The health and safety of the William Paterson University community is our top priority. As the University navigates the COVID-19 pandemic and returns to fully in-person work and study, the institution has developed policies and procedures to protect vulnerable students, staff, and faculty in order to help ensure a safe and healthy learning environment. COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement As of fall 2021, all students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as was stated in President Helldobler's letter of June 23, 2021. This includes all residential and commuter students, undergraduate and graduate. The only exceptions to this requirement are for students enrolled in WP Online’s fully online programs, and those who qualify under New Jersey law for medical and religious exemptions. All employees are required to be vaccinated as well. Students, faculty, and staff were able to request an exemption due to medical or religious reasons. All unvaccinated individuals with an approved exemption are subject to participation in regular COVID-19 PCR testing. Unvaccinated students enrolled in fully online courses only (section numbers 080 through 089 or in the 800 range) are exempt from the testing requirement. New students are provided information about deadlines for exemptions or submitting of vaccine records for each semester once they are accepted; new employees received information from Human Resources. For more information about the vaccination requirement, see Requirements for Students, Faculty and Staff. COVID-19 Symptom and Exposure Reporting All members of the William Paterson community—students, faculty, and staff—are required to report any diagnosis, exposure, or symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Members of the community should use the WP Symptom and Exposure Reporting Form, which is also available in the WPconnect portal. Anyone with symptoms or who has been exposed is required to fill out the form prior to arrival on campus, leaving a residence hall room, attending any athletic or campus-sponsored activity, arriving at any clinical or teaching placement or any internship program, or participating in any other University activity or gathering. All unvaccinated employees and students who have traveled internationally are also required to report symptoms or exposure on this form. All individuals who report being diagnosed with COVID-19, or are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, will be referred to Human Resources (employees) or the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center (students). These individuals will not be allowed on campus and must report being absent. All information will be kept confidential in adherence to federal and state HIPAA guidelines. More information for students, click here. More information for employees, click here. Off-Campus Testing Home test kits for COVID-19 are widely available in pharmacies, grocery stores, and other retail locations. In addition, the State of New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub, covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing, offers resources for accessing testing locations. Students who may have been exposed to COVID-19 or are having symptoms may get tested through the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center. Any student requesting to be tested should call 973-720-2360 to make an appointment.
