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COVID-19 Updates from Rutgers University & Rutgers SSW

Universitywide Updates

To keep the Rutgers community informed, university leaders are mobilized and involved in all aspects of university operations to address the evolving challenges presented by COVID-19. Visit the universitywide COVID-19 Information website for the most up-to-date information. 

Canvas Instructions for Online Learning

Below please find links to Canvas instructions.

Canvas Conferences / BigBlueButton Resources

​General Canvas Resources

Canvas Mobile Apps

Rutgers School of Social Work Communications to Students

E-mail from Student Affairs sent on March 18, 2020:

Dear Students:

We have some important updates/addendums for you based on some very recent announcements from the University as of yesterday afternoon. Please read very carefully.

Please review the information below regarding  1) the move to online courses for the entirety of the spring 2020; 2) the suspension of in-person Field Education for the entirety of the spring semester; 3) the extension of the withdrawal date to April 10; 4) graduation; 5) training on CANVAS and synchronous systems.

Classes: As you are aware, all on the ground classes have been moved to an online format for the rest of the spring semester.  Please watch for email communication from your professors/instructors about how to proceed starting the week of March 23. Many instructors may be asking you to login to your course through the Conferences/BigBlueButton feature in CANVAS at your usual scheduled class day and time starting Monday, March 23.

Field Education: In-person Field Education is now suspended for the rest of the spring semester for all students. Please note that we will be providing alternative field assignments for students starting the week of April 6 through CANVAS (additional information will be forthcoming by April 6).

We will also work with students on an individual basis if their agency has an opportunity or need for them to engage in remote work, and if both students and agencies agree to continue this remote work.

Please note all students will have their remaining in-person field hours waived for the semester, pending the completion of the additional CANVAS assignments. This will not impact our graduating class.

Please update time sheets for all hours you have earned to date. If you have any process or journal recordings written, please upload them to CANVAS.  Your field liaisons will review, update, and give you credit for these in CANVAS. We are waiving the usual requirements for these, too. Your field liaisons will not be completing any more on site agency visits for the rest of the semester.

We know that the suspension from field education has been difficult for many of you and for your agencies and clients. We encourage you to discuss these unplanned terminations with your peers and professors. Please find communication about field education disruptions/modifications here.

We will be in communication with you about any changes in field education plans.  If you have questions about field education, please reach out to the appropriate field office faculty. 

Nancy Schley, Associate Director, NB Field Office nschley@ssw.rutgers.edu
Trinay Thomas, Associate Director, Newark Field Office ttrinay@ssw.rutgers.edu
Bernardo Hiraldo, Associate Director, Camden Field Office hiraldbe@ssw.rutgers.edu
Rachel Schwartz, Director, Online MSW Education, rhs31@ssw.rutgers.edu
Amy Strickler, Assistant Director, IW program astrickler@ssw.rutgers.edu

Withdrawal Date: The School has extended the withdrawal deadline from March 16th (for MSW students) to April 10, 2020.  This is the new date you have to withdraw from one or more of your Spring 2020 courses and receive the grade of W (withdrawal.)  We do encourage you to discuss withdrawing from one or more of your courses with your advisor.

Graduates: All May 2020 graduates are still on track to graduate and receive conferral of their degrees at the end of the semester. The University will make final decisions about Commencement and Convocation programs soon.  However, whether or not we are able to celebrate together in person, your graduation status will move forward and your degrees will be conferred on the same timetable.  You will receive timely updates when additional information is available.

CANVAS Support and Trainings: Video and written tutorials on CANVAS can be found at the SSW special student webpage as well as on the Rutgers Canvas page. Tutorial for the synchronous video conference features called BigBlueButton can be found on the special SSW student webpage. We strongly advise that you review all these materials in advance and practice logging into CANVAS.

CANVAS is also available in an app form. You can download the app here https://canvas.rutgers.edu and/or follow the instructions on SSW special student webpage.

We are hosting live online training on CANVAS conferencing/BBB for students on the following dates and times. We ask that you attend one of these virtual training sessions.

Sunday March 22 at 8 pm
Monday March 23 at 11 am
Tuesday March 24 at 12 pm

To join
Go to this address to join by video
https://rutgers.webex.com/meet/lg640 | Access code 637322235

Join by phone
+1-650-429-3300 USA Toll
Access code: 637 322 235

Previous communications to students:

Resources

Food Pantries

Mental Health
The outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers information on how to support yourself and others.

Internet Access

  • As of now, Rutgers libraries and computer labs are closed until further notice. Library services have moved to online-only. Spectrum announced that it is providing free internet access during this period and Comcast has price reductions as well. AT&T has also instituted some lenient payment rules.

Media and eBooks

Resources for Professionals

Employment Opportunities & Questions

Volunteer Opportunities

Below are opportunities to get involved in New Jersey and beyond. For a full list, visit NJ.com's website. 

Social, Political, Economic Dynamics

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