President Repollet Hosts Spring Semester Town Hall

By: Chelsey Jaipersaud | Published by April 24, 2021

 

President Lamont Repollet addressed student concerns about the return to campus, safety protocols and the possible mandate for student vaccinations at the Spring semester virtual Town Hall.

Students were invited to attend the event and provide feedback on issues that arose from the Spring 2021 semester along with suggestions on how the University can fix the problem. Each speaker that signed up was allotted three minutes and if they weren’t selected to speak due to time constraints they had the option to submit written comments.

“We may not have all the answers right now because we may be developing those answers or be in the process of coming to some resolution,” Repollet said.

Repollet ensured that he would be trying to answer the questions to the best of his ability and anything that was not answered in that moment will be answered soon.

Sophomore Alexandria Calpo addressed her concern for the safety of students being that commuters will also have the option of returning in the Fall.

Repollet referred to the University Restart Plan which talks about risk mitigations and encouraged social distancing especially in the classrooms. Repollet further explained that the CDC required six feet last year and are now requiring three feet, therefore the university will be in the middle, to about four feet.

Along with basic precautions to keep everyone safe, Repollet also encouraged vaccinations, but has not yet decided whether they will be mandatory or not.

“If I’m going to move to mandate, I’m now providing people an opportunity to have that vaccination done here on campus,” Repollet said. “Then I feel more comfortable saying that I have the environment for you and you have an opportunity.”

Repollet explained that the biggest fear he had was asking everyone on campus to get the vaccine and not being able to provide access to get it done.

However, because the University has a strong partnership with the county of Union and the fact that they are hosting a vaccination site, they have been working to try to get an opportunity for faculty, staff and eventually students to receive the vaccine at Kean.

Repollet said he will have answers about  whether or not the university will mandate the vaccine within the next few weeks. There will be an announcement in regard to vaccinations for the faculty and staff and they will continue that conversation about vaccination opportunities for students.

Students also questioned if having remote sessions during the Fall semester would still be an option.

“We made a decision to go in person next semester and we do offer online courses, I’m never going to say that we will not have a hybrid,” Repollet said.

Tanvi Tandan, serving as Senior Class Secretary addressed a concern the senior class had in regard to not receiving their cap and gowns on time.

“It is my expectation there will be caps and gowns for students delivered at the appropriate time,” Repollet said. “I have not had that conversation with the commencement committee to talk about that, but that’s one thing we will look into.”

Repollet stressed the importance of having a commencement ceremony and made it clear that the University will make sure students have their cap and gowns. Repollet was very confident that students would receive their cap and gowns.

All further information regarding student concerns will be up within 72 hours. Anything that was not answered during the meeting will be answered within the next few days and it will be posted on the University website: www.kean.edu .

“I really hope and pray that whatever decision we make in regards to in person instruction and vaccinations, you feel comfortable enough that this school is doing their very best to provide a safe learning environment,” Repollet said.

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