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Dear Rider Community,

Next week, students and faculty will resume the spring semester, not from the familiar surroundings of campus but through remote and alternative instruction. This is not how any of us envisioned Rider’s spring semester.

While the coronavirus outbreak has required a major shift for all of us, it is particularly challenging for those students who carry additional burdens, including those who are too far from home to safely travel at this time; those who were in foster care and are now considered financially independent; and those who are homeless. Many of these students do not readily have access to basic necessities like food or toiletries or the technology required to successfully complete their academic requirements as we move to remote learning.

During this extraordinary time, these students look to us; we are their refuge. For those still living on both campuses, Rider has been responsive to their needs by altering living spaces to promote social distancing, continuing food service, offering grab-and-go bags of essential items at the Rider Resource Pantry, and loaning laptops to students who do not have technology access.

Unfortunately, as this public health crisis continues, we expect our students’ needs to increase through the end of the semester, and the University is already aware of numerous instances in which Rider students are struggling financially due to the coronavirus impact on them and their families. Many of you have asked how you can help. Thank you for generously thinking of others during this challenging time. For those with the ability to do so, you can support students by , described below.

Rider Cares Fund
When Rider students on both campuses are impacted by unexpected and devastating circumstances, the Rider Cares Fund provides economic support to help bridge students’ most critical needs.

Rider Resource Pantry
Funds directed to the Rider Resource Pantry are used to provide nourishment to students who struggle to eat consistently and to give them access to dry goods, toiletries, laundry supplies and other necessities. The Pantry is experiencing consistent demand during this difficult time.

Rider and Westminster Scholarship Funds
The Rider and Westminster Scholarship Funds support students with financial need, assuring they may continue their studies. During this fraught economic time, students and their families are already sharing heartbreaking stories of livelihoods lost and great economic hardship.

Rider’s Inclusive Excellence Plan outlines the University’s institutional commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In unprecedented times like these, our collective support of students who are underrepresented, marginalized and/or under resourced is more important than ever. As we meet the ongoing needs of the most vulnerable in our community, we impart a lasting lesson to our students: There is no such thing as a lone Bronc. That commitment is now being tested, and in the weeks and months ahead, we will all need to lean on each other for support. We can do so with the comfort and knowledge that we will see this through together.

The health and safety of all members of our community are foremost in our thoughts. Thank you for keeping the most vulnerable among us in yours.

Stay safe. Be well.

Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D.
President

Leanna Fenneberg, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs