Coronavirus Update

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Dear Members of the Montclair State University Community:

I am writing to provide an update on the University’s response to the emergence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The University is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to provide periodic updates and guidance about recommended precautions.

While COVID-19 is a serious worldwide public health concern, the immediate health risk to the general U.S. public and, more specifically, the Montclair State community is low at this time. To date, there have been no cases identified in New Jersey.

In regard to travel, the University has canceled all University-related travel by employees and students to those areas rated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as Level 3 or 4 risk regions.  Currently those countries include China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy. You may review the most up-to-date CDC travel guidelines at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.  The University has been in contact with employees and students who are overseas to make sure that they have the information and any assistance that they need.

The University has a well-developed emergency response plan in place, as well as a team of staff who have been trained in the implementation of the plan.  If circumstances require additional action, we will be ready to respond as may be required. The University’s Health Center has created a website where members of the campus community can find helpful information: https://www.montclair.edu/university-health-center/what-you-should-know/

All members of the University community are strongly encouraged to take appropriate and sensible precautions against contracting or spreading COVID-19.  At this time, those precautions are essentially those one might take to avoid the flu: wash your hands well and frequently, substitute a smile for a handshake, don’t share eating implements or cups, cover your coughs and sneezes, stay home if you are sick, and seek medical treatment if you are experiencing symptoms that suggest that you should.

If you have any specific concerns or questions, please raise those with your supervisor, dean, or vice president, who will pass them along to the appropriate University officials and get you the advice you require.  If you need immediate assistance and you cannot reach your supervisor, dean, or vice president, please contact my Chief of Staff, Keith Barrack, at barrackk@montclair.edu or 973-655-4213.

I wish you a healthy semester.

Sincerely,

Susan A. Cole
President