This update comes to you in hopes that you and your loved ones are well and continue to practice the health advisories that have been issued by the county, state and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
First, let me say that I am very proud of the way our students, faculty and staff have responded to the transition to remote operations and learning. Even as the College had no choice but to close, operate remotely and move classes to online instruction, everyone has been resourceful in ensuring that Bergen students receive the education they so desperately seek to earn.
Also, as we continue to watch stories and view photos of those on the front lines of the COVID-19 response, there’s a constant: first responders and healthcare workers. As we know, community colleges educate and train many of them – nurses, respiratory therapists, diagnostic medical sonographers, paramedics, law enforcement officers and firefighters just to name a few. We recognize the millions enlisted into this fight – especially those who study or teach at Bergen. We prepared you well, but nothing could prepare you for this. Your dedication inspires us all.
Bergen has done its part to support health professionals in this work, as well. We’ve had many of our colleagues and students serve as volunteers at the FEMA “drive through” testing facility on campus and other locations throughout the county and we thank you for your selfless and heroic acts during this trying time.
Additionally, thanks to the College’s Health Professions Integrated Teaching Center, the College nurse, buildings and grounds, public safety, science departments and other areas of the institution, we’ve assembled more than 134,000 pieces of critically needed personal protection equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks and nitrile gloves and donated them to Bergen County’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) for distribution to hospitals and other front-line healthcare operations.
We welcome the opportunity to stand at the center of this crisis as a facility opening its doors to our community. After all, it’s what we’ve done for more than 50 years.
And that’s why we’ll continue to offer our summer and fall 2020 semesters – it’s what we do! We educate! Registration opens online Wednesday, April 1.
Other Notes/Reminders
- All College locations remain closed until further notice. The return date to campus is subject to the evolution of COVID-19 and revised guidance. As such, it’s very important that you continue to monitor College communications.
- Classes will continue to be taught online for the remainder of the spring semester.
- All staff are to continue working remotely.
- All Spring 2020 on-campus events are cancelled and the College has suspended scheduling any new events.
- The College has begun to develop contingency plans regarding commencement 2020. We remain committed to celebrating the class of 2020 and have already discussed some creative solutions toward doing so.
- Students can explore the College’s remote resources via the Bergen Weekly or here.
- Visit here for resources on employee rights from the federal government.
I hope you have remained healthy during this global crisis. Please take care of yourself! And thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tony Ross
Interim President
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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