May 7, 2021: COVID-19 Vaccination at Rutgers
Spotlight
COVID-19 Vaccination at Rutgers
COVID-19 vaccinations are available to members of the Rutgers community with their NetID at three campus locations around the university. Locations in Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick are equipped with Johnson & Johnson vaccines and either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. No walk-ins are permitted, so for appointments, visit the COVID-19 vaccine portal to register. Those who have already been vaccinated are reminded to upload their vaccination cards to the portal. Review the original universitywide announcement to learn more.
From the Desk of...
Chancellor Brian L. Strom
Dear Colleagues,
The past few days and weeks have certainly been very busy and momentous. As you know, we launched the Rutgers COVID-19 vaccination clinics at all three of our campus locations across the state earlier this week. We have both Johnson & Johnson and either Moderna or Pfizer vaccines at each site. In just the past two days Rutgers has already administered over 250 vaccinations against COVID-19 and more than 400 vaccination appointments are scheduled for the coming days.
New Jersey is approximately 1.4 million adults shy of our goal of reaching 4.7 million vaccinated adults by June 30. As Rutgers works to help reach this critical benchmark, we ask all of our Rutgers community members to visit the Rutgers Vaccination Portal to schedule a convenient on-campus appointment or upload your vaccination record today.
Announcements
Commencement Time!
Celebrate the graduates of Rutgers–New Brunswick and RBHS by getting involved in a variety of pre-event activities leading up to the virtual ceremonies of University Commencement on Sunday, May 16 at 2 p.m. Spread the word by liking, following, and sharing on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Find more fun ways to show your scarlet pride and support for the Class of 2021!
Vaccine Scheduling Assistance
The Rutgers COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Assistance Program offers assistance for all who suffer impairments or have technological difficulties. Although appointments are not guaranteed, help is available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to those in need, so call the program’s helpline at 848-209-1023 today!
RBHS-IDEA Grants
RBHS faculty, staff, students, and trainees are encouraged to apply online for the RBHS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (IDEA) innovation grants before the June 15th deadline. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 and support action-oriented, collaborative projects that promote an inclusive, diverse, and cohesive culture at RBHS through impactful work marked by measurable results. Proposals must be completed and submitted in one sitting, so learn more about the application process and the 2020 RBHS-IDEA grant awardees!
More to Know
Policy Update
The Office of the Secretary of the University announces a recent update to Policy 70.1.7: Rutgers Provisioning/Deprovisioning Policy (PDF). View other recent policy updates, including previous versions of updated policies, available at Recent Policy Updates. For specific questions about policy interpretations, contact the responsible office listed on each policy. For general questions, please email the Office of the Secretary of the University.
Chancellor Awards
The 2021 RBHS Chancellor Awards recognize and spotlight the extraordinary work of RBHS faculty and staff. This year’s awards also include several new categories for staff. Check out the celebration of last year’s awardees in the 2020 RBHS Chancellor Awards Ceremony video and learn more about the nomination process for these prestigious awards before the May 17th deadline.
Pfizer-BioNTech Clinical Trial
As the only NJ-based, clinical trial site for the global Pfizer-BioNTech research study, Rutgers is currently recruiting participants—up to 200 children, ages six months to 11 years—to help evaluate COVID-19 vaccine efficacy. Parents and pediatricians interested in having their children considered for inclusion in this clinical trial being conducted through the Pediatric Clinical Research Center at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School should complete the trial’s referral survey today.
State Policy Lab
In April, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education announced an award of $1 million to Rutgers to fund the development of an innovative, cutting-edge policy lab that will be located Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. The lab will serve as an innovation hub that will help inform public policy and encourage evidence-based decisions to address challenges facing residents and communities throughout the state. Read more in last month’s Rutgers Today article.
The Schrift Podcast
The Schrift-Ancient Teachings for Modern Times podcast analyzes the weekly reading of the Torah through the lens of the German literary canon and the teachings of meditation. Created by Steven Weinberg, a German PhD student, this mixture of German literature, Jewish studies, and meditation brings ancient wisdom into the modern world.
Ask Us Anything
What fiscal year deadlines are coming up?
As the end of the fiscal year 2021 (FY21) approaches, University Procurement Services has posted FY21 year-end guidance and scheduling on its website. Upcoming deadlines include Friday, June 4 for all requisitions over $50,000 to be approved and Friday, June 11 for all expenses and travel to be submitted and approved. Also, remember that all requests for closing or canceling a PO in Marketplace must be submitted via a PO Line Close/Cancel form to be processed.
What's Happening
RUMP Virtual Retreat
On Friday, May 14 at 8:45 a.m., all of the Rutgers community is invited to join the first Rutgers University Microbiome Program (RUMP) retreat, which is virtual, one-day retreat with more than 50 oral and poster presentations as well as a special keynote, guest speakers, and short faculty talks. Registration required to receive the schedule, abstracts, and instructions for the RUMP Annual Retreat 2021.
Discovering Utopia
On Friday, May 14 at noon, the Zimmerli Art Museum invites all to join a film screening of Discovering Utopia. This film, which is in Russian with English subtitles, explores the story of VNIITE, the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Technical Aesthetics, an organization formed in the USSR in 1962 that has been all but forgotten. Register today for this free, virtual event.
2021 Active Learning
On Wednesday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., faculty and staff are invited to this year’s Rutgers Active Learning Symposium, a day of virtual presentations, workshops, panel discussions, poster sessions, and opportunities to connect with experts, practitioners, and fans of active learning at Rutgers and beyond. Register to receive virtual event details to join.
SEBS: Microbiomes
On Thursday, May 20 at 12 p.m., join the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences’ Virtual Learning Experience: Microbiomes and the Effect of Urbanization with Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello, director of the NJ Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health and Henry Rutgers Professor of Microbiome and Health. This virtual discussion will address the effects of urbanization on the microbiome, which is a critical component of human health and immune system.
Awards & Honors
Joan W. Bennett
Joan W. Bennett, Distinguished Professor of Plant Biology and Pathology at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which this year in particular recognizes "extraordinary people who help solve the world’s most urgent challenges, create meaning through art, and contribute to the common good from every field, discipline, and profession."
Maurice Elias
Maurice Elias, professor of the Department of Psychology at the School of Arts and Sciences, received the Jane Bostrum Service to School Psychology Award from the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists, in recognition for his work on improving the lives of children and youth through his research and service in areas such as social-emotional character development, emotional intelligence, and evidence-based school interventions.
Seth Koven
Seth Koven, G.E. Lessing Distinguished Professor of History and Poetics at the School of Arts and Sciences, was awarded a 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship by the Board of Trustees of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, in recognition of his “prior achievement and exceptional promise.”
On The Move
English and Crocco
Susan English, executive assistant to the chancellor of Rutgers–New Brunswick, retired in April after more than 27 years of dedicated service. Susan previously worked in the offices of the Registrar, Provost, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and University Counsel, among others. Maria Crocco, formerly of the Office of General Counsel, has been named as the new executive assistant to the chancellor.
Melodee Lasky
Melodee Lasky, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs–health and wellness and associate vice president for student health at RBHS, will be retiring this year after 19 years of service. Read about her accomplishments and contributions during her tenure in Rutgers Today article.
Partho Sengupta
Partho Sengupta, will be joining Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) as the Henry Rutgers Professor of Cardiology and Chief of the Division of Cardiology at RWJMS, and Chief of Cardiology at RWJUH, assuming the positions effective July 1, 2021.