FAQ
Q. Are classes continuing to meet in person?
Winter session courses will be conducted as scheduled. A majority of Winter session classes are scheduled to be virtual; those scheduled in person will continue in person. Spring semester classes will begin as scheduled on January 18 and will be conducted virtually for two weeks until in-person classes resume on January 31. Students in clinical assignments will continue with those assignments as planned.
Q. Are residence halls open? Will dining services be available?
Residence halls will open as scheduled on Saturday, January 15, and residents can participate in virtual classes from their rooms or other locations on campus, such as the Miron Student Center, Nancy Thompson Learning Commons or campus computer labs. Commuters are also welcome in those campus spaces. Dining services will be available.
Q. Should employees come to campus during this virtual period?
Most employees will work remotely from December 23, 2021, until January 31, 2022. Some employees will be transitioned to cohort work schedules to ensure our students continue to have in-person access to key services. Supervisors will notify employees of their assignments.
To prepare to work remotely, employees should gather whatever materials they need from the office from now through Wednesday, December 22. Remote work begins on Thursday, December 23.
For the holiday break, employees will observe Friday, December 24, 2021 and Friday, December 31, 2021 as paid State holidays. Most employees will use vacation or comp time from Monday, December 27 to Thursday, December 30. Non-essential employees who are approved to work during this time will do so remotely.
Beginning on January 3, employees who are not instructed to report to campus should work remotely and will only be permitted on campus with the permission of their vice president. Employees should consult their supervisors with any questions.
Q. Should I get a COVID-19 booster shot?
The University is strongly encouraging all members of the Kean community to get a COVID-19 booster shot as soon as possible and before returning to campus on January 31. With the rise of the Omicron variant, it’s clear that booster shots provide the best protection against serious illness and can help stem the spread of COVID-19.
Students, faculty and staff can make appointments for booster shots at locations across the state as well as at Union County's vaccination site in Downs Hall on the main campus. Anyone who is not vaccinated can also begin a vaccination series at those locations. Additional appointments are added regularly.
Q. Do I have to be vaccinated to attend in-person classes or campus activities?
Yes. All students must be fully vaccinated with the two-dose Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine to access any Kean University building or classroom unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption. Students must submit their vaccination records through the PyraMED Patient Portal. Submission instructions are available here.
In addition, all managerial staff, academic specialists, and employees aligned with the KFT and adjunct faculty unions must be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption. Employees should submit their vaccination status via Workday. Submission instructions are available here.
Q. I have an approved medical or religious vaccination exemption. Are there special rules I must follow?
Students who receive medical or religious exemptions to the vaccination requirement must be tested for COVID-19 weekly during the semester. Testing is free of charge and available on campus.
The testing schedule will be shared with unvaccinated students directly. Testing is mandatory. Anyone who does not comply will be subject to disciplinary action under the Kean COVID-19 Community Standards Policy for Students.
Q. Do I have to wear a mask?
Effective September 1, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is required to wear masks inside all Kean buildings and classrooms. The only exceptions are when an individual is in a private space, such as a residence hall room or office, or when eating or drinking. Mask regulations are subject to change pending state, federal and University guidelines.
Q. What if I don’t have a mask?
Masks are available at the front desk of Kean Hall or Miron Student Center as well as in vending machines across campus.
Employees can obtain a washable face mask by contacting Kean’s Environmental Safety Officer, Suzanne Kupiec, at skupiec@kean.edu.
Q. What else should I do to help stop the spread of the virus?
Wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitizer stations throughout campus if hand washing is not possible.
Q. What if I don’t feel well?
Students who commute and are feeling sick should not come to campus and should consult their healthcare provider for assistance. Students who live on campus and are feeling sick should remain in their residence hall rooms and contact their resident assistant or residence hall director for support.
Employees experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness should use available sick leave as they normally would.
Q. I tested positive for COVID-19, what should I do?
Students should report a positive COVID-19 test by using this form. Students with questions may contact Student Health Services at (908) 737-4880 or studenthealthservices@kean.edu for guidance and support.
Any employee who tests positive for COVID-19 should report their result to Walter McGee in Human Resources by email to mcgeew@kean.edu.
Q. What happens if cases occur on campus?
Kean University is working closely with local health officials and will follow state and federal contact tracing guidelines and protocols in the event of cases on campus.
Q. What happens if a student violates the health and safety protocols on campus?
A: Students would be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Kean University COVID-19 Community Standards Policy for Students.
https://www.kean.edu/media/2021-2022-covid-19-policy-students
Q. I ride public transportation, what can I do to keep myself and others safe?
Students, faculty and staff who use public transportation should take extra precautions with regard to hand hygiene and remember to wear a face covering and bring hand sanitizer. Limit touching frequently touched surfaces. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer upon arrival to campus.
Q. Is the University taking other steps to improve safety?
There are several noticeable physical changes to campus, including plexiglass dividers and designated spots for distancing while waiting in lines. Enhanced cleaning, sanitation and disinfecting will continue campuswide using CDC-recommended and OSHA-approved disinfectants.