More N.J. colleges mandate COVID boosters, move start of spring term online – NJ.com

As the latest COVID-19 surge continues to drive up statewide case totals, more New Jersey colleges are asking students and staff to show proof of a booster vaccine.

At least nine public and private colleges have announced booster shot requirements — with Caldwell University and Saint Elizabeth University joining the list Friday. Booster mandates are also in place at Princeton University, Rutgers University, Drew University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Stevens Institute of Technology, St. Peter’s University and Felician University.

Boosters are recommended for people who initially received their second Pfizer or Moderna shots at least five months ago or at least two months for those who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to the latest CDC guidelines.

The list of schools that have shifted the start of their spring semesters online due to the omicron surge has also increased — with Monday’s addition of New Jersey City University, Drew University and William Paterson University.

Here are the latest COVID-related policies released by New Jersey colleges:

Atlantic Cape Community College announced Monday that its spring semester has been pushed ahead about a week to Jan. 24.

The change was made, “to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff,” the school said in an update. “There will be no further changes to the calendar at this time.”

The school, which requires students to show vaccine proof or submit to weekly tests, has not mandated booster shots.

Bloomfield College has shifted the start of its spring semester online. Classes will be held remotely from Jan. 13 to Jan. 28, before resuming in-person Jan. 31.

“Reported cases and the prevalence of COVID-19 in local populations will be monitored and the in-person start date may be changed,” a school update said. “A small number of classes (such as lab and studio experiences, clinical experience) will have an in-person meeting component during this time, which may include hybrid delivery (a mix of in-person and virtual class meeting sessions).”

The school required resident students, student-athletes and nursing majors to have one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (fully vaccinated) or at least one dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine by Jan. 3. Moderna or Pfizer vaccinated students must be fully vaccinated within three to four weeks after Feb. 1. A booster shot is not currently required.

Following the same format from the fall, Brookdale Community College will provide coursework in a mix of in-person and online — depending on class and instructor — for the spring.

The spring semester runs from Jan. 19 to May 10.

“Brookdale Community College will require COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly testing for all students who are taking classes on campus, effective January 3, 2022. Likewise, all Brookdale employees must also provide proof of full vaccination or agree to weekly testing,” David Stout, president at Brookdale Community College said in a letter.

As of Monday, the college has not announced booster mandates.

Caldwell University, a Catholic school in northwestern Essex County, announced Friday that a COVID booster mandate will go into effect.

In a spring 2022 semester campus update, Peter Ubertaccio, vice president for academic affairs, said the booster requirement will apply to all students, faculty and staff.

“(The mandate) will require faculty, staff and students to obtain their booster shots within two weeks of becoming eligible. The majority of us will be eligible by the end of January,” Ubertaccio said.

School officials said spring classes are expected to start on-time and in-person Jan. 18.

Ubertaccio noted that as of Friday, over 91% of Caldwell University students and over 95% of staff are vaccinated — following a mandate put in place last summer.

He said additional information on the new booster mandate, as well as the spring face mask policy, will soon be released. The school also plans to host a mobile booster vaccine van on campus in January to provide access to shots for the campus community.

Centenary University in Hackettstown will have its spring semester only online from Jan. 10 to Jan. 17. In-person classes are scheduled to resume Jan. 24.

“We encourage everyone to get vaccinated if you are not already, or to get your booster. We will be working to offer vaccinations and boosters on campus and this information will be sent to you when confirmed,” Centenary University President Bruce Murphy said in an email Dec. 27. “We are also working to offer COVID-19 testing on campus in January and will shared information as soon as dates are confirmed.”

Drew University will require all students, faculty and staff to get booster shots by March 31.

“We hope you use your break as a time to rest, relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with family and friends. We also hope that you keep in mind these important measures that can help have a significant impact on the health and well-being of our campus in the spring…,” the Madison school said in a December announcement.

School officials said Monday that the first three days of classes of the spring 2022 semester, which starts Jan. 19, will be held in a virtual format.

“All classes will meet remotely at their regularly scheduled times. Students will receive emails from their course instructors with instructions and Zoom links prior to the start of classes,” the school said in a new update.

In-person classes are expected to resume Jan. 24.

Felician University students must receive a booster by Jan. 10, officials announced last week.

Anyone returning to campus must show proof of a booster and a negative PCR test beforehand, according to school officials.

The university has campuses in Lodi and Rutherford.

The spring semester, which begins Jan. 24, will be held remotely for the first two weeks. In-person classes are slated to resume Feb. 7.

School officials said students who report their booster vaccine proof or appropriate exemption will be entered to win an iPad.

Hudson County Community College will have a mix of online and in-person classes for its winter and spring 2022 semesters.

A lookup tool has been provided for students to check whether their class is fully online (meaning with no live course interaction) or remote, wherein students attend class virtually during regular class times. Another option will be a hybrid of in-person classes and online instruction.

School officials said all students and employees must be fully vaccinated. Boosters are not currently required.

While not required, “all members of the Kean community are strongly encouraged” to get a COVID booster shot, university officials said.

The university shifted to remote classes Dec. 23 during the end of its winter session. The spring semester, which will kick off Jan. 18, will remain online through Jan. 30.

“All student services will remain accessible both remotely and in person, and athletics, theatre and most other events will continue as planned,” school officials said online.

Mercer County Community College will be under a remote format until Jan. 18, the school recently announced.

“If you have not already done so, we urge you to get your vaccine without delay. If you are eligible for a booster shot and have not done so, please make time to get a booster shot,” Jianping Wang, president of the school said in an online statement — although she did not state boosters are currently mandated.

“Vaccinations remain the best way for us to protect the health of students, faculty, staff, friends, and visitors to our campuses,” Wang added.

The school’s spring semester is set to start in-person Jan. 24.

New Jersey City University announced Monday that its spring semester will begin remotely.

“From January 18 through January 30, all instruction and instruction-related activities will be conducted through distance-learning platforms,” Tamara Jhashi, provost and senior vice president, said in a campus message.

Jhashi said library services will be available online and essential services will remain open on campus.

“At this time, we plan to return to in-person teaching on Monday, January 31, and will update you as necessary. However, I also recommend to all instructors to plan now for instructional continuity in their courses through asynchronous resources should the need arise,” she said.

NJCU previously set an October deadline for students to be fully vaccinated. It has not announced a booster requirement.

New Jersey Institute of Technology will require eligible students, staff and faculty to receive boosters by Jan. 31, the Newark school announced Thursday evening.

Anyone not eligible, based on CDC guidelines, will have to receive a booster “no later than 2 weeks after their eligibility date,” according to a school update.

“The surge in COVID-19 cases, recent guidance from the CDC and the American College Health Association, and our steadfast commitment to the health of our campus community have required we consider some adjustments to our near-term planning,” school officials said Thursday in an announcement.

New Jersey Institute of Technology will also move the start of its spring semester online — from Jan. 18 through Jan. 30. Students will resume in-person classes Jan. 31.

Princeton University announced in December that all students, faculty, staff and researchers will be required to get a COVID booster by Jan. 31 or 30 days after becoming eligible.

The Ivy League school, which is hosting booster clinics, also moved the return to campus ahead a week to Jan. 14.

“Although all of us are exhausted and frustrated by the ongoing COVID pandemic, we must continue to do everything we can to protect the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. Thanks for doing your part,” Jill Dolan, the dean of the college, and W. Rochelle Calhoun, vice president for campus life, previously wrote in a memo.

Princeton undergraduates will return to campus on a staggered schedule between Jan. 14 and Jan. 23, the last day of the winter session. The spring semester, which starts Jan. 24, will be in-person, school officials said.

Rutgers University, the state’s largest school, said last week that boosters will be required by Jan. 31 for all students. A deadline for staff to receive boosters was not provided.

The school, with campuses in Newark, New Brunswick and Camden, will remain in remote instruction through January.

Tony Calcado, executive vice president and CEO at Rutgers said the “additional layers of protection” provided by boosters will help the university transition back to in-person classes for the remainder of the spring semester.

Rutgers’ winter session, which shifted to remote in early October, lasts until Jan. 14. The spring semester, which starts Jan. 18 and ends in mid-May, will be remote until Jan. 31, Calcado said.

Rowan University officials announced Monday that classes will be held in-person and on time.

“Students who are impacted by COVID may ask faculty for temporary special arrangements for remote instruction. Faculty are encouraged to offer such options where feasible and reasonable. Students will be advised as needed about options for situations where in-person experiential learning cannot be made up or replicated,” Tony Lowman provost, Terri Drye, vice president for human resources, and Kevin S. Koett, vice president for student life said in a statement.

In addition, booster vaccines — while not required — are strongly encouraged.

“During the current spike in virus cases, the university is temporarily expanding flex work opportunities for employees impacted by illness, exposure, or their children’s school closures. Employees must work with their direct supervisor to determine if remote work is possible for their position,” school officials added.

Saint Elizabeth University announced Friday that all students and staff must receive a booster by Feb. 15.

“Mandating COVID-19 boosters is another way SEU is working to keep our community safe and healthy,” said Gary Crosby, president of Saint Elizabeth University in a statement. “This deadline is six months from when most faculty, staff and students were fully vaccinated, making most individuals, except for those with approved medical/religious exemptions, eligible for the booster by February 15.”

Crosby added that the school will work directly with anyone who does not fall within the eligibility window.

The school will start its spring semester remotely from Jan. 10 to Jan. 21. School officials said in-person classes are scheduled to return Jan. 24.

“Be sure to upload negative COVID-19 test results taken within 72 hours before arrival on campus,” the university said online.

Seton Hall University announced Thursday that part of its spring semester will transition to a remote format.

All three of the university’s campuses in South Orange, Newark and Nutley/Clifton will have online classes between Jan. 19 and Jan. 30. The spring term is then scheduled to return to in-person classes from Jan. 31 to mid-May.

“We emphasize what we have said before: If you are not vaccinated, get vaccinated. If you received your initial vaccination, get boosted. Beyond the health benefits, boosted individuals who are close contacts are exempt from certain quarantine protocols,” school officials said in a campus update.

As of Friday, Seton Hall University has not mandated booster shots.

Saint Peter’s University announced in December that all students and staff must receive a COVID-19 booster by March 1.

The booster shot requirement at the Jersey City school does not extend to online students and professors, who do not visit the campus, school officials said.

“I continue to rely on each and every one of you to help us keep our in-person operations a success as we all do our part in working to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” St. Peter’s University President Eugene Cornacchia previously said in an email to the campus community.

A St. Peter’s spokeswoman said classes for the spring semester, which starts Jan. 19, will be held in-person.

The deadline for Stevens Institute of Technology students to provide proof of booster shots is Jan. 31, officials at the Hoboken university announced.

“The booster vaccine is important as public health experts are beginning to see reduced protection from the initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. Experts are confident that booster shots will increase immune response and provide further protection against the virus, preventing severe illness and hospitalizations,” Stevens Institute of Technology President Nariman Farvardin said in a campus-wide message in December.

Sara Klein, assistant vice president for student affairs and Warren Petty, vice president for human resources, said the university is planning for an in-person spring semester starting Jan. 18.

William Paterson University announced Monday that the school’s spring semester will begin online due to the spike of COVID-19 omicron cases.

Remote classes will run from Jan. 24 to Jan. 31, before resuming in-person, officials said.

“While COVID vaccine boosters are not being required at this time, they are strongly encouraged for everyone who is eligible to receive them. As the pandemic continues to evolve, the one constant since vaccines first became available is that people who are fully vaccinated fare best in terms of avoiding the disease and, should they contract it,” the university said in a new campus update.

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Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @stevenrodasnj.