Bergen Community College Resumes 'Limited' In-Person Instruction

PARAMUS, NJ — Beginning Monday, limited in-person instruction resumed at Bergen Community College.

The institution is offering a few in-person practice-based classes, officials announced this summer, including for students in health professions and manufacturing.

No in-person classes will be offered at Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack, and only paramedic science program practicals will take place at the Bergen Community College Meadowlands campus.

For those attending courses in person, there are new steps that must be followed.

According to the college, faculty, staff and students completed a two-step screening process which features a mobile app based COVID-19 risk assessment questionnaire and thermal temperature scan.

Anyone hoping to enter must pass those tests before entering any school building.

This process is just one of the new protocols in place as the coronavirus pandemic persists. Others include:

• "Require face coverings, thermal temperature screenings and social distancing for all who enter main campus facilities
• Practice enhanced cleaning and sanitizing of all campus common areas, while maintaining appropriate supplies of personal protection equipment, purchasing MERV-13 air filters for heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment and limiting the flow of pedestrian traffic in hallways and entrance/exits
• Position student services such as the Cerullo Learning Assistance Center, registration, admissions, bursar and financial aid to provide their complete complement of services online
• Suspend the intercampus shuttle between Paramus and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands, the athletics program and on-campus dining
• Establish mandatory requirements for students, faculty and staff returning to campus - including by providing COVID-19 awareness training
• Limit those on campus to students taking classes, faculty or staff conducting official College business or invited guests
• Develop a mobile app-based two-step screening process for those entering a campus facility
• Close access to the Sidney Silverman Library - though it will offer remote services and curbside pickup of materials - STEM Student Research Center and computer labs
• Appoint a “reopening coordinator” to monitor real-time compliance of the College’s plan and respond to inquiries, comments and concerns"