Omicron Cases Suspected At NJ University, Finals Now Remote

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton University has moved all final exams to remote format and asked the university community to cancel or postpone all indoor gatherings after an uptick in cases among undergraduates during the last 24 hours — including “suspected cases of the highly contagious Omicron variant.”

On Tuesday, 28 university community members tested positive for COVID-19.

The new restrictions take effect from Thursday through Jan. 7, the university announced. The university has also asked eligible students and staff to get a COVID-19 booster shot.

In a letter to undergraduate students, Vice President Rochelle Calhoun and Dean Jill Dolan said the university intends to institute a booster dose mandate for students and staff. All eligible persons would be required to receive their booster dose by Jan. 31. Details on the mandate are expected sometime this week.

“The University will revisit its gatherings guidance before January 7th and update our public health policies accordingly,” the letter said.

For the week of Dec. 6-10, 34 university community members tested positive for COVID-19, according to the institution’s COVID-19 dashboard. They included 16 undergraduates, three graduates and 15 faculty and staff members. Around 99 percent of undergrads, 98 percent graduates and 96 percent of staff and faculty are currently vaccinated.

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