Dear Monmouth University Community:
I write with details on Monmouth’s plans for the coming 2021 spring semester. As with all of our planning and decisions since the outset of the COVID-19 health crisis, our plans are guided by maintaining the safety of our community and are informed by collaborative discussions with public health officials and key stakeholder groups at the University. I believe that these plans are well-informed and reflect the best interests of our community.
Academic Affairs
Academic Schedule: The spring 2021 academic calendar has been updated and posted online. In an effort to mitigate the risk of virus spread at the height of cold and flu season, we have delayed the semester start to Monday, Jan. 25. This postponement, coupled with the public health objective of preventing non-essential travel, has required us to eliminate the traditional spring break. In lieu of a weeklong spring break, the spring academic schedule incorporates “break days” in March and April. This adjusted schedule allows us to maintain our typical 14 week semester, which will end when it normally does in early May.
Course Delivery: Course delivery methods for the spring will closely resemble those offered in the fall, with a mix of in-person, hybrid, and online delivery, designed to be as accommodating to individual student preferences as possible. Students can access individual class schedules by logging into their Personal Academic Information section in WebAdvisor for details on course modalities for specific scheduled classes. Students should contact their faculty advisor or department chair directly with any questions or concerns. While we may not be able to completely satisfy the preferred schedule of every student, our faculty advisors and department chairs stand ready to answer any questions about schedule adjustments.
Academic Support Services: All academic support services offered through the Center for Student Success – including advising, tutoring, career development and disability services – will remain available throughout the semester in a combination of in-person and virtual sessions.
Flexible Grading Policy: The Faculty Council will make a decision early in the spring about continuing the Pass/Fail grading option for the spring 2021 semester.
Global Education: The spring 2021 semester Study Abroad programming, Global Seminars, and Global Experience programs remain suspended. Given the uncertainties of COVID-19, we strongly suggest that employees and students avoid travel during the spring 2021 semester. Exceptions to the suspension of Monmouth-sponsored travel must be approved by each employee’s area vice president.
Campus Living and Learning
Residential Life: We will continue to offer on-campus housing and meal plans for all interested students. Students who deferred or cancelled fall 2020 housing contracts and have reconsidered their decision may reinstate room assignments for the spring by emailing reslife@monmouth.edu. Residential halls will continue to follow all previously prescribed community standards, including visitation limits and participation in surveillance COVID-19 testing.
COVID-19 Testing: All residential students, as well as all students enrolled in hybrid or in-person courses, are required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result within seven days of the start of the spring semester on Monday, Jan. 25. Students impacted by the COVID-19 testing requirement will receive further instruction as we approach the start of the new semester.
Travel Quarantine: Students traveling to Monmouth University from one of the impacted states on New Jersey’s travel advisory list must quarantine in-state for 14 days prior to their arrival on campus. Residential students will be accommodated with an early arrival date to satisfy this quarantine requirement. Students affected by the quarantine requirement will be contacted by the Office of Residential Life with specific instructions prior to the start of the semester.
Dining: Dining services will continue to be available to all students, compliant with State guidelines. We hope to make limited indoor dining available and will continue to offer takeout meals and space for socially distanced outdoor dining as the weather permits.
Tuition Payment
Billing: Invoices for the spring 2021 semester will be sent electronically to students and their designated authorized user contacts beginning Monday, Nov. 23. Payment deadline for the spring 2021 semester is Wednesday, Dec. 16. Students should contact bursar@monmouth.edu with any questions related to their spring bills. As a reminder, tuition and fees are fully refundable through Monday, Feb. 1, one week after the start of classes, and we will continue to offer pro-rated credit adjustments for housing and meal contracts through the spring semester.
Public Health
As always, these plans are predicated on current and prevailing public health guidance. If public health restrictions change, which subsequently affect plans for the spring semester, updated information will be communicated as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to SpringRestart@monmouth.edu with any questions regarding our plans for the spring semester. Our team is ready to assist you.
To reduce the risk of virus spread, we will continue to require the proper use of face masks and social distancing of at least six feet. We also encourage all students and employees coming to campus to utilize the CampusClear symptom tracking app and COVID Alert NJ contact tracing app. As always, we urge anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms to get promptly tested. The most current and comprehensive campus information, including daily dashboard data, is updated and available on our COVID-19 website.
Monmouth is a University grounded in resilience and determination, and I have great faith that our community will continue to demonstrate these strengths in the months ahead. I am grateful for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate these challenging times together and look forward to a successful spring semester with you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President