 11 for more information regarding Online Course Delivery (Canvas), and Spring Withdrawal, Advising, and Registration for Fall Courses.

Will students be allowed on campus during this two week period? Will I have access to academic spaces and school equipment?

TCNJ will require all students to remain at home from Monday, March 23 through Sunday,  April 5. Please refer to President Foster’s recent communications with exceptions to this housing ban.

All academic spaces will be closed from Monday, March 23 through Sunday, April 5. Students will not have access to classrooms, studios, labs, practice rooms, etc. All college equipment must be returned on Friday, March 13 before spring break.

Students will not be able to use any on-campus resources for coursework. Faculty will adjust project expectations, provide alternative assignments, and reconfigure grading/assessment plans in order to ensure students complete course requirements.

Staff and student workers will not be required to work on campus during the online period, and students cannot be required to be on-campus for any activities.

What campus resources will be available?

Campus services — information technology support, facilities and maintenance, dining, and more — will remain fully operational from Monday, March 23 through Sunday, April 5.

Updates regarding the exact operating hours of dining locations and information on sick trays is available online.

Will campus events be held?

All planned events scheduled from Saturday, March 14-Sunday, April 5 through TCNJ’s School of the Arts and Communication and Center for the Arts are canceled. Ticket refunds will be issued.

Will I still be able to participate in a school field trip or attend a college-sponsored conference?

All domestic travel with the school, including field trips to off-site locations, is canceled during this two-week window (Monday, March 23-Sunday, April 5). No domestic travel to college-sponsored conferences will happen during this time. Please contact Kathleen Richardson in the Dean’s Office at richardk@tcnj.edu or your supervisor should you need to request reimbursement due to a trip cancellation.

What steps can I take to prevent the coronavirus from spreading?

The best way to prevent infection of 2019-nCoV or other viruses like seasonal flu is to avoid exposure. Individuals are strongly advised to take recommended precautions: Wash your hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds); resist touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and avoid contact with people who are sick. Those with flu-like symptoms and those who may have been in contact with someone who has or is suspected of having COVID-19 should take steps to protect themselves and others.

As TCNJ continues to actively monitor the situation around coronavirus (COVID-19), we will communicate additional changes as necessary. A community update for post-April 5 will be shared no later than March 31, and the TCNJ website will provide regular updates as the situation evolves. I encourage you to read earlier communications sent by President Foster and Interim Provost Keep. All student teachers in the Art Education and Music Education programs are instructed to refer to the School of Education Dean McCotter’s recent email.

We remain committed to serving the needs of all of our students, faculty and staff. If you have additional questions or if you will be negatively affected by any of these temporary changes, please reach out to me directly at hallmau@tcnj.edu and copy Assistant Dean Erica Kalinowski at ekalinow@tcnj.edu.

Thank you in advance for your flexibility and dedication to providing creative solutions in order to ensure the health and safety of our community.

Maurice L. Hall, PhD
Dean and Professor of Communication
School of the Arts and Communication

Contact

School of the Arts and Communication
Art and Interactive Multimedia Building
The College of New Jersey
P.O. Box 7718
2000 Pennington Rd.
Ewing, NJ 08628

609.771.2278

artscomm@tcnj.edu

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