Princeton students have been using their time inside to hone their skills — TikTok dances, recipes, handstands, original music videos and plays — and develop new passions.
While the University substantially decreased rates, students in financial need reported difficulty meeting the cost amidst the pandemic.
Johnson and Sommers are set to speak at the virtual commencement ceremony, to be held on May 31, 2020. An in-person ceremony will follow in May 2021.
Insurance coverage on the University’s Student Health Plan (SHP) has been increased due to COVID-19, expanding both in and out of network coverage, in addition to telemedicine. While students appreciate the change, they feel the University could be more clear regarding the changes and the new policies.
“I’m glad they still tried to make it online and make the most of the situation, but I was definitely disappointed that we couldn’t go in person,” said Jasmine Zhang ’24 from Pennsylvania.
“All colleges and universities across the state of New Jersey, including Princeton, have been asked to consider providing dormitory space to support the state’s COVID-19 response,” noted Deputy Spokesperson Mike Hotchkiss.
“I think, in the face of hatred like this, it's really important to stand together as a community and continue doing what we do best,” said Fawaz Ahmad ’22, Muslim Student Association president and co-host of the meeting.
In lieu of an in-person ceremony, the University will “officially and enthusiastically” confer degrees on Sunday, May 31 — as scheduled — in a virtual ceremony.
This interactive graphic shows how many University students have class during typical sleep hours in their local time, defined as 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. The tool also calculates the number of students who now may have evening classes due to the time zone shift.
All clubs, all extracurriculars, have had to adjust not only their meetings and projects to make them possible remotely. And without performances, conferences, and competitions to attend, most student organizations face the same challenges — it seems there’s nothing for which to prepare, no reason to keep working.
“We want to bring our love and enthusiasm for Princeton [to] their computer screens,” Rachel Hazan ’21, Orange Key Co-Chair and Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Treasurer, wrote in an email to The Daily Princetonian.
The notice, sent at 7 a.m. on April 4, required students to move out by 5 p.m. that day in order for Housing and Building Services to clean the rooms.
University Health Services is now aware of 71 students and 25 employees who have been tested for COVID-19.
The New Jersey “stay at home” order includes an exception for “visiting family or other individuals with whom the resident has a close personal relationship, such as those for whom the individual is a caretaker or romantic partner.” University policy does not.
According to the new policy, students who receive need-based financial aid, have already worked durinb the Spring 2020 term, and will not be working at the University, either in person or remotely, through the end of the term are eligible to be paid normal wages.
Room draw will now take place starting on Monday, April 6.
The measures — listed under the COVID-19 section of the University website — instruct community members to “keep at least six feet between yourself and another person in all public places,” “avoid close contact,” and “limit in-person meetings.”
In two separate instances, one in-class and one in a Blackboard announcement, two faculty members canceled classes and claimed they received an order to self-isolate. Students in those classes have independently confirmed to The Daily Princetonian that these cancellations took place.
At 9:02 a.m. Monday morning, University President Christopher L. Eisgruber ’83 updated the University about next steps regarding COVID-19 preparations.
“We have been developing a new website to keep the University community informed on policies, guidance, and best practices to ensure everyone’s health and safety during this evolving situation,” University Deputy Spokesperson Michael Hotchkiss wrote in a 1:08 a.m. statement to the ‘Prince.’ “Policy information under development was inadvertently made viewable to the public,” he added. “We will share any and all new policies and guidance as soon as they are finalized.”
