Frequently Asked Questions
Return to In-Person Instruction
Q. When do classes start for the Fall and Spring semesters? Are classes remote?
The University began classes on September 1 as scheduled. Under the Climb Higher plan prepared by Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., remote learning, through Blackboard, took place for the first three weeks of the semester. On Monday, September 21, the University entered a face-to-face and hybrid phase, adding on-campus instruction to approximately 22 percent of courses. On November 23, all courses will return entirely to remote learning until the end of the semester.
President Repollet has announced that the University will extend remote and hybrid learning for the Spring 2021 semester. The Spring semester will begin as scheduled on Tuesday, January 19, and all classes will be delivered remotely for the first four weeks of the semester. On February 16, the University will enter a face-to-face and hybrid phase that will add on-campus instruction to approximately 20 percent of courses. The University will not have a Spring Break in 2021; classes will continue uninterrupted until the semester ends on May 5, a week earlier than previously scheduled.
Q. Which classes will be held face-to-face?
The University has identified courses that will be offered in a face-to-face or hybrid format starting on September 21, as well as those that will remain entirely remote. Students can access this information via KeanWISE.
Q. How will face-to-face courses work? What are hybrid courses?
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.
Q. Why are we doing this?
This holistic approach toward our course offerings respects the diversity of our learners and the unique circumstances of our faculty.
Q. What if I can’t adjust to remote learning?
The add/drop deadline falls within the three-week remote period of learning, so students will be able to assess which courses they feel comfortable – or uncomfortable – with before finalizing their schedules. The remote period will also let faculty directly interact with their students and identify strategies and protocols for in-person instruction that will begin for face-to-face and hybrid courses.
Q. What about labs and studio courses?
The Office of Academic Affairs is prioritizing labs, studios, research and clinical courses for the face-to-face and hybrid structures.
Q. I’m an incoming freshman. Will I have in-person classes?
Kean is committed to offering all first-year students the opportunity to register for face-to-face courses introducing them to the college experience and student resources. This includes the Transition to Kean class and other entry-level general education courses. The University is also committed to ensuring that students who struggle to learn in the digital environment, due to learning or access issues, have the chance to register for face-to-face courses.
Q. Will there be social distancing for in-person classes?
In-person classes will follow social distancing guidelines. That means faculty and students must wear face masks or face coverings. Campus spaces, including classrooms and labs, are being evaluated to provide for proper social distancing. Signs and reminders about social distancing will be placed around campus.
Q. Is there any training for students related to COVID-19 safety?
All students should have taken the Cougars Care Pledge and received training on safety measures and protocols established by the University.
Q. What student conduct rules apply during classes?
Student conduct online and in-person, including concerns such as harassment or other behavior online, is governed by Kean's Student Code of Conduct. The full policy may be found here. Anyone wishing to report a concern may use this link .
Q. What if I have more questions about registration?
We have implemented an advisement site known as the CRM Advise Student Experience. You can log into this site by selecting “Student Experience” in the “QuickLinks” dropdown menu on the Kean homepage, or by visiting bit.ly/KeanStudentExperience. Click here to view a brief tutorial on how to utilize the site. Use your Kean email username and password to log into this site.
The Student Experience will allow you to raise alerts, ask questions, see the members of your success team and see your advisor’s virtual advisement office hours (currently not all advisors will use this function). If you are struggling, please raise an alert for yourself through the Student Experience so that we are aware and will have staff from the appropriate offices reach out to assist you. For help with the Advise Student Experience, please contact Gilly Scott at gscott@kean.edu in the Office of Student Success and Retention.
Please email your advisor, program coordinator, school executive director or college dean if you need additional support.
Q: I'm a faculty member. How can I support my students?
The Office of Student Success and Retention continues to provide the campus community with the tools needed to support student success. We are encouraging all faculty and staff to use Ellucian CRM Advise to access need-to-know student information, enter advisement notes, refer students to remote support services, and maintain open communication channels through intentionally designed outreach efforts. As a cloud-based tool, Advise is accessible from any device using your Kean email and password.
Advisor Experience (dashboard for advisors and staff)
Faculty Experience (dashboard for instructors)
For information on how to navigate Advise, please access task-oriented video tutorials and step-by-step instructions here through our Advise user support website. Note: you must be logged into your kean.edu email to gain access to the site.
Please contact Gilly Scott, assistant director of academic technology, with any questions related to Advise at gscott@kean.edu.
Q: What should I do if I can't access my textbooks?
To assist students with remote learning due to the coronavirus outbreak, Barnes & Noble and VitalSource are offering free access to eTextbooks. For more information on the publishers supporting the effort and for login information, click here.
Q: What if I need to submit a form to the Registrar’s Office or the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship Services?
All forms can be submitted electronically to the appropriate office during this time. Email the Registrar’s Office at regme@kean.edu and the Financial Aid & Scholarship Services Office at finaid@kean.edu for details. The Office of the Registrar provides many services to students, faculty and staff, including graduation evaluation, name change request, and residency change. For more information about these services, please visit our webpage.
Q. What if I don’t have a mask?
All students and employees who need a mask will be given one. Details will be provided closer to the return to campus. Everyone is also welcome to bring their own masks to campus.
Return to Work
Q. What if the Campus Clear app clears me to go to work, but I still feel don't feel well?
If #CampusClear clears you for work, but you are feeling ill, we encourage you to stay home. Please contact your supervisor to discuss the situation and to determine if you will work remotely. If your symptoms persist beyond 2 days, we encourage you to call your primary care physician for further guidance. If your doctor advises additional steps based on potential exposure, types of symptoms, etc., you will need to contact Human Resources to discuss your individual situation.
Q. What should I do if the Campus Clear app tells me to stay home?
If #CampusClear does not clear you for work, please contact your supervisor to inform them of your absence and call Human Resources for further discussion and guidance.
Q. How do I reach Human Resources if I have a COVID question or need to follow up?
All COVID communications for Human Resources should be directed to Walter McGee at mcgeew@kean.edu or (908) 737-3316.
Q. When do Kean employees go back to work on campus?
Kean’s senior management team returned in July. Other managers and staff began following a phased-in return beginning August 3. All Kean employees received individual instructions for their planned return. Beginning November 23, a week earlier than originally scheduled, most Kean employees will return to remote work. The remote work period is scheduled to end on February 1, when most employees will return to the cohort work schedule.
Q. What is the cohort work schedule? Will there be staggered work hours?
Staggered arrival and departure times as well as staggered work schedules are being implemented using state and CDC guidance. Administrative and professional staff have been assigned to a cohort. One cohort will work on campus Mondays and Tuesdays while working remotely the remainder of the week. The second cohort will work on campus Thursdays and Fridays while working remotely during the early part of the week. Neither cohort will work on campus on Wednesdays to allow for deep cleaning. Employees are not permitted to come to campus on days other than their assigned days.
Q. What about staff who are working remotely?
Those who have been granted temporary telecommuting arrangements will continue to work remotely, and may not report to campus.
Q. Do employees have to take part in a health screening before reporting to campus?
Yes. 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.
Q. Do employees have to wear masks? Will Kean provide them?
Kean employees and any vendors or contractors working on campus will need to wear face masks or face coverings when in the presence of others. A washable mask will be provided to each employees. 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.
Q. Is social distancing required?
Yes. Workspaces may be rearranged, and/or new dividers put in place, to provide social distancing in accordance with state and CDC guidelines.
Q. Can employees request special accomodations or exemptions?
Staff and faculty 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.
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. You may fill out the form at a later date or edit your submission if your circumstances change.
Q. Can visitors and vendors come to campus?
Non-essential visitors, vendors and contractors are NOT allowed on campus until further notice, and faculty and staff must conduct business with them remotely whenever possible.
Q. What if it is necessary to have an in-person meeting with a vendor or other visitor?
If such a meeting is essential, prior approval of the AVP or VP of the Department must be obtained in writing. In addition, the Department of Public Safety/Police is keeping a log of all visitors to campus and must be notified in advance of the visit. Contact kupolice@kean.edu to schedule visitor(s) and provide your name and department; date, time, and location where the visitor will be on campus; and company, name of visitor, and contact information for visitor, including address, phone number and email. This information will be used for contact tracing purposes in the event of a coronavirus outbreak on campus. All visitors should report to the KUPD security officer at the Kean Hall welcome desk upon arrival during business hours.
Q. Do visitors require a health screening to come to campus?
Yes. All visitors, vendors and contractors must download the #CampusClear App and perform a self-health screening prior to arrival each day. For further information on the visitor policy, visit visitor policy
Campus Life
Q. Will residence halls be open in Fall 2020?
The three-week period of remote instruction will not impact move-in plans for residential students, who are scheduled to return to living on campus at the end of August.
Q. Will residence halls look the same? Will dining halls be open?
Some communal spaces in residence halls may be closed. 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.
Q. Will student activities and programs be held?
Student services and programming will be available to the extent they can be safely provided under state guidelines. More information will follow as Fall approaches.
Q. Can I still get tutoring services? What about other academic support?
Yes. Through Nancy Thompson Learning Commons, Writing, Public Speaking, and Tutoring services are available virtually (by appointment) Sunday through Saturday as well as the Blackboard LEARN module for General Education courses and for students involved in research projects and scholarly works. Video and instructional information is accessible at learningcommons.kean.edu and includes the much used 24/7 online chat service and an FAQ. NTLC collections of digital databases, peer reviewed journals, research guides, and e-books remain accessible on campus and off (with Kean ID).
Q. Is the Learning Commons open? Can I study there?
Access to the building is restricted according to COVID-19 capacity limits and staff schedules during the Fall semester. To enter the building, a valid Kean ID is required as well as the wearing of a mask and maintaining social distancing. COVID-19 guidelines do not allow food or drink in the building. The NTLC building will be open for use Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Q. Can I reserve a study room?
Yes. Students can make online advance reservations for four private study pods, eight private study cubicles, and 10 private study rooms. Over 40 computers across three floors and two quiet study areas (Rooms 116 and 208 beside the Grand Study Hall) are also available for use without a reservation. Room 115 is set aside for studying and computer-use purposes for those considered at high-risk.
Health and Safety on Campus
Q. How is Kean making the return to campus safe? Is there COVID-19 testing?
The University is in the process of finalizing the next phase of its Return to Campus plan, which will include COVID-19 testing requirements for residential students and on-campus employees, as well as an enhanced contact tracing initiative in coordination with Union County. An addendum has also been implemented within the Student Code of Conduct to reflect the commitment made by students, under the Cougar Care Pledge, to follow safety measures and protocols set by the University. It also sets forth the sanctions that may result from the failure to abide by the COVID-19 protocols. Please review the COVID-19 Community Standards Policy for Students.
Q. Is the University taking other steps to improve safety?
There will be several noticeable physical changes to campus, including plexiglass dividers and designated spots for distancing while waiting in lines. Enhanced cleaning, sanitation and disinfecting will be in place campuswide.
Q. What happens if cases occur on campus?
Student Health Services is working closely with local health officials to establish tracing protocols in the event of cases on campus.
Q. Is anything else taking place?
The president has directed Kean’s Presidential Task Force to create working groups to facilitate additional feedback on the University’s reopening plan that will be submitted to the state of New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
Financial Support
Q. Is Kean taking steps to help students financially?
The University recognizes that COVID-19 has caused tremendous financial strain for families. To help, Kean is offering no-fee payment plans. Contact billing@kean.edu for assistance.
Q. Is any more financial aid available?
Financial Aid staff are reviewing FAFSA submissions for any students who have experienced COVID-related job or income loss in their families. Contact finaid@kean.edu for assistance. In addition, students impacted by COVID-19 can apply for a CARES Act grant. More information can be found here.
Q. Where do I get more information about returning to campus?
The University will continue to share more information on reopening as the work continues through the summer and beyond. Visit Kean’s Return to Campus website for more information.
COVID-19
Q: What is the status of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19?
The coronavirus outbreak has been labeled a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to monitor the spread of the virus within the United States.
Q: What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is a disease that has become widespread around the world.
Q: Are there any cases in the Kean community?
There have been confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Kean community, and announcements have gone out across the University. We will continue to update the University community with important information, when applicable.
Q: Should I let the University know if I have COVID-19 symptoms or have been tested?
Yes. If you are a student or have knowledge of a student who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, is currently being tested or has been tested for COVID-19, you are asked to fill out this Student Reporting Tool. All reports will be kept confidential.
If you are an employee who is experiencing symptoms, is currently being tested or has been tested for COVID-19, you are asked to contact Yrelys Tapanes in the Office of Human Resources at (908) 737-3313 or ytapanes@kean.edu.
Q: What happens if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Kean community?
The University is working with health officials, who will contact the appropriate individuals for follow up as needed.
Q: Am I at risk?
This is a rapidly evolving situation and the risk assessment may change daily. The latest updates are available on CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) website and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) website.
Q: What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The symptoms appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness of breath — consistent with a respiratory illness. Symptoms vary from mild to severe.
Q: How does the virus spread?
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person between individuals who are within about 6 feet of one another and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Q: What is the treatment?
There is no specific treatment for this virus other than supportive care as needed.
Q: What should I do if I think I have been exposed and/or I am experiencing symptoms?
If you are a student and have questions about COVID-19 and your own health, please contact your healthcare provider or Student Health Services at (908) 737-4880 or hsnurses@kean.edu.
If you are an employee and have questions about COVID-19 and your own health, please contact your healthcare provider. You may also consult the Office of Human Resources at (908) 737-3300 or hr@kean.edu.
The New Jersey Department of Health has also established a 24-hour telephone hotline for residents who have concerns or questions: (800) 222-1222.
If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19, you can also use a new self-assessment tool that has been developed by the State of New Jersey to determine what actions you can take to protect you and your loved ones’ health and help determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19. The tool can be found here: https://self.covid19.nj.gov/
If you live in Union County, you can request an appointment for testing at the county’s mobile testing facility in the Vaughn-Eames parking lot at Kean.
Do NOT go to a medical facility without first calling ahead to let them know you are coming.
Q: What should I do to protect myself from contracting COVID-19?
Public health officials recommend:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60-95 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands after using any communal touch screens.
- Cover your nose/mouth when sneezing or coughing.
- Dispose of tissues immediately
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover on campus and when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
Visit the CDC coronavirus page for more information:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
Admissions
Q: Can I still visit Kean’s campus?
Instant decision appointments and tours are available virtually during this period. You can find more details at the Visit section of our website. We invite you to view Kean’s campus tour video and the virtual tour of campus here, and encourage seniors to apply now or make a virtual instant decision appointment during which you’ll videoconference with a Kean admissions counselor.
Q: How do I submit materials to Admissions?
All documents can be submitted electronically. You can contact our Admissions staff via email at admitme@kean.edu or by phone at (908) 737-7100 for details.
Q: How can I submit information for Financial Aid?
Email Erica Avington at eavingto@kean.edu for assistance.