SC&I Policy for Masters Students on Pass/No-Credit Grades for Summer Session 2020 courses In Response to the Coronavirus Crisis

• SC&I graduate students enrolled in graduate level courses (17:XXX:500 and above) or in undergraduate courses that are approved parts of their graduate curriculum have the option to switch their grading modality from A, B, C, or F letter grades to P/NC for any Summer Session 2020 class through August 21, 2020. The “P” grade replaces the A, B, or C letter grades. The “NC” grade replaces the F letter grade.
• This P/NC grade option applies to all Summer Session 2020 courses (which include Summer Sessions I, II, and III).
• “P” grades will count towards the credits required for the degree, but they will not enter into GPA calculation.
• P/NC and U grades earned during the Summer Session 2020 term will not be permitted to contribute to any SC&I student being deemed as “not in good academic standing.”
• Undergraduate students who are currently taking graduate courses as part of the 4 + 1 (Bachelor’s / Master’s) programs should follow the undergraduate P/NC policy outlined by their four-year undergraduate school for this Summer Session 2020 term.

Policies for Other SC&I Students (reminder)

• Doctoral students at SC&I should refer to the School of Graduate Studies Summer Session 2020 grading policy for their options for P/NC.  The P/NC option should be evaluated very carefully by individual Ph.D. students. Ph.D. students are urged to consult with their advisor and graduate program director before choosing the P/NC option as there may be negative consequences related to choosing P/NC. Some Ph.D. programs will still require letter grades in certain courses where there is a requirements for a “B or better” grades for advancing in the program.
• Undergraduate students at SC&I should refer to the Summer Session 2020 grading policy of their four-year school for their options for P/NC.

SC&I Policy for Masters Students on Pass/No-Credit Grades for the Spring 2020 Semester In Response to the Coronavirus Crisis

• SC&I graduate students enrolled in graduate level courses (17:XXX:500 and above) or in undergraduate courses that are approved parts of their graduate curriculum have the option to switch their grading modality from A, B, C, or F letter grades to P/NC for any Spring 2020 class through May 22, 2020. The “P” grade replaces the A, B, or C letter grades. The “NC” grade replaces the F letter grade.
• P/NC grades will be allowed for the Spring 2020 semester only.
• “P” grades will count towards the credits required for the degree, but they will not enter into GPA calculation.
• P/NC and U grades earned during the Spring 2020 semester will not be permitted to contribute to any SC&I student being deemed as “not in good academic standing.”
• Undergraduate students who are currently taking graduate courses as part of the 4 + 1 (Bachelor’s / Master’s) programs should follow the undergraduate P/NC policy outlined by their four-year undergraduate school for this Spring 2020 semester.

Policies for Other SC&I Students (reminder)

• Doctoral students at SC&I should refer to the School of Graduate Studies Spring 2020 grading policy for their options for P/NC.  The P/NC option should be evaluated very carefully by individual Ph.D. students. Ph.D. students are urged to consult with their advisor and graduate program director before choosing the P/NC option as there may be negative consequences related to choosing P/NC. Some Ph.D. programs will still require letter grades in certain courses where there is a requirements for a “B or better” grades for advancing in the program.
• Undergraduate students at SC&I should refer to the Spring 2020 grading policy of their four-year school for their options for P/NC.

Late April

We are reaching out to remind you that the staff and faculty at Rutgers University remain committed to supporting you in and out of the classroom!  Especially during these unique times, maintaining our health and wellness is very important. We have some exciting news – virtual medical and counseling visits, workshops, and other activities are here for you and new ones are being developed every week!  

Specifically, the information contained in this communication focuses on services available to you in the following areas: medical, counseling, health education, recreational, and sexual and interpersonal violence. These services are available to you now while you are away from campus or still residing with us.

We would also like to reiterate the importance of practicing social distancing. We all miss the vibrancy of our campus community, but it is imperative that we all work together to flatten the curve.

Medical Services
The Hurtado Health Center on the College Avenue Campus is open, but with limited staff and hours. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm.

·       All regular services, such as physicals, sexual and reproductive health, and management of acute and chronic conditions, continue to be available. For a full list of services, visit health.rutgers.edu/medical.

·       Most services are provided via phone consultations and telehealth video visits. Limited in-person appointments are also available when deemed necessary. The laboratory is open when blood work is required.

·       Use of the Patient Portal to schedule appointments at Hurtado is currently suspended. To schedule an appointment, call 848-932-7402.

·       Please note: Calls from Student Health may appear as a blocked number, so please set your phone to allow blocked numbers and set up your voicemail to allow for messages.

 Experiencing Fever or Respiratory Symptoms?
Regardless of whether you use Rutgers Student Health or another healthcare provider, if you experience symptoms of COVID-19 (coughing, fever, shortness of breath), or feel you’ve been exposed, make sure to call your healthcare provider for consultation. Do not just show up to your provider’s office.

Counseling, Alcohol & Other Drug Assistance Programs and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
Although all CAPS locations are physically closed, services, including counseling, Let’s Talk, and, soon group session are available remotely via phone consultations and telehealth video visits.

Use of the Patient Portal to schedule appointments with CAPS is currently suspended. To schedule an appointment, call 848-932-7884, and leave a voicemail with your full name, phone number, and RU ID. Your message will be returned within 1 hour during regular business hours.

• Please note: CAPS will return your call from a blocked number, so please set your phone to allow blocked numbers and set up your voicemail to allow for messages.
• Check your Rutgers Portal for messages from CAPS staff.

·       ProtoCall, a phone-based service for students in crisis when CAPS is closed will continue to be available. Call the main CAPS number, 848-932-7884, and follow the prompts.

·       CAPS also offers virtual workshops on topics such as mindfulness meditation, yoga and “Coping with COVID-19 Stress” on a drop-in basis with no sign up required! Find a list of offerings at health.rutgers.edu/virtual-resources.

An additional resource is the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP). Information can be found out gsapp.rutgers.edu/gsapp-guidelines-for-covid-19/mental-health-support.

Health Outreach, Promotion and Education (HOPE)
HOPE is creating a variety of workshops and videos for release in mid-April. HOPE’s physical office is closed.

• Live mini health and wellness workshops and quick-tip videos will be available on emotional wellness, alcohol and other drugs and sexual and reproductive health.

·       Offerings will be listed at health.rutgers.edu/virtual-resources.

Stay connected with Student Health (Medical, CAPS, and HOPE) on social media: @RUStudentHealth on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Find more information at health.rutgers.edu/RSH-operating-status.

The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance (VPVA)
Although VPVA’s physical office is closed the hotline, 848-932-1181, remains operational and will continue to provide 24/7 crisis response for anyone in the Rutgers community who needs it. Counseling and advocacy services are being offered by phone.

Stay connected with VPVA on social media: @RUVPVA on Facebook and Instagram and @RU_VPVA on Twitter. Find more information at vpva.rutgers.edu/vpva-operating-status.

 Recreation
All Recreation locations are physically closed but services are being provided remotely.

Virtual Programs and Services Include:

·       Free on-demand and live fitness and wellness classes including yoga, Pilates, RU Fit-30, Bodycombat®, and GRIT®

·       Free 6-week virtual walking/running challenge

·       Free one-on-one Skype appointments with the Exercise is Medicine – On Campus coach

·       Online personal training

·       Rutgers students may also participate in the National 2020 Recreation Movement with 40 other universities

·       eSports and virtual trivia

Find more information on the Rutgers RURec2Go app available from the App Store and at recreation.rutgers.edu/status.

Stay connected with Recreation on social media: @RURec on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

We look forward to seeing our campus full of activity once again. Until then, stay safe and remember to practice social distancing, wear face masks in public, wash your hands frequently, and invest in your own self-care.