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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. About GSAPP
  2. GSAPP 2021 Return to Campus
  3. Frequently Asked Questions

As you transition back to campus, you may have questions regarding our return, what to expect, or best practices. Review the questions below to determine how to proceed. If you have a question not currently listed below, please email 8df9413e.teams.rutgers.edu@amer.teams.ms and if appropriate, we will add your question below. A link to Rutgers FAQ’s is also listed at the very end of this page. 

FAQ’s within GSAPP

  1. How can I request an exemption to the requirement that I submit proof of COVID-19 immunization?
  • Enrolled students may request an exemption from the requirement that they submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination for medical or religious reasons.
  • Exemption requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis; they are NOT automatically granted. The exemption request form is available to enrolled students by accessing the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal.  A valid student NetID and password are required to access the immunization portal.

 

  1. Do I need to participate in COVID testing?
  • If you are NOT vaccinated, you must sign up for weekly COVID testing.  You can simply email your request directly to: covid19testingrequests@rbhs.rutgers.edu.

  • As a reminder, you need to sign up for weekly testing if:

    You are not currently being tested weekly, and
    You will be returning to campus regularly to work, and
    You have not yet uploaded your vaccination information in the portal

  • If you are vaccinated, please upload your vaccination card here. 

 

  1. Are there other rules about being on campus?
  • GSAPP buildings no longer require swipe card entry.
  • University COVID visitor policies must be followed.
  • All GSAPP Faculty, staff and students are expected to display their ID card to assist with compliance to the covid visitor policy.
  • Lanyards and badge holders are available in the Dean's Office.

 

  1. What are the vaccine requirements?

 

  1. Are clinical services taking place on campus/in person at GSAPP?
  • On campus clinical work through GSAPP’s centers is occurring under the specific direction of each Center – the DDDC, RCAAS and CPS. Please reach out to each Center Director for guidance and questions.

 

  1. If I'd like to start coming to campus to work or use my lab, am I permitted to do so?
  • Returning to campus for work is permitted, but work must be done with masking indoors and 6 feet of distance, regardless of vaccination status.  The university will continue to evaluate NJ state guidance and update accordingly. Please work with your supervisor to develop an individualized plan to return to campus based on operational needs over the summer.
  • All GSAPP Programs, Centers and Offices will be developing a specific Returning to Campus Plan, which will be in place over the summer and in anticipation of a return to on- campus work fully in the fall.

 

  1. What’s going on with telecommuting?
  • As of 5/20/21, the University extended its relaxation of telecommuting guidelines and expanded used of accrued paid sick leave to 12/31/21.  This is not an automatic extension of all current arrangements.  The extension will allow GSAPP flexibility with telecommuting as needed to meet the school's units' needs over the next few months. There will be additional GSAPP-specific guidance provided in the coming weeks.  As the university works toward bringing more and more functions back to campus, faculty, staff and students will be receiving ongoing and updated guidance about expectations, requirements or possible accommodations.
  • Please monitor your email, the GSAPP website, and relevant Teams sites for frequent updates as information becomes available. (Note that your official Rutgers email will be the address to which all urgent information is sent. If you do not already do so, please make sure to regularly check your Rutgers email and use it for all GSAPP business)
  • As was the case before COVID, several factors are involved in determining the short- and longer-term practice of telecommuting across different jobs within GSAPP and University-wide. Please speak to your supervisor about your personal situation.

 

  1. What is the status for in-person courses at GSAPP?
  • Rutgers and GSAPP will be holding the majority of our classes in-person, on campus in the fall, following the CDC and NJ guidelines for masks and social distancing for vaccinated populations. Masks/face coverings will be required in all University buildings in non-private enclosed spaces, including classrooms. Because of the mask requirement, food will not be allowed during in-person class meetings at GSAPP. It is expected that instructors and students wear masks at all times while in the classroom. GSAPP will be purchasing several voice amplifiers (microphones) in the next few days that can be used to amplify faculty voices while teaching in masks to prevent voice strain and to help students to hear better. Additional Guidance is available in the university guide: Navigating our Classrooms and Student Spaces .

 

  1. Where should I go to find the most up-to-date information about these questions?
  • GSAPP Faculty can find updated links and documents in the GSAPP Faculty Teams folder.
  • Center/Project Staff can find updated information by contacting their supervisor or Center/Project Director.
  • GSAPP students can find updated information from their program.

 

  1. What if I need an accommodation?

 

  1. Where are students allowed to eat at GSAPP?
  • Students are permitted to eat in the student lounge, labs or classroom/meeting rooms as long as there is no active class or required meeting occurring. (i.e. Students cannot eat during class or mandatory meeting). When eating/drinking, face coverings can be briefly removed and replaced as soon as possible. Students are reminded to wash their hands often and maintain as much distance as possible while eating or drinking.

 

  1. What is the protocol to follow when there is a confirmed COVID case at GSAPP?
  • All notification about cases of COVID is handled by official contact tracing protocols in the state of NJ. Students should contact student health, and faculty/staff should contact occupational health if they have a confirmed case or feel that they have been exposed. Students, faculty and staff are not expected to disclose their health information within GSAPP, but all GSAPP members are required to follow all safety policies (Face coverings, daily campus pass attestation, regular hand washing). Expected course of action will depend on the vaccinated status of the exposed person, and the degree of exposure. Note - exposure is defined as minimum of 15 minutes within 6 feet of a person who has COVID-19.  So, if a student in a class is confirmed to have a case, the student’s classmates, if sitting within 6 feet for the duration of a class, will be considered a close contact and notified.  Other people in the class or room will not be notified via contact tracing unless the formal exposure definition is met.  GSAPP does not conduct contact tracing or exposure notification.  Fully vaccinated individuals who are notified through contact tracing that they were exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 but remain asymptomatic are not required to quarantine and may continue their regular activities. Unvaccinated individuals who are notified via contact tracing that they were exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 must quarantine, even if asymptomatic. Knowledge that a person with COVID was in a GSAPP building does not require any change in operations or schedule other than what is implemented through the contact tracing process.

 

University FAQ’s

  • The University has provided a list of FAQs for the Fall 2021 semester located here.