Berkeley College Calls on Faculty, Staff and Students to Take a Pledge of Shared Responsibility in Its Restart Plans for the Fall Semester
Monday, August 10, 2020
Vice President,
Communications and External Relations
973-200-1098
Angela-Harringt@BerkeleyCollege.edu
Photo Caption: Berkeley College’s Restart Plans for the fall 2020 semester detail efforts to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Health and safety protocols at campus facilities in New Jersey and New York include increased cleaning and disinfection; reduced capacity in classrooms and common spaces; additional hand sanitizer dispensers and disposable wipes; antiviral coverings on door handles and elevator buttons; and requiring daily health screenings upon arrival to campus.
Berkeley College recently announced its Restart Plans for the fall 2020 semester for campuses based in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, and New York City. The fall semester begins Tuesday, September 8, 2020. To help inform students about what health and safety guidelines they can expect to practice on campus, the College produced this brief video.
Berkeley College’s Restart Plans include a “Statement of Shared Responsibility,” that asks faculty, staff and students to take a pledge to acknowledge that the “health and safety of the Berkeley College community is a shared responsibility.”
“Berkeley College holds as paramount the health and safety of every member of its community,” said Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College. “Maintaining a safe campus is a shared responsibility. Each of us needs to do our part in following federal, state and local public health guidelines, as we support students on their paths to college degrees.”
All Berkeley College campuses in New Jersey and New York will run a combination of online and hybrid courses for the fall 2020 semester, with the exception of White Plains, NY. All courses for the White Plains campus will run online. Smith pointed out that plans are contingent upon each state meeting the health and safety metrics outlined by their respective governors.
“Many programs are offered remotely, so students have the option of an all online approach or a hybrid approach. A hybrid modality reduces the amount of time students spend on site by offering partial online components and partial onsite components of courses,” said Smith.
The College’s health and safety efforts include, but are not limited to, increased cleaning and disinfection; reduced capacity in classrooms and common spaces; additional hand sanitizer dispensers and disposable wipes; and antiviral coverings on doors hands and elevator buttons.
All students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to check in with Public Safety at designated points of entry upon arrival each day. Through the mobile COVID-19 Health Questionnaire, users must answer questions about their health and wellness, including their temperatures, if they have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and if they are experiencing any symptoms. The Questionnaire will display a date- and time-stamped “cleared” screen to allow entry to the campus.
Masks or cloth face coverings are required for all students, faculty, staff and visitors inside all campus buildings, as well as on all College shuttle transportation services. Before the semester begins, all students, faculty and staff must complete a mandatory training course that will review the new policies and safety protocols.
“We stand behind the efficacy of our restart plans, but it is up to each individual to do their parts to maintain a safe environment for their own good and the well-being of all others on campus,” Smith added.
The Plans were developed by members of the Berkeley College Coronavirus Task Force, a cross-section of departments, which began meeting in January 2020 to discuss Berkeley College’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to view the Berkeley College Restart Plan for New Jersey campuses.
Click here to view the Berkeley College Restart Plan for New York City.
Click here for the most up-to-date information about plans related to COVID-19.
Click here to view the Statement of Shared Responsibility and Pledge.
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is synonymous with excellence in distance learning. Students can take advantage of online support services including academic advisement, tutoring, clubs, personal counseling, career development and remote internship opportunities.
In June, the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education granted Berkeley College a waiver, allowing students in the School of Health Studies to complete their course requirements and lab training on campus in Woodland Park, NJ. A plan is also being submitted for the White Plains, NY, in accordance with New York State requirements.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, as well as in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 5,700 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
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