Monday, Mar 16, 2020
Dear Rider students,
You have received a number of communications regarding Rider’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and decisions made to protect the health and safety of our community and support your academic requirements this semester. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we respond to the ever-changing circumstances of this outbreak. We know that you are likely heartbroken about this turn of events and what it means for your semester and Rider experience in and out of the classroom. Please know that we are listening to your concerns as we continue to work through a number of issues as part of our coronavirus preparations.
- Spring break is extended an additional week, through March 27.
- All classes scheduled to begin or resume after the extended spring break move to remote and alternative instruction beginning March 30 and continue through April 10.
- Courses that have been delivered online since the beginning of the spring semester will continue to be delivered online and will not be operational during the week of March 23-27. Late-start classes will be delivered remotely, beginning March 30.
- An email will be sent on or by April 3 with information concerning classes after April 13.
- Your faculty will be in touch with you via Canvas or Rider email, if they haven’t already, regarding remote or alternative instruction beginning March 30 for your specific classes. If you haven’t heard from your faculty or have questions, contact your academic dean’s office.
- Out of an abundance of caution, there will be no access to practice rooms and piano labs nor pianos or organs in any rooms in any building on either campus.
Following social distancing guidelines, we have encouraged all resident students who are able to return home to do so through April 10. Students who cannot return home have been asked to complete this form to request to stay on campus. For more information, please contact Residence Life at 609-896-5057.
The governor of New Jersey offered guidance today to institutions of higher education to limit the spread of the virus, including limiting large group gatherings, social distancing, and remote and alternative instruction. For Rider University, this means that we will continue our plan to offer remote and alternative instruction following the extended spring break period until at least April 10. This announcement also included a daily curfew beginning this evening, March 16, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice, suggesting that all non-essential and non-emergency travel in the state is strongly discouraged during that time. In addition, no visitors are allowed in the residence halls on either campus until further notice.
During this period, Rider University will continue to support students in their academic pursuit. Please continue to contact relevant offices via phone and/or email if we can help you in any way and remain patient as we address responses. Please note that dining, library, mailroom, and other hours may vary during the next several weeks. Please see the Coronavirus updates for students for additional information.
We will continue to provide information as it becomes known over the next several weeks via email and our website at www.rider.edu/coronavirus. Please direct academic-related questions to your dean’s office. You can contact the Dean of Students Office at 609-896-5101 or email [email protected] should you have any other questions or concerns in the meantime.
We hope you find helpful the information and resources highlighted below.
Course selection, course withdrawal and applying to graduate
Fall 2020 course selection has been extended one week with the next group of students to register beginning on Monday, March 30. An updated course selection schedule is posted on myRider and the Registrar’s webpage. Faculty advisors will continue to greenlight students via myRider. Students who have not been green-lighted or who need advisement are encouraged to reach out to their faculty advisor via email.
Course Withdrawal I is extended to Friday, April 17, where students can withdraw from a spring course without the instructor’s permission. Students should download and complete the Course Withdrawal form from the Registrar’s webpage and email it back to the Registrar’s Office at [email protected] as an attachment.
Students planning to graduate in May can apply to graduate online through Friday, May 15. Degree applications can be found online.
Please note that students who submit degree applications on or after April 1 may not be listed in the Commencement Book.
Additional academic-related information will be sent to you via email from your dean’s office. Please contact your dean’s office with any academic-related questions and concerns.
Technology to support remote and alternative instruction
We understand that some students may have concerns related to remote instruction based on lack of access to appropriate technology that may be required for some classes. If this is a concern for you, please complete this technology request form, so we can work with you to identify the resources you need. Once you complete the form, you can expect to hear from OIT via email (or phone if specified) within five business days of your request.
Some of our computer labs will be open for your use during spring break and the weeks that follow. Please check the Office of Information Technology (OIT) website for hours of operation. In addition, Comcast is offering free and low-cost internet access during the outbreak. For additional technology-related questions, please contact OIT at 609-219-3000.
Health and well-being
Your health and well-being are of the utmost importance. The following resources are available to support you.
The Student Health Center will maintain office hours for students who are residing on campus and have medical or urgent care needs. Students must call 609-896-5060 to schedule an appointment. No walk-in appointments will be accepted. Providers will conduct telephone screenings and offer instructions over the phone. Students who live off campus are encouraged to contact their primary healthcare providers first. This resource can help you identify local health care providers. The Student Health Center will be available to provide guidance via telephone consultation.
Counseling Services is available to support the mental health needs of students. Students who remain on campus or live nearby and are not sick, may be seen on campus. Counseling groups have been canceled until further notice. Students who are at home are strongly encouraged to find a provider closer to their current location, with whom you may stay in treatment if remote learning continues throughout the remainder of the semester. This resource can help you identify treatment facilities and community therapists in the area. If you or someone you know is experiencing a psychological emergency, contact Public Safety at 609-896-7777 or go to your local emergency room.
Beginning Tuesday, March 17, until further notice, The Rider Resource Pantry will operate as Pick Up by Appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Students needing to access the Rider Resource Pantry will be able to select food and personal items from a Rider Resource Pantry Order Form and schedule pick up weekly. Pantry staff will bag the items and have them ready for pick up at Vona Center Room 23. To schedule an appointment or for any questions, contact [email protected]. If you have other food, housing, or personal needs, download the WIN: What I Need app on your phone to access a variety of social services in the Trenton area.
Campus events
Most University events (including all student organization events) are canceled during both weeks of spring break and while remote instruction is in place. We’ll look forward to rescheduling student events should we return to regular instruction after April 10. We encourage student organizations to consider ways to engage remotely during the next few weeks, especially given the critical period of elections and leadership transitions.
Commencement
Understandably, graduating students are most concerned about Commencement. No decisions have been made just yet about either ceremony. We feel it best to wait and see how the U.S. outbreak unfolds over the next few weeks before making and announcing a decision.