It is our highest priority to guarantee the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. The following answers to frequently asked questions are intended to give us clarity in the midst of the uncertainty and shifting plans for the Fall 2020 semester as we respond to the challenges caused by the virus. With this in mind, please note that we will provide updates and revisions to these plans during the course of the summer, so be sure to check regularly.
ALL PLANS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND DEPENDENT UPON FEDERAL, STATE, AND MUNICIPAL HEALTH REGULATIONS.
We are following the lead of Biola University and Talbot School of Theology wherever applicable. You may find additional information pertaining to the main campus at https://www.biola.edu/coronavirus.
However, we want to answer specific questions below concerning the program in Brooklyn. Should you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact D.N. at [email protected].
What is the Registration Deadline for the Fall Semester?
- Registration must be completed by August 18, 2020.
- Be advised that all classes will be offered online for the Fall semester beginning on September 1st, 2020.
- These courses will be implemented through Canvas, and instructions will be provided for those who are not familiar with this Learning Management System. Also see https://www.biola.edu/coronavirus/student-support/remote-learning.
When will students return to Brooklyn?
- No in-person classes will be provided during the Fall semester.
What educational options are available to students?
- Synchronous courses require students to attend regularly scheduled meetings during the semester via Zoom. This is the format for our Fall 2020 courses until it is possible to meet in-person.
- Asynchronous courses allow students to view lectures independently and participate in scheduled Video Conference calls when required. Only a few such courses are available to our students through Talbot. They must be individually approved as appropriate to the Feinberg program.
- Requirements for Field Education will be adjusted according to the ability of students to serve in various forms of ministry.
What precautions are being taken to ensure safety?
- All faculty, students, and staff will be given a thorough orientation to our Feinberg culture of safety and health practices, behaviors, and priorities.
- Social distancing, as prescribed by national, state, and city authorities, will be expected to be observed along with the requirement of wearing face masks.
- More detailed and specific regulations will be published on this site.
- Professors and other personnel will be shielded by suspended plexiglass barriers.
- There will be only one resident student living in each room with perhaps two students in the largest room in the living quarters.
- Rooms and community bathrooms will be sanitized regularly under the supervision of the Feinberg Resident Assistants.
- All common and high-touch areas will be routinely disinfected and cleaned by professional cleaning personnel.
- Hand sanitizers will be placed strategically throughout the building.
- Additional measures will be added as plans continue to develop.
- Compliance with Biola’s residence regulations is required. The extent of that compliance has yet to be determined.
- All students and professors will be required to be tested for COVID-19 and the antibody before in-person classes begin.
- It is understood that COVID-19 does not always present with symptoms. However, if symptoms are evident, the student or faculty member will self-quarantine and either teach or take the course via Zoom until tested and shown to be COVID-19 free.
- We will ask students living in the dorms to be circumspect in their movements outside of the actual Feinberg Center. The specific guidance will change depending upon the rate of COVID-19 infection in New York City.
- Temperatures will be taken on a regular basis.
- Random COVID-19 tests may be required if the rate of infection warrants this decision.
Will the semester schedule change?
- The semester will begin on September 1st and end on December 11 in accordance with the Biola campus schedule.
- At present, Jewish holiday services will be offered virtually at Beth Sar Shalom.
What about International Students?
- International students will not be returning to Brooklyn for the Fall semester.
Other questions?
- Our desire is to communicate as clearly and effectively as possible during these ever- changing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Do not hesitate to contact either the Program Director or the Administrative Assistant with your questions, and we will do our very best to help:
- Gregory Hagg, Program Director, [email protected].
- DeLora Neuschwander, Administrative Assistant, [email protected].
