Stevens Opens Jonas Hall to Those on the Frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Stevens has collaborated with the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management to make rooms available in Jonas Hall for members of the Hoboken Fire Department and healthcare professionals affiliated with Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC).

In early April, Stevens’ Division of Facilities and Campus Operations readied the building to turn over to the City of Hoboken and HUMC for up to six weeks, with the option to extend as needed.  

The residence hall will help accommodate medical personnel from other areas who have been contracted to assist HUMC in anticipation of a surge in COVID-19 cases, as well as provided space for firefighters to practice social distancing while on shift. The fire department typically has 32 staff in the building each day, and with emergency responders across New Jersey and the region having high rates of COVID-19, this will allow for them to remain in isolated rooms while on shift.  HUMC will use up to 30 beds to house nurses who live outside of Hoboken.

“This is what Hoboken is all about. It’s about people in difficult times coming together,” Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla told News12 New Jersey. 

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also thanked Stevens during his daily COVID-19 briefing on April 10 and posted a shout out on his Twitter page, saying “A big shout-out to @FollowStevens and President Nariman Farvardin for opening their Jonas Hall dormitory so the folks at Hoboken University Medical Center and @HobokenFire can have a place to recharge. Thank you to everyone at Stevens for thinking about their Hoboken neighbors.”