Dear Red Hawk Families:
As we look ahead to fall 2020, we want you to know that we are proud of your students for how they managed the unprecedented transition to fully online learning in the spring with grace, resilience and support for one another.
As a campus, we not only worked with great energy and determination to get us through spring, but we continue to work in accordance with state guidelines to prepare for our return in the fall. Please note that the fall term will be moved up one week, with classes starting on Tuesday, August 25 and ending on Monday, December 14, with no on-campus instruction after Thanksgiving.
This fall we will offer students a mix of on-campus and remote learning, the re-opening of campus housing and other student services, as well as the resumption of campus activities within state guidelines. For the health and safety of the University community, we will have policies in place with regard to face coverings, hand sanitizing, room and equipment cleaning, social distancing, health monitoring, and other related concerns.
We will continue to keep students informed as we put those policies in place and make decisions that will impact the 2020-21 school year. Students will also find updates on our COVID-19 website.
Si necesita información en Español, por favor mandar su pregunta por correo electrónico a hispanicsatmsu@montclair.edu y se les responderá a la brevedad possible.
Montclair State Administration
HEALTH — Answers provided by Patricia Ruiz, director of the University Health Center
How can I protect myself and my family from coronavirus?
These tips for staying healthy and resources for your family are on our coronavirus website.
Someone in my home was diagnosed with coronavirus, what should I do?
If you or someone in your home has been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, watch for the development of fever, cough, or shortness of breath. If you are experiencing those symptoms or have been tested or diagnosed with COVID-19, contact your health care provider and stay in a room away from all other people and pets and use a separate bathroom, if possible, until isolation can be discontinued. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control website for guidelines for isolation, quarantine, and monitoring symptoms.
My student is too sick to do their school work, what should they do?
It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with their professor(s) about illnesses or reasons for missing class, preferably before the class or exam takes place. Together the faculty and student can work toward a resolution for missed classes, assignments, or exams.
What signs of emergency should I look for if anyone in my household is ill? If any ill person’s symptoms worsen in any way, it is advised that you contact your healthcare provider/seek medical care. Emergency warning signs that can potentially develop with a COVID-19 infection include but are not limited to difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, irritability, difficulty to rouse, and bluish discoloration of lips/face. 911 should be contacted in these instances. However, it is important to keep in mind that the majority of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 experience mild, non-life-threatening symptoms.
How do we know it is OK to discontinue home isolation?
According to the CDC, home isolation can be discontinued after the following three things have occurred: You are fever-free for at least 3 days without the use of fever-reducing medications, your symptoms have begun to improve and at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first developed. Visit the Centers for Disease Control website for more information on isolation, quarantine, and social distancing.
How can members of my family get tested for coronavirus?
You can find New Jersey testing sites at New Jersey’s COVID-19 website here. Most sites are accessible only by appointment. More information about testing in New Jersey can be also be found on the state’s website. Some urgent care facilities, as well as emergency rooms, are also testing on-site for COVID-19, but individuals must meet the CDC criteria set forth by the CDC in order to be tested. You must call ahead prior to visiting the facility to alert them to your symptoms and determine if that facility has any testing kits available at that time.
Academics information can be found on the Academic Information page of our coronavirus website.
Reminder: Your students are encouraged to reach out to faculty if they are struggling with classes or online instruction, getting the materials they need or encountering any other obstacles to learning.
How to Succeed in Online Classes (in English and Spanish)
More questions? See our Coronavirus FAQs or the Student Information page of our coronavirus website.
In addition to academic support, the University offers career services and has created videos with tips for How to Conduct a Job Interview Online.
Your students can also view updates on the Student Information page of the website.
Mental Health Resources for Coping During the Pandemic
Counseling and other resources are available to students at Montclair State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
Information regarding COVID-19-specific coping resources and tips on handling concerns and emotions can be found on the CAPS Covid-19 Information page.
General mental health resources for parents of college students can be found at the CAPS Parent Resource page.
Let’s Talk has gone virtual so that students can still have easy access to informal, confidential one-on-one consultations with CAPS counselors online. Services will be available one hour a day, five days a week (M-F) via doxy.me/letstalkmsucaps. For more information see the Let’s TeleTalk page.
NJ Mental Health Cares, the state’s behavioral health information, and referral service to offer help to people dealing with anxiety and worry related to the pandemic. Call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) provides parents and caregivers with information related to the health and mental health aspects of coping with COVID-19.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Stress and Coping – Basic guidance from the CDC on managing mental health stressors during COVID-19
Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations during the COVID-19 Outbreak – Information from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Coronavirus Anxiety: Helpful Expert Tips and Resources – Tips from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty – This American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) blog provides suggestions for coping with uncertainty during COVID-19.
Special population resources:
Search for free or reduced-cost services like medical care, food, job, training, and more in every state by zip code.
Remote learning resources:
EveryoneOn is a nonprofit that connects low-income families to affordable internet service and computers and delivers digital skills training.
Title IX, the NJ State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace, and all University Policies remain in full effect during the pandemic. Maintaining an academic program free of discrimination and harassment remains a high priority. For more information on Title IX, visit our website.
If your student is in need of support, please view the Title IX Help & Resources web page.
Even though we are working remotely academic and administrative staff are available to answer your questions and provide support. View a list of contact information.
Last Modified: Monday, June 29, 2020 3:07 pm