MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) has released its COVID-19 Return to Campus Fall 2020 Plan, (Click here) which is designed to minimize risk and maximize safety for students, faculty, and staff while continuing high-quality educational offerings.

“Our plan is to return thoughtfully, incrementally and with full consideration to the health and well-being of our students, employees, and campus visitors,” said Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, CCM president. “The Return to Campus Plan has been carefully designed to keep the college safe as we continue to provide an exceptional educational experience for our students.”

The plan calls for no more than 25 percent of instruction to take place in person, while the majority of the college’s classes and all support services will continue to be offered virtually.

The reopening is designed to support programs that require hands-on learning, such as those in engineering and health care while placing a priority on protecting the health and well-being of the campus community.

The plan adheres to all federal, state and local guidelines; implements guidance from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local health departments, and professional organizations; and incorporates recommendations from the campus community.

To ensure the health and safety of students, staff, and faculty, CCM has taken several measures as it aims to continue its high-quality learning environment for the more than 10,000 college credit and workforce students it serves annually.

These measures include disinfecting the campus continuously, optimizing HVAC systems to protect against the spread of the virus, and providing for social distancing through the removal or blocking off of seats and one-way signage in hallways similar to what is being used in grocery stores to direct foot traffic. An additional 1,632 square feet of acrylic shielding is being installed throughout campus.

CCM has also purchased 18,000 disposable face masks for those who may require one. More than 170 wall-mounted hand sanitizer stations are located throughout campus and tabletop hand sanitizers will be readily available.

Anyone who comes to campus will be required to wear a face-covering and display a college-issued identification card, engage in proper social distancing, and participate in a contactless temperature check before entering any building. Faculty, staff, and students must complete a virtual orientation before coming back to campus.

Those who wish to visit the campus will be asked to check-in with CCM’s Department of Public Safety in building 675 Route 10 East upon their arrival. Visitors seeking greater clarification and assistance prior to entering the campus can also call (973) 328-5550.

To further maximize campus safety, all instruction in person will take place with smaller than normal class sizes.

To provide all students with as much flexibility and support as possible, fall classes will be offered in three formats, including remotely with video conferencing and regularly scheduled class meetings. This format is similar to live classes. CCM will also offer traditional online courses that do not require attendance at a specific time and allow the greatest amount of flexibility. Students in programs requiring hands-on learning can enroll in hybrid courses where courses meet on campus and online. The college’s student support services will operate largely online.

The CCM library will continue to provide online services as well as curbside pickup and delivery of materials to students, staff, and faculty. The library will continue to offer limited online and telephonic services to county residents. When deemed safe, the CCM library will allow limited visits by CCM students, staff, and faculty on appointment.

CCM is committed to serving its students and ensuring employers continue to enjoy hiring graduates of skill and talent, especially in critical areas including manufacturing, health care, technology, business, and more. The use of advanced technologies, an exceptionally talented faculty and dedicated support staff make it possible for individuals to achieve their educational and career goals without having to take a gap year.

CCM annually awards more than $12 million in financial aid for tuition and has more than $1 million in federal CARES funds to support students experiencing financial hardships beyond tuition.

“Quite simply, there has never been a better time to enroll, said Dr. Bette Simmons, vice president of Student Development and Enrollment Management.

The Return to Campus Plan, along with numerous other resources, is housed on the CCM COVID-19 Information and Resource Center on the college’s website.

Registration for the Fall 2020 Semester at CCM is still taking place. Classes start September 9. To find out more click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn’s bill helping economically disadvantaged college students qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program passed the Assembly Human Services Committee Monday.

“These students are working hard to educate themselves and to build a better life for their future and they can’t be effective in doing that when they are without access to good food,” said Dunn (R-Morris). “The state can and should seek a narrow waiver of federal rules to help these hard-working students have the resources to survive and thrive. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together to advance this common-sense bill.”

The bill (A4168) would authorize college students who receive assistance from the state’s Educational Opportunity Fund to obtain SNAP benefits regardless of whether the student satisfies the 20-hour weekly work requirement.

The committee released the bill by a unanimous vote of 7-0 and now waits for action by the full Assembly.

MORRIS COUNTY — Loyola University Maryland has announced the members of its spring 2020 Dean’s List. In order to qualify for the Dean’s List at Loyola, a student must achieve a minimum QPA of at least 3.500 for the term, provided that, in the term, they have successfully completed courses totaling a minimum of 15 credits.

Carli Tyson of Boonton

Alexandra Gregorek of Mountain Lakes

Isabella LoRusso of Florham Park

Victoria Bartolomeo of Florham Park

Brittany Hahn of Florham Park

Sofia Lentine of East Hanover

Neel Ghose of East Hanover

Katie Taylor of Madison

Caroline Moore of Madison

Catherine Crowley of Madison

Claire Schaenen of Madison

Erik Bodnar of Morris Plains

Established in 1852, Loyola University Maryland is a Catholic, Jesuit comprehensive university comprising Loyola College, home to the University’s arts and sciences programs; the Sellinger School of Business and Management; and the School of Education. Loyola enrolls 4,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students from across the country.

NEW JERSEY — Governor Phil Murphy advised individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of the last contact within the identified state or territory. In addition to the Virgin Islands, the updated advisory includes two additional states Hawaii and South Dakota – with Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island removed from the list, bringing the total to 33 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, August 11, there are currently 33 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; Nevada; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Virgin Islands; and Wisconsin.

“To protect the steady progress we’ve made on our road back, we need everyone who has traveled to one of these impacted states or territories to practice self-responsibility,” said Governor Murphy. “I strongly encourage all individuals arriving from a hotspot to proactively get a COVID-19 test and self-quarantine to reduce transmission across our state.”

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodgings. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items.

It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible by clicking here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker, and Deputy Chief Jonathan Delaney of the Dover Police Department announce the arrest of Michael A. Holdnak, 30, Dover.

Holdnak has been charged with Attempted Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a/2C:14-2c, a crime of the second degree; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a (1), a crime of the third degree.

It is alleged that between July 12 and July 28 this defendant engaged the 15-year-old male victim in sexual conversations via telephone and social media. It is alleged that on two occasions, the defendant engaged in these conversations while he was outside of the victim’s residence.  The defendant was charged by warrant-complaint on August 10 and is currently lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility in accordance with Criminal Justice Reform.

Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and the Dover Police Department, whose efforts contributed to the investigation and charges filed in this matter.

Anyone with information relating to these incidents is asked to call Detective Lydia Negron of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6213 or Det. Raziel Aragon of the Dover Police Department at (973) 366-2200 ext. 4203.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MORRIS COUNTY — Rosemary Becchi, the Republican challenger in the 11th Congressional District in New Jersey, issued a letter challenging Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill to three debates to be held across the district, beginning in September and ending in mid-October.

“With record unemployment and an economy destroyed by the pandemic, too many people are staying awake at night worrying about how they are going to pay their bills and put food on the table.,” said Becchi. “This election might be the most important election of our lifetime and I believe the voters deserve to hear directly from the candidates on what they plan to do to responsibly reopen and get Jersey back to work.

In a letter sent directly to Representative Sherrill, Rosemary Becchi shared the urgency of live debates, citing “There are unprecedented challenges facing New Jersey right now and the next Congresswoman from Congressional District 11 will be required to make tough decisions.”

Becchi expanded on this point, “In this district, we have a history of elected officials standing before the voters, sharing their opinions, and challenging each other on the issues. Given the pandemic, it may be necessary to adjust the format and hold tv-only debates or even zoom debates. Now more than ever, I believe it is our duty to continue the important tradition to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.”

The debates should give both candidates the opportunity to share their platforms, expand on their stance on issues, and describe their vision for the future. They should cover a variety of topics, be spread out across the district, and provide an opportunity for voters to ask questions. The debates should be moderated by third parties without a political agenda or platform.  

Rosemary Becchi went on to explain that she has been talking to voters throughout the district who are tired of politics and just want to know where the candidates stand on the issues. They want elected officials who will put people ahead of politics. Becchi shared that she hopes the Congresswoman will respond quickly to her invitation to debate.