On August 20, 2021, County College of Morris’ (CCM) announced its revised fall opening plan to comply with new state guidelines for higher education and to address deteriorating health conditions related to COVID-19. Since then, Governor Murphy announced vaccine mandates for K-12 and public colleges and universities, and Chairwoman of the Assembly Higher Education Committee Mila Jasey (D-Essex, Morris) has called on community colleges to do the same. CCM appreciates the efforts of Governor Murphy and Assemblywoman Jasey to keep New Jersey safe and healthy. The college also appreciates the very direct support it has received from its county commissioners, the county’s public health director and Randolph Township Public Health Director.
As health conditions continue to change, as do the state guidelines, what has not changed is CCM’s commitment to keep employees, students, and visitors safe and healthy to the greatest extent possible. Individuals who wish to know more about how CCM has been keeping its campus community safe, can read the college’s Fall 2021 Return to Campus Plan at https://www.ccm.edu/covid-19-information-center/. Since the college put its state accepted plan in motion in April 2020, CCM has had no campus outbreaks and has effectively managed isolated situations quickly and effectively. The college has made substantial upgrades across the campus to help the campus community remain safe. The latest version of the plan states a majority of classes will be held remotely for its early 7-week semester which ends on October 26.
The delay to full campus operations provides employees and students the opportunity to get vaccinated considering the continued concerns related to the pandemic. The latest version of CCM’s plan, developed with significant input from faculty, staff, administration, students and local health officials, provides employees and students with the following choices:
- Provide proof of vaccination
- Do not get vaccinated and provide a weekly, negative COVID-19 PCR result
- Apply for a religious or medical waiver and provide weekly, negative COVID-19 PCR result
- Choose fully virtual or online courses (remote courses will be returning to campus October 27, 2021) and no documentation will be required. Students opting for this choice will not be permitted into any campus facilities.
CCM is also requiring individuals on campus to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible. All CCM employees and students must wear a highly visible, college issued ID.
Student Body Information Sessions will continue to be held to answer students’ questions and concerns. These sessions have been well attended and have proven to be both insightful and helpful. Students are notified of these sessions via email from CCM Announcement. CCM’s commitment to keeping the college and its community safe means that it will continue to hear from employees and students and will continue to update the Fall 2021 Return to Campus Plan as necessary.
Photo Credit: Allison Ognibene