Welcome to the Bloustein School’s COVID-19 Update page. I wanted to thank everyone for their patience and hard work to quickly implement distance learning tools and create virtual campus experiences, in order to meet the educational needs of our students.
The situation remains fluid and we should be vigilant as COVID-19 reaches deadlier milestones. We want to ensure that we can do as much as possible by working and learning remotely, social distancing when it is absolutely necessary to meet, cleaning and disinfecting our personal and workspace, and washing our hands regularly.
All graduate and undergraduate students have now received several communications from the school as well as the university regarding the new guidelines for providing student services support at the Bloustein School. Faculty and staff have also received numerous emails from us. In an effort to make the process as seamless as possible for everyone, we have created a web resource that serves as much as possible as a one-stop-shop, so that you have answers to your questions quickly.
This website intends to keep the Bloustein School faculty, staff and students informed about our school and university’s operations and also to present resources that will be of use to teaching, research, and learning.
Please check the links below for questions you may have. If you do not find your answer there, send us an email to covid-19@ejb.rutgers.edu
I wish you all the best. Stay safe and healthy.
Vonu Thakuriah Dean and Distinguished Professor, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Important Links
Bloustein School Operating Status
Rutgers University – New Brunswick Coronavirus Updates
Rutgers University – Mail Delivery
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology: COVID-19 Psychological Services Network (free phone and telepsychology services to help obtain short term supportive therapy or assist with referrals)
New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Information Hub
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Academic Continuity Resources for Instructors
Overview
Infographic: Online instructors @ KIS: Do this, Not That
Video: Transitioning to Online
Post: Videoconferencing Alternatives: How Low-Bandwidth Teaching Will Save Us All
WebEx Resources
Written instructions: https://go.rutgers.edu/webex20
Video: Introduction to WebEx
Video: Recording a lecture with WebEx
Video: WebEx invitations – quick method
Video: WebEx invitations – long method
Kaltura Personal Capture
Video: How to download and use Kaltura Personal Capture
Written instructions
Free Conference Call Software
https://www.freeconferencecall.com
Equipment Recommendations
Camera: Logitech C920s webcam [Purchase link on CDW for C920s]
Headset: Avid AE-36 single-plug headset [Purchase link on CDW for AE-36]
Headset adapter (if needed): Avid TRRS adapter for AE-36 [Purchase link on CDW for TRRS adapter]
Canvas Scheduler for Office Hours
Video: Creating multiple office hour time slots
Written instructions
Canvas Discussions and Pages
Discussions Overview
Grading Discussions
Pages Overview
Rutgers University Teaching Resources
Rutgers University, Teaching and Learning with Technology: https://tlt.rutgers.edu/node/489
Keep Teaching Resources and Guidance: https://sasoue.rutgers.edu/teaching-learning/keep-teaching
Three scenarios with tools and classroom resources: https://dcs.rutgers.edu/academic-continuity
External Teaching Resources
Jenae Cohn and Beth Seltzer, Stanford University: Teaching Effectively During Times of Disruption. bit.ly/stanfordteachingdisruption
Webinar (Recording): Keeping Students Engaged in a Transition to Online Learning. YouTube
Webinar (Slides): Keeping Students Engaged in a Transition to Online Learning. (PDF)
10 Tips for Improving Our Online Meetings (link)
Resources for Students
Bloustein School Hardship Funding
Bloustein School Student Application for Hardship Funding
Undergraduate Grading Options/Deadlines
FAQs for Spring 2020 Pass/No Credit Option for Rutgers–New Brunswick Students: https://nbprovost.rutgers.edu/guidance-faq.
General Grade Change Policies & Academic Deadlines: https://nbprovost.rutgers.edu/grade-change-academic-deadlines.
PhD Resources
Rutgers School of Graduate Studies COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund
Technology
Rutgers Technology Resources for students
Bloustein School Student Accessible Software
Student Affairs/Residence Life/Housing
Information on Refunds for Student Housing, Meals, and Parking (March 26, 2020)
Rutgers Student Affairs
Rutgers Residence Life Operating Status
U-Haul Free Storage
Video Conferencing
Canvas Conferences (Big Blue Button)
WebEx features |WebEx guide
Zoom features (MHA students)
Canvas Guides
How to submit assignments?
How do I reply to a discussion?
Canvas Mobile Apps
How to download Canvas mobile app
Canvas Student iOS Guide
Using Conferences/BigBlueButton in Student App on iOS
Canvas Student Android Guide
Using Conferences/BigBlueButton in Student App on Android
Resources for Researchers
The Bloustein School has developed a research continuity plan. Contact Clint Andrews if you need a copy.
10 Tips for Improving Our Online Meetings (link)
Rutgers Office of Research and Economic Development resource page https://ored.rutgers.edu/coronavirus
Status Update: Research Operations and Contingency Planning [March 25, 2020]
Research Preparedness during the COVID-19 Pandemic [March 17, 2020]
COVID-19 Guidance on Continuity of Research [March 12, 2020]
Guidance for Rutgers Researchers
Effort Certification and Reporting Update [March 17, 2020]
Guidance on IRB & Research Preparations for COVID-19 [March 17, 2020]
FAQ – Research Administration (including pre-award, post-award, corporate contracts, export control, IRB, COI and research misconduct)
COVID-19 Updates from Federal Agencies
Guidance from Federal Agencies [Updated March 23, 2020]
Updates from State of New Jersey Agencies
Letter from NJ Department of Children and Families to Provider Agencies Regarding Changing Operations in Response to COVID-19 [March 18, 2020]
Updates from Other Research Sponsors
Message from Ford Foundation [March 16, 2020]
Research Funding Opportunities (from Rutgers Research Portal) [April 1, 2020]
NSF Dear Colleague Letter describing opportunities for short-term RAPID grants https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20052/nsf20052.jsp?org=NSF
NIH Late Application Policy and FAQs Related to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
When delays occur because the applicant or recipient organization is officially closed or unable to submit grant applications due to the effects of COVID-19, the NIH will consider accepting applications late, on a case-by-case basis. NIH will be issuing additional guidance related to this public health emergency in the near future. For frequently asked questions on proposal submission and award management related to COVID-19, see the Guide Notice: NOT-OD-20-083. The Full Late Application Policy can be found here.
NSF Website For Detailed Guidance on COVID-19
NSF has developed a new website for the research community on the Coronavirus, which includes guidance for awardee organizations, researchers and reviewers of NSF proposals. Note that this website will be updated as new developments arise. See here for FAQs. See here for information on existing deadlines.
COVID-19 Research Funding Opportunities: Several agencies and foundations have issued research funding opportunities related to COVID-19. Here are links to several:
- H.R. 6074 Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act 2020
- NSF Research on COVID-19
- NIH Notice of Special Interest
- CDC Broad Agency Announcement: Applied Research to Address the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emerging Public Health Emergency
- Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA) Broad Agency Announcement
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Initiative to Speed Development and Access to Therapies for COVID-19
- Russell Sage Foundation: Social, Political, Economic, Psychological Disruptions of Coronavirus Crisis
- National Science Foundation: Non-medical, Non-Clinical-Care Research on COVID-19, RAPID Response
Resources for Academic Affairs
Resources for Staff
COVID-19 Telecommuting and COVID-19 Paid Leave Information from Human Resources (PDF)
COVID-19 Telecommuting Plan and Acknowledgement Form (PDF)
10 Tips for Improving Our Online Meetings (link)