FAQ

Symptoms of the virus are similar to those of a respiratory illness: fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell. General treatment for this virus is supportive care as needed.

Prevention of infection is key. Public health officials and medical experts believe vaccination is an important step in helping to prevent or lessen the effects of this illness and its potentially devastating consequences. COVID-19 can be a mild illness in some or lead to severe disease or even death in previously healthy people. Additionally, long-term complications of COVID-19 remain unknown. Many treatments and medications are being studied, but there is currently no cure.

Student Health Centers can provide health care services for current students. Please call the health centers on your campus. Students may contact Rutgers Student Health to make an appointment:

• Rutgers–New Brunswick
  • Call 848-932-7402
  • Locations and hours can be found at health.rutgers.edu/locations.
  • Make an appointment online via our Patient Portal (requires NetID)
  • Local Hospitals
    • Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital: 732-828-3000
    • St. Peter’s University Hospital: 732-745-8600
• Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
  • Newark: 973-972-8219
  • New Brunswick: 732-235-5160
• Rutgers–Newark
  • Call 973-353-5232
  • Visit Blumenthal Hall, Room 104
  • Email stuhlth@newark.rutgers.edu
• Rutgers–Camden
  • Call 856-225-6005
  • Visit the Campus Center, second floor

Employees and students who test positive for COVID-19 and are physically on campus or in Rutgers facilities should contact Occupational Health and Student Health directly to report the case and seek guidance.

Rutgers Student Health offices by location:

• Rutgers–New Brunswick
  • Call 848-932-7402
  • Locations and hours can be found at health.rutgers.edu/locations.
  • Make an appointment online via our Patient Portal (requires NetID)
  • Local Hospitals
    • Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital: 732-828-3000
    • St. Peter’s University Hospital: 732-745-8600
• Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
  • Newark: 973-972-8219
  • New Brunswick: 732-235-5160
• Rutgers–Newark
  • Call 973-353-5232
  • Visit Blumenthal Hall, Room 104
  • Email stuhlth@newark.rutgers.edu
• Rutgers–Camden
  • Call 856-225-6005
  • Visit the Campus Center, second floor

Rutgers Occupational Health offices by location:

• Rutgers University: New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden: 848-932-8254
• Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Newark: 973-972-2900
• RBHS New Brunswick/Piscataway: 848-445-0123 ext. 2
• Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Faculty and Staff: 732-235-6559

Rutgers offers SARS-CoV-2 PCR saliva testing (for the active virus that leads to COVID-19) to unvaccinated employees and students who are working and learning on campus. View up-to-date testing requirements and guidance by visiting the Rutgers testing strategy webpage.

 

You should isolate.
If you were tested outside of Rutgers, please upload your test results to https://rtr.ipo.rutgers.edu/questionnaire. If you were tested through Rutgers testing program you will be contacted by a Student Health administrator and provided guidance.
If you need further guidance or medical care, please contact your appropriate Student Health office (see below).

Camden: 856-225-6005

Newark: 973-353-5232

New Brunswick: 848-932-7402

RBHS – Newark: 973-972-8219

RBHS – New Brunswick/Piscataway: 732-235-5160

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 (please see CDC exposure definition), you should wear a mask and monitor your symptoms for 14 days. You should perform a COVID-19 PCR test about 5 days after your last exposure. You must be vigilant about proper mask wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing. If you remain asymptomatic, you may participate in campus activities where you can remain masked, and may pick up food from the dining halls but may not eat there in person.

If you develop symptoms, you should isolate, stay off-campus, and refrain from going to classes and accessing public spaces on- and off-campus such as student centers, dining halls, computer labs, recreation centers, gyms, restaurants, and other public places.

First, you should isolate. If you were tested outside of Rutgers, please upload your test results to https://rtr.ipo.rutgers.edu/questionnaire. If you were tested through Rutgers testing program you will be contacted proactively by a Student Health administrator and provided guidance. If you need further guidance or medical care, please contact your appropriate Student Health office (see below).

Camden: 856-225-6005

Newark: 973-353-5232

New Brunswick: 848-932-7402

RBHS – Newark: 973-972-8219

RBHS – New Brunswick/Piscataway: 732-235-5160

It’s normal to want to warn people around you, but please be mindful that COVID-19 exposure may cause significant anxiety in others, so please make sure you use appropriate definitions for exposure. Rutgers Contact Tracers and Student Health will help work out who you may have exposed (please see CDC exposure definition).

Rutgers has developed two apps that are ready for use by Rutgers faculty, staff, and students: the My Campus Pass and the Rutgers Visitors Log. These apps are intended to support the health and safety of all members of the Rutgers community. For help with technical issues please contact OIT directly at 833-OIT-HELP or help@oit.rutgers.edu.

My Campus Pass is a self-screening app that may be used by employees and students each day when traveling to campus or entering a Rutgers building. The app may also be used to screen yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 even if you are not on campus.

To access My Campus Pass, log into my.rutgers.edu. Once you log in, the My Campus Pass window will be visible. Click on the “Get My Campus Pass” button, which will take you to the symptom survey for completion. You will also be asked to include any Rutgers building you plan to enter that day. Once you submit your survey, you will receive an immediate notification as to whether you’ve been cleared for entry.

The Rutgers Visitors Log app is available by logging into http://visitorlog.rutgers.edu. This platform replaces any paper logs or other systems that may currently be in use, and the contact tracing data will be retained for 30 days. Anyone with an active NetID can enter a guest through the system.

 

 

The CDC always recommends a yearly flu shot as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses, but this year, getting your flu shot is more important than ever. Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will reduce the burden of flu illnesses and hospitalizations on the health care system and conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19. That is why we urge all of you to take advantage of the many opportunities to get your flu shot.

Flu shots are available at local pharmacies and through your primary care provider. Please visit the State of New Jersey’s flu webpage to find a vaccine provider near you.

Students
The Rutgers Student Immunizations and Health Requirements policy (10.3.13) requires students who work directly with patients, or who handle material that could spread infection, to have a flu vaccination.

Students with a valid RU ID can obtain flu shots at Student Health. Contact your student health office to schedule an appointment for vaccination (see listings below). For more information, read the October 12, 2020 communication.

To make an appointment with Rutgers Student Health:

• Rutgers–New Brunswick
  • Call 848-932-7402
  • Locations and hours can be found at health.rutgers.edu/locations.
  • Make an appointment online via our Patient Portal (requires NetID)
• Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
  • Newark: 973-972-8219
  • New Brunswick: 732-235-5160
• Rutgers–Newark
  • Call 973-353-5232
  • Visit Blumenthal Hall, Room 104
  • Email: stuhlth@newark.rutgers.edu
• Rutgers–Camden
  • Call 856-225-6005
  • Visit the Campus Center, second floor

Employees

Flu shots are already available at local pharmacies and through your primary care provider. Please visit the State of New Jersey’s flu webpage to find a vaccine provider near you.

Rutgers is open and operating.

Rutgers continues to monitor the COVID-19 crisis. Refer to this site and your campus operating status page for updates.

• Rutgers University–New Brunswick
• Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
• Rutgers University–Newark
• Rutgers University–Camden

 

Faculty and Staff

• Read the Guide to Returning to Rutgers
• Guidance from University Human Resources advising staff on telecommuting practices, employee leave management, and related workplace questions is available on OneSource.
• Specific guidance for health care workers who have direct contact with patients is available from the Executive Vice President of Health Affairs.
• All Rutgers community members should be sure to have their IDs with them whenever they are on campus and to display them accordingly.

Student Services

Rutgers–Camden

Check the campus operating status for more details: Rutgers University–Camden.

• One Stop Student Services
• Admissions: admissions@camden.rutgers.edu
• Financial Aid: finaid@camden.rutgers.edu
• Registrar: camreg@camden.rutgers.edu
• Student Accounting: camdensar-inquiries@camden.rutgers.edu
• Disability Services: The office remains open as a resource for students. Email staff at disability-services@camden.rutgers.edu.

Rutgers–Newark

Check the campus operating status for more details: Rutgers University–Newark

• Students should visit MyRUN for detailed information about services available.
• Students can call 973-353-1766 ext.1 or email myRUN@newark.rutgers.edu for assistance.
• Disability Services: Contact the office by email, ods@newark.rutgers.edu, or by phone, 973-353-5375.

Rutgers–New Brunswick 

Check the campus operating status for more details: Rutgers University–New Brunswick

• One Stop Student Services Center and email
• Financial Aid
 and 848-932-7057
• Registrar
 and 848-445-7000
• Student Accounting and 848-932-2254
• Admissions at 732-445-4636 and email

• Office of the Registrar: Requested documents will be available by mail
  
• The New Brunswick Cashier’s office accepts payments online or via mail:

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Term Bill Processing Unit
P.O. Box 2021
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2021

Indicate the student’s name, telephone number, and RUID/A number on the front of the check.

• Non-banked students can now book an appointment with a cashier at all campuses to make cash payments via a new online appointment system. We continue to encourage students to pay online for their health and personal safety.
• RU-info can be reached via phone at 848-445-info (4636), text at 732-662-2664, or online at ruinfo.rutgers.edu.
• Disability Services: Staff members are working remotely and can be contacted through email and phone.

RBHS

Check the operating status for more details: Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

• Registrar: rbhsregistrar@rbhs.rutgers.edu; 973-972-5374
• Payments can be made online or mail payments to:
  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
  Term Bill Processing Unit
  P.O. Box 2021
  New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2021Indicate the student’s name, telephone number, and RUID/A number on the front of the check. 
• Disability Services: Working remotely, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., no reduction in services. Email: odsrbhs@rbhs.rutgers.edu or call 973-640-0058.

Rutgers Global provides Global Travel Resources with updates, advisories, and useful resources for international students and scholars.

Library building hours, policies, and service availability vary by location. Check the operating status of your campus libraries.

 

 

Find hours and details at:

Rutgers–New Brunswick Computer Labs

Rutgers–Newark Computer Labs

Rutgers–Camden Computer Labs

Computer Labs for RBHS Students

 

Help with technology issues or questions is available from the Office of Information Technology Help Desk.

• Rutgers University–New Brunswick
• Rutgers University–Newark
• Rutgers University–Camden

The University Finance and Administration COVID-19 Updates page has posted guidelines for deliveries to Rutgers and non-Rutgers addresses.

The Rutgers Barnes & Noble Bookstore locations in Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick are open to the public.

Camden
University District Bookstore
Email: sm8006@bncollege.com
Phone: 856-968-1200

Newark
Barnes & Noble at Rutgers–Newark 
Email: bksrutgersnewark@bncollege.com
Phone: 973-353-2227

New Brunswick
Barnes & Noble at Rutgers
Email: am660@bncollege.com
Phone: 732-246-8448

• As of March 10, 2022, Rutgers has a new university policy that addresses vaccination requirements for volunteers, contractors, guest lecturers, and others. Read the Frequently Asked Questions associated with the policy.
• Anyone with a NetID may use the university’s Visitor Log to enter invited vendors into the system

The Office of Information Technology has developed technology recommendations for Rutgers students. Find details at: https://it.rutgers.edu/computer-recommendations-for-rutgers-students/.

 

Graduate and professional school students may refer to their campus operating status (Camden, Newark, New Brunswick, RBHS) and to their school websites for additional information about support services, remote instruction, degree completion, and more.

 

 

 

Students may refer to their campus operating status (Camden, Newark, New Brunswick, RBHS) and to their school websites for additional information about classroom and remote instruction, support services, degree completion, and more.

 

Links for returning rental books

New Brunswick students:
https://rutgerslabel.bncollege.com/shop/rutgers/page/rental-book-return

Newark students:
https://newark-rutgers.bncollege.com/shop/rutgers-newark/page/rental-book-return

Camden students:
https://universitydistrict.bncollege.com/shop/university-district/page/rental-book-return

Obtain updates from Rutgers housing areas:

Rutgers University–New Brunswick and RBHS Students in New Brunswick

• Residence Life

Rutgers University–Newark and RBHS Students in Newark

• COVID-19 Operating Status

Rutgers University–Camden

• Resident Hall Operating Status

 

 

If you were tested outside of Rutgers, please upload your results to https://rtr.ipo.rutgers.edu/questionnaire/ and call your campus Student Health (contact information below). If you were tested through Rutgers testing program you will be contacted proactively by a Student Health administrator. Student Health will evaluate your living situation and the type/length of appropriate isolation. Students in on-campus housing who test positive or have a confirmed exposure are strongly encouraged and—if the university deems it necessary—may be required to quarantine or isolate at home during a quarantine period.

Camden: 856-225-6005

Newark: 973-353-5232

New Brunswick: 848-932-7402

RBHS – Newark: 973-972-8219

RBHS – NB/Piscataway: 732-235-5160

Contact tracers will contact you if you have been in close contact with a COVID positive case. If you have not been contacted by a contact tracer and but feel that you have been in close contact with a COVID positive case (see CDC exposure definition), please contact your student health office (see contact info below).

Camden: 856-225-6005

Newark: 973-353-5232

New Brunswick: 848-932-7402

RBHS – Newark: 973-972-8219

RBHS – NB/Piscataway: 732-235-5160

Student Health will advise you on how to perform your post-exposure COVID-19 PCR test via the university testing program and will evaluate your living situation to determine if temporary housing is appropriate. Typically, temporary housing is indicated if you share space with others where you may be unmasked. If temporary housing is indicated, Student Health will work with Residence Life to place you in temporary housing.

If you remain without symptoms, you will be permitted to attend classes in person with a mask and may pick up food from the dining halls but may not eat there in-person. You will need to wear a mask in all public areas and monitor your symptoms. You will be asked to perform a COVID-19 PCR test about 5 days after your last exposure and may return to your residence once that test is negative.

Food Assistance
The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) has made it easier for college students to access food assistance during the public health emergency. Students aged 18 to 49 who are enrolled at least half time at an institution of higher education or business, technical, trade, or vocational school that requires a high school diploma may be eligible for food assistance through New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education provides a flyer [PDF] with additional details on eligibility.

Student Food Pantries on Campus
Camden
Newark
New Brunswick

Faculty should not inform the entire class that a student tested positive for COVID-19 or was exposed. They should direct the student to contact Student Health who will follow up accordingly.

Faculty should instruct the student to contact Student Health to inform them of the test result. Student Health will discuss the case with the student and refer any close contacts to Rutgers Contact Tracers, who will contact them and provide guidance on quarantine (if necessary) and testing. Faculty should not inform any other colleagues or students of the student’s test result. Rutgers Contact Tracers will inform those colleagues or students deemed at-risk.

In most cases, if a student tests positive, they may return to classroom 10 days after their symptoms began, or 10 days after the date of their positive test (if asymptomatic). Student Health may provide alternate guidance on return to class on a case-by-case basis.

Exposed students who are vaccinated do not have to quarantine and can continue attending class

Exposed students who are not vaccinated must quarantine. Quarantine duration is determined by Student Health Services and Contact Tracers.

If the Faculty/Instructor is considered a close contact of someone on campus who has tested positive for COVID-19. Rutgers follows the CDC Guidelines for “close contact.”

Transition to remote learning would be a universitywide determination communicated broadly by university administration.

No

No

Faculty who are working on campus should stay home if they test positive, and inform their campus Occupational Health office below:

Rutgers Faculty in Newark, New Brunswick, and Camden – 848-932-8254

RBHS Newark Faculty – 973-972-2900

RBHS New Brunswick Faculty – 848-445-6200

RWJMS Faculty – 732-235-6559

 

Please see CDC Guidelines for “close contact”

Faculty should contact their personal health care provider.

Faculty who are vaccinated will only be authorized to test if they are considered a close contact of an infected student or colleague, and are instructed to test by Rutgers’ Contact Tracers.

Unvaccinated Faculty should be testing weekly as part of the University’s Testing Program and in accordance with State requirements.

No

At this time, the campus surveillance testing program is only testing unvaccinated students and employees, and university-affiliated close contacts of infected students and employees.

Students who are vaccinated are being tested if they are a close contact of an infected student or employee, or if they have possible COVID-19 symptoms and are directed by Student Health to test.

Students should be instructed to:

• not report to class,
• isolate in their dorms or at home, and
• inform Student Health of their test result.

The Office of Information Technology offers a Return to Rutgers Tech Checklist as a webpage and downloadable PDF.

By Tuesday, July 6, 2021, each academic and administrative unit began performing functions in-person, and all employees began working in-person, at least some of the time. The university’s relaxation policy on telecommuting is as follows:

• extended until June 30, 2022, the relaxation of Section II (A) of Policy 60.3.22 Alternative Work Arrangements and Telecommuting for Regularly Appointed Staff with regard to who is eligible to telecommute. All other policy provisions are no longer relaxed effective December 31, 2021
• extended the temporary expansion of permissible use of accrued paid sick time to February 28, 2022

You may also login to OneSource and select the COVID-19 Related Services option in the catalog for more details.

Please login to OneSource and select the COVID-19 Related Services option in the catalog to review this information.

You should contact OneSource and forward appropriate medical documentation confirming the diagnosis within five (5) business days of your initial absence. You should also let your supervisor know that you will be absent due to illness, but you are not required to disclose your medical diagnosis to your supervisor.

Diagnosed employees are advised to stay home and follow medical direction regarding treatment and absence from work.

Employees who test positive for COVID-19 and are physically on campus or in Rutgers facilities should contact Occupational Health directly to report the case and seek guidance.

Rutgers Occupational Health offices by location:

• Rutgers–New Brunswick, Rutgers–Newark, and Rutgers–Camden: 848-932-8254
• Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Newark: 973-972-2900
• RBHS New Brunswick/Piscataway and University Correctional Health Care: 848-445-0123 ext. 2
• Robert Wood Johnson Medical School faculty and staff: 732-235-6559

The Occupational Health office will then evaluate these individuals and the risk of exposure to others in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) risk assessment guidelines. As appropriate, Occupational Health will speak to those who are deemed to be close contacts of the individual and potentially at risk. Those who are not contacted will have been deemed to not be at-risk.

If there are locations and areas that require additional cleaning following a report of a positive COVID-19 test, those areas will be addressed by the University’s Institutional Planning and Operations and Environmental Health and Safety staff. It is important to know that tracking and reporting positive COVID-19 tests is the responsibility of local and state health departments. Any announcements regarding positive COVID-19 cases will come from those agencies.

• The university is open and operating.
• For more information, visit your respective chancellor’s website:
  • Rutgers University–Camden
  • Rutgers University–Newark
  • Rutgers University–New Brunswick
  • Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
• Learn more about safety requirements in the Guide to Returning to Rutgers.

 

 

If an employee is showing flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever above 100.4ºF, cough and/or sore throat, body aches, headache, chills) or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) their supervisor should direct them to leave work. If the employee appears too ill to drive, the supervisor may offer to call a family member to pick them up. If the employee asks for an ambulance or appears very ill, the supervisor should call an ambulance.

Contact Occupational Health directly to report the case and seek guidance.

Rutgers Occupational Health offices by location:

• Rutgers–New Brunswick, Rutgers–Newark, and Rutgers–Camden: 848-932-8254
• Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Newark: 973-972-2900
• RBHS New Brunswick/Piscataway and University Correctional Health Care: 848-445-0123 ext. 2
• Robert Wood Johnson Medical School faculty and staff: 732-235-6559

 

If an employee refuses to go home, the supervisor may call Occupational Health (OH) and transfer the call to the employee for discussion with a physician or nurse. After a discussion with the employee, OH will advise both employee and the supervisor whether the employee will go home and the expected duration of absence. OH will also provide direction to the employee about when to return to work.

No. The supervisor should inform their local Occupational Health Office and they will provide guidance on the matter.

A supervisor should contact Occupational Health if an employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Safety is our top priority. Refer to the Guide to Returning to Rutgers for protocols and guidelines.

• Practice social distancing.
• Wear a face covering as directed within the Guide to Returning to Rutgers.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• When traveling to campus or entering a Rutgers building, employees and students may use the My Campus Pass symptom checker app. To access My Campus Pass, log into my.rutgers.edu. Once you log in, the My Campus Pass window will be visible. Click on the “Get My Campus Pass” button, which will take you to the symptom survey for completion. You will also be asked to include any Rutgers building you plan to enter that day. Once you submit your survey, you will receive an immediate notification as to whether you’ve been cleared for entry.

 

 

Rutgers is now aligned with the quarantine and travel recommendations put forth by the New Jersey Department of Health.

On April 5, 2021, the State of New Jersey relaxed domestic travel-related quarantine requirements for individuals who are fully vaccinated. Though ALL non-essential interstate travel continues to be discouraged, vaccinated individuals (or those who have recovered from COVID-19 within the last three months) no longer need to quarantine or be tested for COVID-19 before or after domestic travel.

Non-vaccinated travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) are still expected to self-quarantine at their home or temporary lodging. International travelers should review the CDC’s COVID-19 travel recommendations by destination.

Please check New Jersey Department of Health guidelines for the most up-to-date information and guidance.

My Campus Pass, a self-screening app, must be used by employees and students each day before traveling to campus or entering a Rutgers building. Access the app at: my.rutgers.edu

Rutgers is now aligned with the quarantine and travel recommendations put forth by the New Jersey Department of Health.

International travelers should review the CDC’s COVID-19 travel recommendations by destination.

My Campus Pass, a self-screening app, must be used by employees and students each day before traveling to campus or entering a Rutgers building. Access the app at: my.rutgers.edu

For the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, Rutgers continues its broad restriction on both foreign and domestic travel for University purposes, while allowing limited travel that is explicitly approved as an exception via a waiver process. The restriction includes domestic travel for University purposes outside of the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and Connecticut region. Refer to the Travel Guidance page available from the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for more details.