Return to Campus

As New Jersey continues its phased reopening, the leaders of Kean University are working diligently to implement a smooth and safe return to campus in Fall 2020. 

Kean's senior management returned to campus on Monday, July 13. The remainder of full-time, 12-month employees returned to campus with staggered schedules, beginning Monday, August 3.

Restart Plan

Return to Campus Survey

The President’s Task Force, which includes staff, faculty and students, is looking at all aspects of campus life—from classes to residence halls, athletics, offices and more—along with CDC and state guidelines to determine the safest path forward as we look to welcome students, faculty and administrators back to an on-campus living and learning environment.

Although plans are subject to change due to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to begin preparing all employees, faculty and students for their return to campus. Below you will find some general information on our current strategies. 

Please visit this page often for updates. 

Return to In-Person Instruction

Return to Work 

Campus Life

Health & Safety

Financial Support 

• The Fall semester will begin on September 1 as scheduled with remote learning through Blackboard for all students and continue that way for the first three weeks of the semester.
• On Monday, September 21, the University will enter a face-to-face and hybrid phase that will add on-campus instruction to approximately 30 percent of courses.
• When the University breaks for Thanksgiving on November 25, all courses will return entirely to remote learning until the end of the semester.
• In August, the University will identify the courses that will be offered in face-to-face or hybrid formats as well as those that will remain entirely remote for the duration of the semester so students can review and complete their registration. 
• Face-to-face courses will be delivered mostly on campus with some resources augmented by Blackboard.
• Hybrid courses will alternate between face-to-face meetings and online sessions. Kean Online courses will not be impacted by these plans. 
• In-person classes will be conducted in accordance with social distancing guidelines. That means faculty and students will be required to wear face masks/face coverings and will be properly distanced within classrooms or labs. 
• The add/drop deadline will fall within the initial three-week remote period of learning, which means students will have the chance to assess which courses they feel comfortable – or uncomfortable – pursuing in a remote environment before finalizing their schedules.
• The remote period will also allow faculty to directly interact with their students and identify strategies and protocols for the in-person instruction that begins for face-to-face and hybrid courses on September 21. 
• Campus spaces, including classrooms and labs, are being evaluated to provide for proper social distancing. 
• Signage and markers will be placed throughout campus to remind the community of social distancing requirements. 
• A washable mask will be provided for each student who needs one prior to the start of classes. Details on how to receive your mask will be provided closer to opening day. Students can also use their own masks. 
• All faculty members have been informed of the mandatory requirement to prepare for providing instruction remotely via Blackboard should it become necessary to shift to remote education because of changing health conditions.

Blackboard Resources

• Kean's senior management returned to campus on July 13. Essential workers were already reporting to work onsite.
• The remainder of full-time, 12-month employees returned in staggered schedules beginning on August 3.
• All employees are required to complete this safety training before returning to campus.
• All employees are REQUIRED to complete a health screening using the CampusClear mobile app every day that they are on campus. Employees should download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play before they return to campus and complete it each day.
• Employees need to show a “Good to Go” message from the app to their supervisor before entering their workspace each day.
• CampusClear is not intended to be a source of medical advice. Please consult a medical professional about any symptoms or other health-related concerns. The University will use the app solely to collect information about you related to COVID-19 and possible contact tracing. By downloading, installing, using and providing this information in the CampusClear App, you are consenting to all action taken by the University with respect to your information as set forth above and in the Mobile Application Privacy Policy. Your information will only be accessed by confidential employees of the University.
• Staff and faculty—including 10-month faculty, 12-month faculty and adjuncts—who need a special telecommuting accommodation due to specific health or childcare issues must fill out this request form for review. You must submit the appropriate medical certification or documentation verifying school or childcare closing within five business days of submitting your request. You will be asked to specify whether your request is for July and August, and/or the Fall semester.
• Employees may also request a health exemption if they reside with someone who is at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 as identified by CDC guidelines. To make this request, employees must fill out this request form for review.
• We recognize that many employees are waiting for more information from their children's schools or childcare providers regarding the Fall schedule. You may fill out the form at a later date or edit your submission if your circumstances change. Please notify Human Resources and your direct supervisor of any changes as soon as possible to facilitate effective planning.
• Please note that anyone who submitted a request for telecommuting due to medical concerns in the Spring semester must do so again if an accommodation is requested for the summer and/or the Fall semester.
• Human Resources will work with employees and their supervisors to find effective accommodations within Kean workspaces as well as develop productive temporary telecommuting arrangements where possible. Requests are not guaranteed. Assigned duties may vary from employees’ typical job responsibilities to ensure we continue serving our students effectively during this time.
• Kean employees and any vendors or contractors working on campus will be expected to wear face masks/face coverings when in the presence of others. 
• Masks will be distributed in workspaces. Employees can also obtain a washable face mask by contacting Kean’s Environmental Safety Officer, Suzanne Kupiec at skupiec@kean.edu. Employees can also wear their own masks on campus.
• Workspaces across the University may be rearranged, and/or new dividers and staging put in place, to provide for proper social distancing in accordance with state and CDC guidelines.

• Residential housing will be available for students who wish to live on campus in the Fall. Capacity will be reduced to maintain social distancing.
• The three-week remote period will not impact move-in plans for residential students, who are scheduled to return to living on campus at the end of August.
• Some communal spaces within the residence halls may be closed to limit exposure.
• Dining services will be available to students with enhanced mobile ordering and additional take-out options as well as social distancing in the dining facilities. 
• Student services and programming will be available to the extent that they can be safely conducted under state guidelines. More information will follow as the Fall approaches.

• The University’s top priority is to safeguard the health and safety of the campus community. 
• Everyone shares the responsibility to follow heath guidelines and protocols. 
• Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should seek immediate medical attention and not return to campus until they are cleared by a healthcare provider.
• There will be several noticeable physical changes to campus upon reopening, including plexiglass dividers and designated spots for distancing while waiting in lines.
• Signage will be posted throughout the campus to remind the community of health protocols.
• The University has also established enhanced cleaning, sanitation and disinfecting campuswide.
• Student Health Services is working closely with local health officials to establish tracing protocols in the event of cases on campus.

• The University recognizes that COVID-19 has placed tremendous financial strain on families and is waiving the Fall payment plan enrollment fee. Contact billing@kean.edu for assistance.
• Financial Aid staff are also reviewing FAFSA submissions for any students who have experienced COVID-related job or income loss in their families. Contact finaid@kean.edu for assistance.
• Students who were impacted by COVID-19 are also reminded that they can apply for a  CARES Act grant. More information can be found here.