A Message from Dr. Barbara Gaba - April 27, 2020

April 27, 2020

Dear College Community:

First and foremost, I hope that my letter finds students, faculty, and staff, as well as your families, healthy and safe. We can weather any storm if we remain healthy, both physically and mentally. Each is equally important to make it through this challenging time caused by COVID-19. I urge you to review atlanticcape.edu/coronavirus for updated resources available to you.

Online instruction continues to the end of the semester and through the first Summer session that begins May 18. We are open (remotely) for registration for the Summer and Fall semesters. While we look forward to opening our campuses sometime soon, we continue to follow Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders regarding campus closure and social distancing. I will update you as we receive new information.

As we near the home stretch of the Spring semester, I urge students to stay focused as best as possible on the goal(s) set at the beginning of the semester since you are so close to completion. For many, this means graduation, the ultimate accomplishment.

I want to update you on a few things:

• In response to students’ concerns about grading because of COVID-19, Atlantic Cape is offering a “Pass/Withdrawal” grading option to students enrolled in courses for the Spring 2020 term. Students will be allowed to make the change in their final grade through Monday, June 22, 2020. The full announcement is posted at atlanticcape.edu/news/2020/04/2020-grading.php.

• To assist students in need, The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Atlantic Cape $1.98M to distribute to eligible students in the form of emergency relief grants (50% of the college’s total CARES Act relief funding). The emergency grants to students may only be used to cover specific out-of-pocket expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 (food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). Students who qualify will be receiving emails in the next few days to complete the “COVID-19 Emergency Funding Grant Application”. We will also post information on our website in the next few days.

• Sadly, the College’s major scholarship fundraising event, the Restaurant Gala, has been canceled due to COVID-19. We continue to reach out to our generous supporters, sponsors, and ticket holders to donate their contributions directly to the Foundation’s scholarship and emergency funds. The outpouring of support has been amazing.

• The most anticipated event, Commencement, has also been canceled as we continue to practice social distancing. Working with our Student Government Association (SGA), we are planning a virtual celebration and possibly a more formal Commencement in upcoming months. Stay tuned for more details.

Together we will get through this tough time. I am inspired by our students, faculty, and staff as we persevere through this unprecedented time in our history. Please stay well and be safe.

We are Atlantic Cape Strong!

Sincerely,

Dr. Barbara Gaba
President