Seton Hall University Charts Plans for Reopening Campuses This Fall  

Dear Members of the Seton Hall Community,

Since my arrival as president, I have witnessed firsthand Seton Hall's remarkable endurance and integrity, which have never been more evident than during recent weeks. I am certain our resilience will continue to serve us well as we ready our community for a joyous and safe return to campus.

Seton Hall has been engaged in deliberate action to reopen our campuses this fall, and we welcome the return of our students, faculty and employees for the 2020-21 academic year.

Guided by the University's mission, available science, evolving public health directives and our model of shared governance, we have relied on multiple teams since the early days of the pandemic outbreak to advance recommendations and develop various contingency plans that will ensure a healthy Seton Hall. The more comprehensive our planning, the greater our ability to effectively anticipate and overcome any outcome.

I write you today to thank the many members of our Seton Hall community who continue working day and night to advance the University in support of our students.

The Early Days and Weeks of COVID-19

At the onset of COVID-19, Seton Hall established the following teams to provide vital recommendations to inform the University's decisions and actions. We are grateful for the service of these teams and respective community members.

The Health Intervention and Communication Team (HICT) provided recommendations to enhance campus operations and safety.

The Educational Continuity and Remote Student Engagement Team advanced learning and enhanced student support as the University transitioned to remote learning.

The Great Minds Forward Committee envisioned the resumption of in-person activities, programs and classes.

Advancing Our Future

Meanwhile, we continued mid- and long-term strategic planning processes. Last fall, we retained Keeling & Associates to assist in launching a University-wide strategic planning effort. A Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) was formed to guide the process and its related town hall meetings, group discussions, online portals, surveys and a University-wide assessment, open to all who wished to provide input. The process yielded important guiding principles and draft strategic planning elements. I know you will join me in thanking the SPC members.

Building on the efforts of the Great Minds Forward Committee and informed through consultation with health experts, we recently created two committees with wide University representation. Contingency Planning Group A is focused on planning the reopening of our campuses and returning to in-person instruction in the fall.

Recognizing that the pandemic is still evolving, we also established Contingency Planning Group B to develop multiple strategic contingency plans to ensure the University's preparedness should scientific or government guidance delay or require modified approaches to our return.

The measure of our integrity is not how we show up on our best days, but rather, how we rally together during our most difficult ones. I am grateful for the work of all those who are devoting their time and talents to steering us through the pandemic and planning for the University's future. I thank our entire Seton Hall community for your perseverance, service to one another and your well wishes. Thank you for defining and demonstrating "#SetonHallStrong."

We will continue to provide you with regular progress updates on these and other matters. In the meantime, you and your families remain in my prayers; please keep Seton Hall and all Setonians in yours.

Sincerely,

Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D.
President

Categories: Campus Life