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For Students/Parents

To maintain the safety of our community, Rutgers University has been preparing to respond quickly and appropriately to the evolving COVID-19 coronavirus situation. As we plan for various scenarios, we continue to follow CDC guidelines. Please return to this site regularly to keep informed about the university’s activities to address this public health crisis.

Academics

Classroom instruction at Rutgers University–Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick

  • There will be no in-person classes, programs, camps, conferences, or other activities at Rutgers University through at least August 14.
  • All University-sponsored courses/programs/activities that will take place through August 14 on the Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick campuses will be done via remote technology.
  • Beginning Monday, March 23, through the end of the spring semester, all in-person instruction, with the exception of clinical instruction, was suspended and moved to remote instruction. Individual instructors were expected to have been in contact with their students regarding their plans for remote instruction prior to March 23. (All classes from March 12 to March 22 were canceled.)

Instruction at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

  • Courses at RBHS continue as scheduled.
  • Beginning Monday, March 16, all RBHS classes were provided remotely. RBHS deans from the relevant schools will continue to be in touch with students regarding more detailed plans for remote instruction.
  • Students should contact their deans re: clinical rotations and clinical instruction.
  • The cancellation of in-person activities at Rutgers University through August 14 does not apply to RBHS clinical programs and activities; check with the relevant RBHS office to ascertain the status of RBHS summer programs, courses, and activities.

Spring 2020 Grade Options

Students will be provided additional time to withdraw from courses.

Students also will have until May 22, 2020, to choose a Pass/No-credit grading option for individual courses. Pass/No-credit grades are not factored into GPAs. [Updated May 12]

If students choose a Pass/No-credit option, a note will appear on transcripts to indicate the circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak. While a Pass/No-Credit grade may impact how transcripts are viewed by employers and other universities, the impact is likely to be minimized by the fact that several universities are currently allowing this conversion.

Grading and withdrawal policies vary by campus and, sometimes, by school. Students should connect with academic advisers before deciding on grading or withdrawal options. Find more information from Rutgers-Camden, Rutgers-Newark, and Rutgers-New Brunswick.

Undergraduate Research during Summer Session

As communicated on March 26 and April 2, summer session will proceed as scheduled. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all instruction will be offered remotely. Laboratory research on-campus has been restricted to projects deemed as critical research.

Due to these restrictions, and to the need to suppress the spread of the CoV2 virus, summer sessions cannot include on-campus laboratory research for undergraduates.

Research activities that can be carried out remotely are encouraged so long as the undergraduate students can conduct all activities remotely and do not have to come to campus at any point.

 

Technology Resources

 

Housing

  • With the suspension of classes through the end of the spring semester, residential students will receive a notification with guidance about next steps and timing for moving out of residence halls on their respective campuses. Do not come to campus to move out until you receive guidance.
  • Students who received a waiver to continue residing on campus will be permitted to stay.

Rutgers University–New Brunswick Students Residing On Campus

  • Non-12-month residence halls were closed on Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m. with card key access discontinued.
  • Only students who reside in other countries, in university family housing, or who have prior approval from Residence Life will be allowed to stay in selected residence halls and apartments.
  • Keep up-to-date on Residence Life’s Operating Status.

RBHS Students in New Brunswick

  • Since clinical rotations and clinical instruction continue for RBHS students, those living in on-campus housing in New Brunswick will be given exemptions to remain in residence halls.

Rutgers University–Newark Students Residing on Campus

  • Students will be notified via email about any changes to residence hall operations and move out instructions.
  • Only students who reside in university family housing, or who have prior approval from Residence Life will be allowed to stay in selected residence halls and apartments while in-person instruction is suspended.

RBHS Students in Newark

  • Since clinical rotations and clinical instruction continue for RBHS students, those living in on-campus housing in Newark have been given exemptions to remain in residence halls.

Rutgers University–Camden Students Residing On Campus

  • Students whose only home is the residence hall, are housing insecure, reside outside the U.S. or outside of the Northeast United States, may request accommodations by emailing housing@camden.rutgers.edu. Accommodations will be reviewed and determined on an individual basis.
  • Learn more about the Resident Hall Operating Status for Camden.

 

Housing, Dining, and Parking Adjustments and Refunds [Updated April 8]

  • Housing, dining, and parking charges will be credited to each eligible student’s account. The adjustments will be calculated on a prorated basis beginning on March 23, the first day following Spring Break, and ending on May 16, the required move-out date at the University. We encourage students to set up direct deposit to receive their refunds faster and more securely.
  • Financial holds that block registration will not be placed on student accounts that have past due balances. We sympathize with families and understand the financial hardships that many families are facing during this difficult time, as well as the expectation that students focus on their academic work.
  • Additional questions on housing, dining, financial aid, and more are answered by the Student ABC office. Read the full list of questions and answers on refunds and other finance-related issues.

Additional Help and Links

 

Student Services

Rutgers–Camden

Rutgers is open, but some services and facilities may not be operating or may be operating on limited schedules. Check the campus operating status for more details: Rutgers University–Camden

The One-Stop Center and the Contact Center remain operational via email and will respond within two business days:

Rutgers–Newark

Rutgers is open, but some services and facilities may not be operating or may be operating on limited schedules. Check the campus operating status for more details: Rutgers University–Newark

One Stop and Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, Registrar and Student Accounting, will be serving students remotely Monday– Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Rutgers–New Brunswick 

Rutgers is open, but some services and facilities may not be operating or may be operating on limited schedules. Check the campus operating status for more details: Rutgers University–New Brunswick

The Visitor Center and the Undergraduate Admissions office are closed to the public.

  • Admissions staff will continue to answer phone inquiries at 732-445-4636 and emails during this time.
  • All campus visits/tours have been canceled through August 14.
  • One Stop Student Services Center: Is closed for walk-in inquiries through the month of May. Students can contact a Student Services Adviser using the following contact forms: 
  • Students may also call Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:
    • Financial Aid: 848-932-7057
    • Registrar: 848-445-7000
    • Student Accounting: 848-932-2254
  • Office of the Registrar: Requested documents will be available by mail only.
    • The last day for Rutgers–New Brunswick students to drop a course with a “W” has been extended from March 23 to April 10.
  • Cashier: The New Brunswick Cashier’s office will be closed for in-person payments through the month of May. Payments can be made online at paymybill.rutgers.edu or mail payments to:

Rutgers University Student Accounting Services
P.O. Box 2021
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2021

  • RU-info can be reached via phone at 848-445-info (4636), text at 732-662-2664, or online at ruinfo.rutgers.edu. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Disability Services: Staff members are working remotely and can be contacted through email and phone.
RBHS

Rutgers is open, but some services and facilities may not be operating or may be operating on limited schedules. Check the operating status for more details: Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

International Students

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

Graduate Students 

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

Students in the School of Graduate Studies should refer to the school’s COVID-19 information including the deadline change for the submission of theses and dissertation materials and FAQ.

 

Counseling Services

Counseling support and guidance services for students are available.

 

Mail Services

Effective March 23, 2020 Mail Services suspended normal departmental mail delivery to campus locations on the Newark, RBHS, Piscataway and New Brunswick campuses until further notice.

Mail Services will close service windows at student post offices to limit exposure between postal clerk and students. Postal clerks will still be present at student post offices to support the students still on the New Brunswick, RBHS, and Newark campuses. Mail and packages for these on campus students will be placed into the automated locker system for students to retrieve.

 

Events

All in-person events such as classes, programs, camps, conferences, or other activities at Rutgers University are canceled through at least August 14. This includes Rutgers Day and commencement ceremonies at all campuses.

Admitted Students Open Houses

The Rutgers–New Brunswick Admitted Students Open House on April 4 has been postponed, along with all campus tours through at least August 14.

The Rutgers–Newark Admitted Students Day on April 18 has been moved to a live online event, please register here: https://admissions.newark.rutgers.edu/virtual-admitted-student-day-2020. All campus tours have been canceled through at least August 14.

Check back for information on Admitted Student Open House at Rutgers–Camden.

Commencement

In-person commencements in May at all campuses are suspended; however, virtual ceremonies have been scheduled. Suspending in-person ceremonies will have no effect on our ability to confer degrees on our graduates. Check these sites for the individual event details.

 


Travel Guidance

Rutgers Global

Find information on travel advisories, alerts, and guidance on the Global Travel Resources page that includes useful information for international students and scholars.

Rutgers-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs and International Travel

Rutgers-sponsored study abroad programs were suspended and international travel has been canceled. Students in partner university or other third-party programs were urged to return home as soon as practical.

Spring Break

All Rutgers-led international spring break programs were canceled. All students were urged to reconsider their spring break travel plans—domestic and international—especially to areas where there has been significant incidence of COVID-19.

Returning to Campus after International Travel

All students returning from a country designated Level 3 by the CDC are required to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus.

Domestic Travel

We strongly suggest that all members of the Rutgers community—faculty, staff, and students—reconsider any upcoming domestic travel, especially to areas where there has been a significant incidence of COVID-19. Read the Travel page for more information.

Reporting Acts of Bias

Acts of bias should be reported to the school’s academic program administrator or student affairs coordinator for formal investigation.


Take These Steps

The best course of action to prevent contracting or spreading COVID-19 is to follow CDC’s basic protective measures including:

  • Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve while coughing and sneezing
  • Washing your hands with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds
  • Using an alcohol-based sanitizer on hands if soap and water are not available
  • Avoiding touching your face
  • Not sharing foods, utensils, e-cigarettes, etc.
  • Cleaning commonly touched objects and surfaces regularly
  • Staying home from class/work if you are symptomatic
  • Practicing social distancing and adhering to stay-at-home orders
  • Getting the flu vaccine to reduce your risk of contracting the flu as well as mitigate its symptoms, recover faster, and curtail its spread