As we continue to address COVID-19-related changes to the College’s operations, academics and personnel, today we will try to reiterate some key items while introducing some new information too:
Yesterday’s Key Announcements
- “Drive-through” testing will not begin at Bergen until announced by officials. No College personnel or buildings will be used as part of this event.
- Through Wednesday, March 18, faculty/staff who need to pick up belongings at any location may visit from 8 a.m. to noon each day. All other faculty/staff should not report to any location.
- The College will close beginning Wednesday, March 18 at noon to Friday, March 27 at 10:59 p.m.
- All on-campus classes at all Bergen locations are cancelled 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.
- Through Friday, March 27, all employees will work remotely from home. 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.
- No personal days or sick days will be assessed for employees during this time.
New Operations Announcements
- The Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre and Bergenstages have cancelled the remainder of their performance schedules.
- The spring season’s Bulldogs athletic schedule has been cancelled. Student-athletes should maintain this year of eligibility.
- The Paramus-Meadowlands shuttle is suspended.
- All campus events through Friday, March 27 are cancelled and the College has suspended scheduling any new events.
New Personnel Announcements
- Faculty/staff: when visiting the Paramus campus through Wednesday, March 18 to pick up belongings, please use the Pitkin Education Center student center doors across from West Hall.
- During this unprecedented time in our world, many have experienced considerable anxiety and stress. Any faculty or staff member experiencing these types of symptoms does not need to suffer in silence – please contact the College’s Employee Assistance Program through Magellan at 1-800-523-5668 or click here.
Communication Updates
- To date, the institution has sent 12 official statements through email, social media and Bergen.edu and participated in three Bergen County-organized news conferences.
- Dr. Tony Ross hosted a town hall forum; click here to watch it in its entirety. Additionally, click here to read a text transcript of questions submitted via Webex and here to read an FAQ document prepared in advance of the forum.
- PR organized for the Record to photograph the extremely dedicated buildings and grounds team who has worked to sanitize the campus. This also provides the community with some visuals of our action steps. We want to personally express my appreciation for our buildings and grounds team as well.
- While we refer to March 27 on several occasions, please know this date remains subject to change to a later date given the evolution of COVID-19 and directions from the county and state. It remains very important that you continue to monitor all communication from the College.
Thank you and continue to follow email, social media and Bergen.edu for the latest updates.
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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