Berkeley College Offers Students a Flexible Approach to Learning for Fall 2021 Semester
COVID-19 Vaccine is Encouraged but Not Required for Students Returning to Campus
Berkeley College is prepared to welcome new and returning students for the fall semester – offering online and on-site options as a flexible approach to learning in a COVID-19 environment. The College encourages vaccination as the best method to protect against the COVID-19 virus, but will not mandate vaccination for students to attend in-person classes.
Berkeley College is gearing up for the fall semester, which starts on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, by inviting students to come back to campus. The College encourages vaccination as the best method to protect against the COVID-19 virus, but will not mandate vaccination for students to attend in-person classes. Masks are required for all individuals, vaccinated or unvaccinated, inside all campus buildings and on all College shuttles.
“With vaccination rates high in New York and New Jersey and stringent protocols for disinfection and social distancing still in place on our campuses, students can begin safely returning to in-person classes,” said Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College. “As we have done over the last two academic years, we are monitoring the situation closely and will update our policies as needed to prioritize the health and safety of the Berkeley College community.”
The State of New Jersey will require certain state and private healthcare facilities to ensure their workers are fully vaccinated, or will implement weekly testing programs for those workers who are not fully vaccinated. Though the requirements for each site will vary, students in the Berkeley College School of Health Studies who are required to complete a clinical rotation must adhere to these requirements.
“Whether their courses are in-person or online, our faculty and staff are on hand to help students through every step of their journey – from teaching and learning – to Academic Advisement and Career Services,” added Smith.
“During the fall 2021 semester, Berkeley College students will have the opportunity to select the course schedule that best meets their program requirements as well as their learning styles and preferences,” said Marsha A. Pollard, PhD, Berkeley College Provost. “Students may choose to attend their classes in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid modality, which consists of a combination of online and on-site courses. Certain courses, such as lab courses within Berkeley College’s School of Health Studies, have a required on-site course component.”
Town Hall meetings with students, faculty and staff are planned for August. Smith said he will resume his in-person Chat & Chew sessions, through which students have the opportunity to share their college experiences and feedback. He said students should make an effort to reacquaint themselves with their campus. “Visit the library, join a club, schedule a tutoring session, or take time to get to know another student,” he said.
Berkeley will maintain health and safety efforts to decrease the risk of infection, including frequent sanitization and implementing social distancing requirements in classrooms and common areas. All students, faculty and staff who are new to the College must complete a virtual health and safety training before arriving on campus.
Additionally, the full range of Berkeley College student support services and resources remain available both on-site and online, including the Library, Academic Advisement, Office of Career Services, Student Development and Campus Life, Office of Disability Services, Center for Academic Success and the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.
For the most up-to-date information on Berkeley College’s COVID-19 safety protocols, click here.
Berkeley College celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2021. The theme commemorating this milestone is “Empowering Lives for 90 Years!” Visit the 90th Anniversary webpage for more information.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers continuing education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, as well as in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,900 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for eight consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
