Our Plans for the Fall Semester

It has certainly been a challenging few months for everyone as the public health crisis forced us to change the way we live, study, and work. 

Following the guidelines of local, state, and federal officials, our team worked hard over the summer to develop comprehensive plans to reopen in time for the Fall semester. An overview of those efforts and the protocols now in place for everyone returning to campus is available here. The full Reopening Report submitted to New York State can be accessed here.

Our Bronx and New Rochelle campuses will be open on a limited basis this Fall semester. While there will be some in-person, socially distanced classes on the two campuses this semester, approximately two-thirds of our classes will remain in the virtual classrooms. Capacity will be reduced across all classrooms and public areas of the College.

Social distancing and PPE requirements are in place, as are contact-free temperature scans, daily health screenings, and enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols. COVID testing is also available, especially for housing students and our student-athletes. 

Rest assured, the health and safety of our college community remains our greatest priority. We are ready and prepared to transition all classes and campus functions back to the virtual environment immediately should the need arise.

For the Fall semester, we are offering our undergraduate students three ways to attend class: a limited number of on-campus classes with social distancing protocols in place, in the virtual classrooms, or a combination of both. 

Our Monroe Online students will continue to pursue their studies completely online as they have since their programs started.

International students wishing to study and stay in the U.S. must take a hybrid course schedule, with some classes on campus and some in the virtual classrooms. Those wishing to return to their home country or travel elsewhere are strongly encouraged to speak with their DSO before doing so. Please contact Philip Peroune (phperoune@monroecollege.edu) or Emerson Phillips (ephillips@monroecollege.edu) with related questions.

Administrators, Public Safety, IT, Residence Life staff, and Facilities Management staff have been on campus to support students throughout the pandemic.

With the start of the new semester, additional staff, such as those with our Financial Aid, Bursar, Career Services, and Student Services offices will begin on-campus hours once again. Our academic support centers, such as libraries, computer labs, and tutoring facilities will slowly reopen as well with limited hours. Staggered staff scheduling is in place to support social distancing goals.

Assistance and support will continue to be offered to students remotely through phone, text, email, and webchats during the Fall semester.

Our residence halls in New Rochelle have reopened at reduced capacity, with students arriving at staggered times to avoid crowding during move-in. Priority was given to students attending clinical programs, international students, and student-athletes participating in fall athletic activities, among others. Gaddy Cafeteria will operate with adjusted meal service protocols.

Please note: A negative COVID-19 test result is required from anyone moving into the dorms. We have partnered with a local healthcare facility to administer the test. In addition, housing students will be required to submit a daily health screening questionnaire. Please contact Residence Life for more information.

All non-essential external events and gatherings remain suspended for now. On-campus extracurricular events will require special approval and will be limited to those that can be held in compliance with social distancing mandates.

Our St. Lucia campus expects to begin resuming on-campus operations for the fall semester as well. It will do so with similar precautions and protocols in place, subject to the guidance and timelines set forth by the government of St. Lucia. More details will be provided to students by local campus leadership.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to David Dimond if you have questions or concerns about our reopening plans. He would be happy to address them.

David Dimond
Senior Vice President
ddimond@monroecollege.edu