Frequently Asked Questions
Return to In-Person Instruction
Q. When do classes start for the Fall semester?
The University currently plans to begin classes on September 1 as scheduled. Classes will be conducted both on-campus and in a hybrid form, with on-campus and online components.
Q. How will classes be set up? Will there be social distancing?
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.
Q. What if people don’t follow social distancing?
Everyone shares the responsibility to follow heath guidelines and protocols. Signs and reminders about social distancing will be placed around campus.
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.
Q. What if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens in New Jersey?
The University is continually monitoring all state and federal guidance regarding COVID-19. 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.
Return to Work
Q. When do Kean employees go back to work on campus?
Kean’s senior management team is returning this month. Other managers and staff will follow a phased-in return beginning in July. All Kean employees will get individual instructions for their planned return.
Q. Will there be staggered work hours?
Staggered arrival and departure times as well as staggered work schedules will be implemented using state and CDC guidance.
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 employee. Employees can also wear their own masks.
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.
Campus Life
Q. Will residence halls be open in Fall 2020?
Residential housing will be available on campus in the Fall, with capacity reduced to maintain social distancing. Students seeking campus housing should apply by July 1. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, space permitting.
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.
Health and Safety on Campus
Q. How is Kean making the return to campus safe?
Kean University’s top priority is to safeguard the health and safety of our campus community. Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should seek immediate medical attention and not return to campus until cleared by a healthcare professional.
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.
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, waiving late payment and registration fees and establishing flexible payment arrangements. 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
Summer 2020: Academics
Q: Is Kean holding classes on campus this summer?
No. Kean University is now conducting remote education at all campuses in accordance with the governor's executive order.
Q: How do I get technical support during the summer?
The Office of Computer and Information Services is ready to help. You can email support@kean.edu, call (908) 737-6000, or contact us via web chat here: http://keanu.beyondtrustcloud.com
Q: What if I don’t have access to a computer or the internet?
To provide greater accessibility, many internet providers are offering promotions to new and existing customers. For more detailed and accurate information, please contact your local internet providers.
- Verizon - https://www.verizon.com/about/news/covid-response-customers
- Xfinity - https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
- Optimum - https://www.optimum.com/coronavirus
- Spectrum - https://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/covid-19-internet-offer-students/
Students who are unable to access remote education because they do not have access to a computer should reach out to cls@kean.edu or complete the following form: https://forms.gle/4znuoXvofhSWLBoNA.
Q: What if I have a disability that prevents me from accessing remote education materials?
Kean University has a strong commitment to full inclusion and equal opportunity for all persons with disabilities. Anyone who needs assistance in accessing remote education materials due to a disability should contact the Office of Disability Services at (908) 737-4910 or email disabilityservices@kean.edu.
Q: Can I access the library and support services during the summer?
The University has launched a webpage with resources to assist you with remote education. Please take time to scroll through the entire page to review what is available.Tutoring, writing center, public speaking support and access to library resources will be available online at learningcommons.kean.edu. The Nancy Thompson Learning Commons will remain closed until further notice.
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.
Q. Can I still graduate on time?
The goal of this remote education initiative is to keep students on track to complete the full semester and graduate on time.
Q: What is the process for advisement for Summer and Fall 2020 classes?
The advisement period for Summer/Fall 2020 began the first week of April. A short video has been created, available here, that will provide more information on this process. This is the first time we will be conducting fully remote/virtual advisement. You should have received an email with information from your advisor or program coordinator about how to contact them to review your progress on your courses this semester, and to advise you on which courses to take in the summer and fall sessions.
Q: When can I register?
Students can register for Fall 2020 classes via KeanWISE.
Summer 2020 Registration Dates
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.
Summer 2020: Student Life
Q: Is the campus open this summer?
Only residents who have permission to remain on campus and essential personnel can access Kean facilities at this time.
Q. Can I continue to live on campus over the summer?
International students and those who have special permission to remain in the residence halls may continue living on campus.
Q. Will there be a reimbursement for tuition from Spring or Summer 2020?
Kean University continues to monitor the latest developments involving the coronavirus and to follow the state and federal prevention guidelines and protocols. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order No. 104 on March 16, 2020, which directed all institutions of higher education to cease in-person instruction effective March 18, 2020. As a result, Kean began providing students with remote instruction and arranged for all courses to be delivered through remote channels so students remain on track and meet their graduation requirements. While we understand this situation is disruptive for students and the University community, faculty and staff remain committed to providing students a world-class education whether in-person or online.
The University will not be providing tuition/fee reimbursement or prorating tuition/fees for the Spring or Summer semesters following the shift to remote education as a result of COVID-19. The University has provided a number of resources for students to participate in remote education. Please view the resources here and follow up if we can assist you further. We are here to help.
Q. Is Student Health Services open this summer?
Student Health Services will be operating via a remote telehealth model during the summer. All students can consult with the staff regarding health care concerns, immunizations, or general questions about COVID-19 by calling (908) 737-4880.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, a clinician will be on call for those students who remain on campus. Contact the RHD on duty and they will contact the clinician. Those who live off campus should contact their providers or local urgent care. For emergencies, call 911.
Q: Can I be tested for COVID-19 on campus?
If you live in Union County, you can make an appointment at the county’s mobile testing facility in the Vaughn-Eames parking lot at Kean.
Q: This virus is making me feel anxious. Are counseling services available?
It’s normal to feel stress and anxiety about this kind of situation. Students may contact the Counseling Center at (908) 737-4850 to request assistance. Employees are reminded that they have access to the Employee Assistance Program.
Q: Are D’Angola Gym and the University’s pool open?
No.
Q: With tensions running high, what should I do if I am bullied or harassed?
Kean University takes pride in its diverse and inclusive culture and reminds everyone that there is a no-tolerance policy on bullying, online or in person. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@kean.edu for assistance.
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.