Tag: Campus

The College’s campus is normally bustling with activity — as students hurry to class, meet with friends for a meal or find a quiet spot to study. A vibrant atmosphere has always permeated the campus, and that is part of what made college enjoyable for many students.

Barry Friedman was hired to support audiovisual events on and off The College of New Jersey campus, his talent honed from years of corporate venue experience and lending his expertise to national theatrical tours. Joining the Media and Technology Support Services (MTSS) a little over four years ago, he had no idea his position would change drastically because of a global pandemic.

President Foster’s email early on Feb. 28 regarding the number of positive student cases over the past ten days was astounding to say the least.

When Kim Abbas thought about going to college, she expected to sit in a classroom, eat in the dining hall and study in the library. Contrary to her expectations, Abbas, a freshman political science major, spent her first semester of college on a computer in her bedroom. Now she’s living on campus and in her second semester at the College, and she’s just starting to get a taste of the college experience she didn’t have last semester.

As a result of the projected plan to open campus in the spring, the College community is adjusting their academic and social plans for next semester. In an effort to limit the potential cases of Covid-19, the College has replaced “the weeklong spring break with two single days off during the semester, Thursday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 30,” according to College President Kathryn Foster’s campus-wide email.

Separated by their educational school, no more than 125 students stood all around the turf of Lions Stadium on Oct. 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 17th, and 18th. Each of them carried the College’s patterned bags full of decorated masks, hand sanitizers and a labeled “Lions” thermometer. Everyone wears green bracelets signaling a completed and good health pass. The reason for the occasion: “Spend a Day at TCNJ.”

The Office of Student Conduct and Off-Campus Services have provided supplies for students living in off-campus houses to ensure the health and safety of those in the Ewing community for the fall, according to Vice President of Student Affairs, Sean Stallings in a student-wide email sent on Aug. 28.

A statement was released on Sept. 3 by the Campus Diversity Council to continue the conversation on restorative justice in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Wednesday, Aug. 12, that New Jersey colleges and universities can reopen for in-person instruction in the fall despite the state remaining in Stage 2 of the reopening plan. The College, however, will continue with its revised plan to remain online-only for the fall, according to President Kathryn Foster in a statement during a virtual Town Hall meeting held on Aug. 5.

At the crux of this question of whether or not to reopen in the fall is a simple and extremely straightforward fact: nothing has changed since this virus first broke out.

The College released the anonymous “Campus Pulse” survey results on Thursday, June 11, through a campus-wide email sent by newly-appointed Vice President for Equity and Inclusion James Felton III. College President Kathryn Foster released the survey to students, faculty and staff in November 2019.

Before March 12, Craig Hollander had never called out sick from work. Nearly a week later, he found himself being one of the first positive cases of COVID-19 in the state.

Seton Hall University announced on May 22 that its doors will open in the fall for a hybrid, flexible (“HyFlex”) plan that offers both in-person and online instruction, according to an announcement on its website. The university is the first public higher education institution in New Jersey to announce a decision for the upcoming semester.

The end of the school year is always bittersweet, but with the circumstances of COVID-19, it’s feeling more bitter than it does sweet for many. Even through the struggles, students at the College have hope for next semester, and are ready as ever to be back on campus.