Message from the President: Welcome to the Fall Semester
Dear Students,
Our entire Berkeley College community, from Academic Affairs and Student Development and Campus Life – to Campus Operations, Buildings and Grounds, and Public Safety, has been preparing to welcome you to campus for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Given the unpredictable times we are in, Berkeley College facilities will look different. We will need to work together to maintain health and safety standards, while sustaining the academic excellence and personalized attention that is synonymous with a Berkeley College education. This brief video, which can be viewed here (https://bit.ly/3iEuOmG), will help you become acquainted with health and safety guidelines in effect when returning to campus.
All Berkeley College campuses, with the exception of White Plains, will run a combination of online and hybrid courses for the fall 2020 semester. Many students have opted to take all of their courses remotely. This flexible approach provides an optimal environment for teaching and learning. The first week of the semester, which starts September 8, 2020, will be conducted all remotely. The on-site portion of hybrid courses will begin the week of September 14th.
These plans are subject to change based on new information or guidance from the states of New York and New Jersey.
The COVID-19 Training Module Must be Completed Before Returning to Campus
As we prepare to reopen our campuses, it is important that you understand and follow safety practices and protocols to ensure the well-being of all students, faculty and staff. You must complete a mandatory training course that will review the new policies and safety protocols established in Berkeley College’s Restart Plans (https://bit.ly/341EEeq).
The mandatory training module is accessible through Canvas. As part of this training, students must also accept a Statement of Shared Responsibility (https://bit.ly/2DTOdkH), which acknowledges that the health and safety of the Berkeley College community is a shared responsibility.
Familiarize Yourself with the Required Health Questionnaire Check-in Process
Each day you come to campus, you must complete a COVID-19 Health Questionnaire (https://berkeleycollege.edu/checkin/). You will be asked to respond to questions about your health and wellness, including if you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and if you are experiencing symptoms. You must show the date- and time-stamped “cleared” screen to a Public Safety representative before you will be allowed to enter the campus. If you travel to campus via shuttle transportation, you must show the “cleared” screen to the shuttle driver prior to boarding the shuttle.
Masks are Essential at all Times and FAQs
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. For more information, click here to view additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (https://bit.ly/3gZKXmd) about the fall semester.
Academic and Campus Life Resources
Each year, I announce a theme that will guide the academic year. The 2020-2021 theme is “The Way of One Berkeley.” I encourage you to think about how you will “Go All the Way” in earning your certificate or degree and reach the graduation stage.
As you start a new academic year, take advantage of the many services available (https://bit.ly/3kLpvUo) to help you achieve your full potential – on site or online. The Center for Academic Success (https://bit.ly/2Y1seza) offers programs to keep you on the road to graduation and professional success, such as tutoring and workshops on improving time management, note-taking and test preparation. Through the Library (https://bit.ly/3fTZejb), gain access to online academic resources. Career Services (https://bit.ly/3gZhxEH) is a gateway to online job preparation and virtual internships. Student Development and Campus Life (SDCL) (https://bit.ly/31MrOhi) invites you to Be Engaged! through clubs and volunteerism. SDCL also offers personal counseling and other wellness resources, which are more important than ever.
Student services will be available both on site and online during the fall semester. On-site departments may be following an alternate schedule, so please check the Engage student portal (http://engage.berkeleycollege.edu/) or Berkeley College website for more information.
Your well-being and success are central to our mission at Berkeley College. If, at any time, you have questions or feel unsure how to proceed in your academic journey, please reach out.
Berkeley College is here to support you every step of the way in your journey to the graduation stage. It will be the responsibility of every member of the Berkeley College community to ensure a successful 2020-2021 academic year.
Working together we are stronger. Let’s all do our part to make it a great year!
Sincerely,
Michael J. Smith
President of Berkeley College
