Red Hawks Prepare for a Safe Return

University prepares for reopening with safeguards and flexible learning for fall 2020

Montclair State University is preparing for the fall semester with “Red Hawk Restart,” a detailed instructional and safety plan.

The plan contains general safeguards and elements that apply now, during Stage 2 of Governor Phil Murphy’s phased approach to recovery, and other elements that will become applicable when the Governor declares the next stage of recovery.

“At Montclair State, we take care of each other. That means we’ve created a plan that provides a rigorous education for our students to move forward in earning their degrees and continues the important research and scholarly work of the University – while safeguarding the health of everyone in our campus community,” says President Susan A. Cole.

The detailed reopening plan specifies how the University will ensure social distancing, face covering usage, cleaning and sanitizing procedures; health screenings, testing and contact tracing; and spells out extensive procedures for virtually every aspect of the University’s operations, including instruction, research, housing, dining, transportation, computer labs and the library, student services, athletics, study abroad and travel.

“Our success in achieving our goals for the fall 2020 semester will depend not just on this plan,” Cole says, “but, to a much greater degree, will depend on the collective will of all the members of the University community to work together to meet our responsibilities for the education of our students, our responsibility to do all the things that will help keep each other safe, and our responsibility to be effective short-term stewards of the long-term asset of this important University whose future now rests in our hands.”

Coming to campus? Make sure you complete Hawk Check, our online COVID-19 screening assessment. The self-screening is required of all visitors, students and employees. For more information visit the Red Hawk Restart website. Questions may be addressed to reopen@montclair.edu.

Story by Mary Barr Mann