Yesterday, we learned through the media that New Jersey officials planned to use Bergen Community College’s parking lot “C” at the main campus as a “drive-through” test site for COVID-19 examinations. Though this came as a surprise to the institution, we understand the rationale for taking this action and embrace our role as a community center. Please note, no College personnel or buildings will be used as part of this event. “Drive-through” testing will not begin at Bergen until later this week.
Operating Status
- From Monday, March 16 through Wednesday, March 18, faculty/staff who need to pick up their belongings at any location may visit campus from 8 a.m. to noon each day. All other faculty/staff should not report to any location – including those in Paramus, Lyndhurst or Hackensack.
- In light of this decision – and in the interest of protecting our students, faculty and staff – we must begin to close College operations.
- The College will close beginning Wednesday, March 18 at noon to Friday, March 27 at 10:59 p.m. No one will be permitted to visit any College location except for the executive team, or designees they assign. We will continue to reassess our reopening date as conditions evolve.
Remote Learning Begins
- Additionally, we have taken formal action today to cancel all on-campus classes at all Bergen locations for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. Classes will take place remotely/online beginning Monday, March 23. Faculty will communicate with their students regarding their planned individual delivery of courses.
- We did not arrive at this decision lightly and considered many variables – including some students’ limited access to the Internet at home – but, given the evolution of COVID-19, we must take steps to ensure our academic continuity.
- In addition to testing our remote learning/business capabilities throughout the past few weeks, the College has surveyed its student population to assess the availability of technology resources at their homes. We will continue to review these results and craft appropriate strategies to address these issues as they arise.
College Personnel
- From Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 27 all employees will work remotely from home. Information technology will provide directions, FAQs and training on working remotely for faculty and staff this week.
- Supervisors will determine action plans for departmental work responsibilities and discuss with their staff members.
- All College personnel, including part-time, temporary and student staff will continue to be compensated. The College will release additional details shortly.
- No personal days or sick days will be assessed for employees during this time.
- Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Brock Fisher and deans will continue to communicate regarding the online delivery of classes. Faculty with laboratory or physical resource concerns should contact their chairs to make arrangements.
Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.
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