Monmouth University classes will be nearly all remote after Thanksgiving in response to the recent increase of COVID cases in the state.
According to a Nov. 2 message on the West Long Branch university’s website from university President Patrick Lahey, when classes resume on Nov. 30, they will be online, except in the case of in-person or hybrid courses that require in-person instruction like clinical and field-based experiences.
The fall semester ends on Dec. 14
Leahy
“We deliberately waited until early November to make a final decision on our post-Thanksgiving plans to ensure that we had a clear understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on our campus community, as well as the most current recommendations from our state and local public health officials.”
Residence halls will remain open for students who want to return to campus after the holiday. Students who leave and spend Thanksgiving in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut or Pennsylvania will be required to take a COVID-19 test within three days of their return to campus. Those who choose not to return will receive prorated refunds or credits on unused room contracts, meal plans and parking fees.
Students must notify the school of their plans by Nov. 13.
Monmouth’s decision to go online comes as many colleges and universities in the nation make similar plans as more COVID cases are diagnosed and individuals are asked to quarantine for 14 days from hotspots. The school resumed hybrid in-person and remote learning on Oct. 21 following an off-campus “superspreader” event that led to hundreds of students contracting the virus.
The College of New Jersey last week relea,sed its spring semester plans which include both hybrid and fully remote classes, testing requirements, and the reinstatement of varsity sports. TCNJ’s spring classes will start on Feb. 1, one week later than originally scheduled, and exams will end on May 18. Spring break will be replaced with two single days off during the semester: March 18 and March 30.
