Spring 2021 Information, Quarantine and Travel Guidelines, Vaccine Distribution and Testing  

We hope each of you had a restful and peaceful Christmas and holiday break and wish you all good things in the year ahead.

Although the official start of the Spring 2021 semester is still almost two weeks away, we are already seeing signs of a return to our campuses.

The planning, coordination, and actions that safely took us through last fall remain in place. We look forward to a healthy semester ahead. Your cooperation, and that of every member of our University community, is vital.

The HICT continues to meet weekly, monitoring the ever-changing path of the virus, University and public health statistics, and government guidance. We may need to amend our plans and procedures during the semester. Your health and safety remain paramount in Seton Hall’s planning and actions.

Academics

Seton Hall will continue to use the HyFlex teaching modality during the Spring 2021 semester, provided existing State of New Jersey guidance related to higher education remains unchanged.

Classes will begin on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 and continue through Tuesday, May 11, 2021. We will not have a traditional Spring Break, to limit travel, consistent with government guidance. We will close for Holy Thursday, April 1 and Good Friday, April 2. Classes are cancelled on Easter Monday, April 5, 2021.

Individual degree calendars may differ, so please check the Spring 2021 Academic Calendar and the School of Law calendar. If you have questions regarding your course of study, please contact your dean's office.

State of New Jersey Quarantine and Travel Guidelines

The State of New Jersey is strongly advising against all non-essential interstate travel. Travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging following recommendations from the CDC.

Please familiarize yourself with the State’s guidelines; these inform the decisions the University makes and has implications for resident and non-resident students, employees, and others.

Resident Students

The State of New Jersey’s Travel Advisory requires that anyone travelling from states/countries other than New Jersey and the regional states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and Connecticut quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in New Jersey. Therefore, all residents arriving from all other states must arrive on campus on January 15th.

Resident students arriving from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and Connecticut may check-in to the residence halls beginning at 9 a.m. on January 22nd. Additional residence hall and move in details have been provided to resident students by Student Services.

Keep Practicing Good Hygiene

The post-holiday spike in cases nationally provides ample reminder of the need to be mindful of continued good hygiene practices. Hand-washing, mask-wearing, and social distancing are all proven actions to keeping yourself and those around you safe.

Once we return to campus, each one of us will play a vital role in promoting the health and safety of our entire community.

Vaccine Distribution Continues

The vaccine rollout gives us great hope. The State of New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccine information portal provides important information. The rollout of the vaccinations continues to change, including President-elect Biden’s pledge to distribute doses originally being held for second doses. We encourage you to pre-register to be notified when you may be vaccinated.

New York State announced that in-person college instructors are eligible for vaccines. Faculty living in New York State can check https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ for more information.

Governor Murphy announced vaccinations will be made available to all residents 65 and older, and to individuals aged 16-64 with certain chronic health conditions as defined by the CDC.

We strongly encourage you to receive a vaccine once you are eligible. The CDC provides important information regarding What to Expect After Getting a COVID Vaccine.

The vaccine news is very encouraging. But mass vaccinations are still many weeks away. Please do not fall victim to pandemic fatigue. Follow the Seton Hall Pledge. We need to stay strong, together, through these cold, pre-vaccination months.

Testing

As part of a comprehensive testing plan and protocol, Health Services and Seton Hall test various students every week.

Additionally, Health Services will continue weekly random surveillance testing of resident students. Non-resident students may also participate in the surveillance testing program by going to Health Services and requesting a surveillance test kit. Students may request to be tested as frequently as once per week.

Sincerely,

Shawna Cooper-Gibson, Ed.D.
Vice President of Student Services

Matthew Borowick '89/MBA '94
Vice President of University Relations

Co-chairs, Health Intervention and Communication Team

Categories: Campus Life