Has anyone heard any news (or rumors) about campus opening for Fall 2020 or 1st semester going online?
@4Family4 There is no news on this matter. Any rumors would be unfounded.
@4Family4 - the first step is Indiana coming out of ‘stay-at-home’. I believe they will start Phase 1 on May 1. We will see how that goes. My DS '22 is concerned that Fall might not be in person. It is getting tough on many of them. But, the school has not made any announcements at this point.
Personally I think it’s too early to make that call. The Spring semester hasn’t even concluded nor have they been able to schedule move out. I do know room picks for dorms for next year are as planned. I know many rooms in Sorin loft because the rooms are so small. Usually you are required to disassemble loft before you move out…this year they are leaving lofts in place for whoever picks room for next year. Although Illinois extended their shelter in place until end of May there are some relaxed circumstances…I would expect Indiana to do the same. I think it’s just too soon for the university to decide anything definitive. I know first phase summer is online but I dont think they’ve decided on second phase summer yet either.
"Here’s an alphabetical list of colleges that have either disclosed their plans, mentioned them in news reports, or set a deadline for deciding:
Beloit College — shifting to a “module based semester” to allow flexibility to move toward either online or in-person classes
Boston University — leaning toward in-person classes
Brown University — leaning toward in-person classes
California Baptist University — “planning to resume on-ground classes for the fall semester”
California State University at Fullerton — “Our goal is face-to-face, on-campus instruction,” but faculty are being asked to prepare to start the fall semester teaching online.
Chapman University — “optimistically planning for a safe return in the fall with social distancing and safety constraints in place”
Centre College — block-scheduling courses in shorter segments to allow flexibility to shift toward either in-person or remote learning
Christopher Newport University — “We are planning for our classes to resume on campus in the fall“ depending on the state of coronavirus and guidance from state and federal authorities.
Claremont Colleges — “Committed” to in-person fall classes, but no final decision expected till July 1
Clemson University — exploring a range of scenarios, from in-person classes to entirely online
Cornell University — no decision expected until June
Drury University — planning to reopen in the fall
East Tennessee State University — hopes to make a decision by early June
Emory University — likely to decide by early May, according to the student newspaper
George Mason University — says more information could come by early June
George Washington University — will provide “a more detailed communication about our plans for operation by May 15”
Harvard University — “Harvard will be open,” but the provost says “we will need to prepare for a scenario in which much or all learning will be conducted remotely.”
Haverford College — “We expect on-campus learning to resume for the fall semester.”
Iowa Board of Regents — planning “a full normal operation” for its universities, including the Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa — “In person classes, reopening of residence halls” in the fall
Macalester College — “Our strong preference is to complete two full semesters of on-campus instruction,” but says academic calendar may be tweaked and — only if necessary — instruction could be online
Marquette University — “will resume campus operations this fall if governmental and medical authorities say it is safe to do so”
Merrimack College — planning to be “residential and open in the fall”
Montana State University — planning for the return of students in the fall, subject to guidance from a task force
North Carolina State University — “We fully expect to have our new and continuing students on campus for the fall semester.”
North Dakota State University — plans to reopen in the fall
Oakland University — “a hybrid approach that includes both face-to-face and remote instruction” in the fall
Ohio State University — leaning toward in-person classes, with a final decision by late June
Purdue University — planning to start fall semester in person if testing and contact tracing allows
San Jose State University — planning to offer online and hybrid courses
Shenandoah University — plans to make a decision by around July 1
Southern New Hampshire University — planning to allow students to move into dorms, and is offering full tuition scholarships to incoming freshmen
Stanford University — expects to make a decision in May, but might delay fall quarter till winter
Trine University — planning to reopen in the fall
University of Arizona — planning to hold in-person classes
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville — plans to announce around June 1
University of Colorado at Boulder — leaning toward a hybrid plan; will announce by June
University of Connecticut — no decision till summer
University of Central Florida — leaning toward in-person classes
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — “We are planning for in-person classes to begin as scheduled."
University of Maine system — planning for in-person classes
University of Mary Washington — intends to start in-person instruction in August but says “we should also be prepared for the unknown”
University of Maryland system – planning to start in-person, but some larger classes may be online
University of Michigan — hoping to hold classes in-person
University of Missouri — planning for in-person classes, though the system president said he is becoming “less optimistic” about fully opening in the fall
University of Nebraska system — The system “expects to hold classes on its campuses in the fall.” The chancellor of the flagship University of Nebraska at Lincoln wrote in a letter on April 24, “UNL will be open in the fall for in-person instruction.”
University of Oklahoma — “Our intention is to return to in-person educational operations on all three campuses by this fall, offering traditional instruction and residential life."
University of Oregon — The university is aiming for in-person instruction in the fall, but the president says “it is unlikely that our fall quarter will look just like last fall.”
University of Portland — The university’s goal is to operate in-person, but the president said it may adjust the academic calendar and “conduct some or all of our instruction in an online format if absolutely necessary.”
University of Pittsburgh — says “back to normal probably is not likely” for the fall
University of South Carolina — decision expected by June 15
University of Tennessee at Knoxville — eyeing three scenarios: in-person instruction, a fully online semester, or a hybrid of the two
University of Texas at Austin — decision expected by the end of June
University of Virginia — plans an update on fall plans by mid June
Utah System of Higher Education — intends to resume in-person classes in the fall
Virginia Commonwealth University — “We have every intention of opening our fall semester in-person as long as it is safe to do so”
Virginia Tech — plans to announce in early June
Wake Forest University — “We plan to conduct fall semester classes on campus.”
Washington State University — planning for in-person classes
Wayne State University — leaning toward starting fall classes online
West Virginia University — exploring a range of scenarios, from in-person to entirely online
William Jewell College — intends to open for fall semester
Williams College — plans to announce by July 1
Yale University — decision expected by early July"
Notre Dame to announce fall semester plans mid-June
"With other universities making announcements regarding the 2020 fall semester, the Office of the President said in an email to faculty that while there are no definite plans at this time, an update will be provided by mid-June.
The University has created several groups which will work together to plan for the reopening of campus, the email signed by University President Fr. John Jenkins, Provost Thomas Burish and provost-elect Marie Lynn Miranda said. The Academic Year Continuity Working Group will consider alternative approaches for the start of the academic year.
“Given the uncertainty about future conditions, the Working Group members are developing plans that maximize flexibility, considering factors such as the start date of the academic year, modes of delivery of instruction, and options for making changes during the course of the year as circumstances change,” the email said."
https://ndsmcobserver.com/2020/04/notre-dame-to-announce-fall-semester-plans-mid-june/
Earlier this week an epidemiologist from ND said isolation measures will need to be in place all summer and not completely go away until there is a vaccine. https://news.nd.edu/news/new-research-suggests-us-may-be-at-critical-juncture-of-pandemic-response/
I am personally not a fan of this approach. But, given that this report comes from an ND research center, I am afraid the university will be more likely to adopt it. I saw the interview the President of Purdue University did. He feels it is safe for his students to come back. The student demographic of 18-25 year olds is at very low risk for poor outcomes if they contract the virus. He is more concerned about his staff, they are more at risk than the students. He plans to charge/challenge/motivate his students with helping to protect the professors and staff who are at greater risk.
Here’s a Holy Cross announcement about their fall plans.
https://ndsmcobserver.com/2020/05/holy-cross-announces-intent-to-begin-in-person-instruction-aug-24/
@usma87 “The student demographic of 18-25 year olds is at very low risk for poor outcomes if they contract the virus. He is more concerned about his staff, they are more at risk than the students.”
Maybe the professors could teach behind plexiglass wearing a face mask, similar to how the grocery stores are currently keeping the cashiers safe in my town 
I think if Purdue brings students back to campus, that will only help the case for ND to do the same.
I respect what the ND epidemiologist says, but ND made it clear in their letter to the faculty that they will be looking at many different factors/opinions that support ALL aspects of the ND mission. And the Purdue opinion that 18-25 year olds are low risk is a very good point that hopefully the university is taking into strong consideration.
Maybe it makes more sense for some at risk professors to be virtual with TA’s running the logistics of in person classes. Perhaps they can make more sections of certain core classes so that there are no big lectures. I think there might be some creative solutions to some of the challenges of bringing the students back.
I’m remaining optimistic that they will get the kids back on campus. I think they will do all that they can to make that happen. One of the reasons my son chose ND (he’s an incoming freshman) is because of the strong sense of community and sense of family. In fact, that was his number one reason and was the topic of his “Why Notre Dame” essay.
I could see a strategy that has a combination of on-line and in-person classes each week. This could retain the “feel” of on campus learning, while balancing the risks. It also might make it possible to schedule most classes in larger rooms as such rooms would have less intensive usage with fewer in-person classes going on. Such larger rooms could provide spacing for students and room between the teacher and students. All students would have the same resources and exams could be monitored.
The vaccine is a long time coming. Typically it takes years to create one. And we have 7.8 billion people on the planet to give it to. After discovery, the vaccine needs to be manufactured and then decisions made as to how to allocate it among the population. I honestly don’t see how Spring 2021 is going to be any different than Fall 2020 at this point from a safety standpoint - even under the unlikely case that a vaccine is developed by January 2021 (the earliest possible time according to Dr. Fauci). ND and ND families have some tough decisions to make. But I think all are best served by making these soon and implementing them - rather than believing that things will be different/better in 6 months.
Get the kids back to campus. And optimize the experience as best as possible. As noted above, the ND community and family are what distinguish the university. We can make it happen working together.
I agree combining on-line and in-person each week might be a great way to cut density in the classroom down @CCSavant. My daughter (a junior at a different college) thought they should alternate. So if your class meets M and W, half the class comes in person on Mondays and the other half comes in person on Wednesdays and each lecture/classroom experience is also available through zoom or whatever the technology we have that can make this happen. I think they can get creative and figure out a way to get the kids back on campus. There will be some risks, but there will be risks everywhere.
@CCSavant I agree. Unfortunately COVID is here to stay, and as long as each university does their best to avoid the risks and high risk categories, then I think schools should re-open. One thing this should do is help people re-prioritize important things. Be grateful for your education, friends, family etc. The extra pieces of college that students often complain about should be lessened. My guess is that once students return, people will complain less about the weather, nightlife, lack of things to at ND, parietals, single sex dorms etc. Within a month, everything got taken away. I actually think that is the silver lining here… people will realize what is important, and what isn’t.
An interesting stat that has come out of New York City, obviously one of the hardest hit areas. The hospitalization rate for 18-44 year-olds was 0.1%. Hospitalization rates are not widely known. This number hit home to me. Many people will get the virus, but very few in the demo we are talking about will require hospitalization. My source is a Stanford Doctor in favor of lifting restrictions -https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/494034-the-data-are-in-stop-the-panic-and-end-the-total-isolation
Also, I posted a comment on another thread -information on next year is still illusive. My DS is now a rising junior. He just got an email today that they will be scheduling move out appointments for a three week window starting May 22nd. In my mind, that’s a step in the right direction. I am hoping the ND info webcast scheduled for tomorrow will shed some light on plans for the Fall or at least when they hope to announce something definitive.
Notre Dame is scheduled to announce specific on-campus fall semester plans by the middle of June.
These are all great points @usma87 thanks for sharing.
I hope that ND doesn’t feel pressured into deciding too soon. I feel like if they feel pressure to decide before necessary, they may err on the side of caution. This is not the outcome most of us are hoping for.
U of South Carolina tweeted yesterday that they are opening as scheduled in Mid-August on campus. I realize that each school is different, but I hope this is a good sign.
I’m personally not convinced that society is safer with the students telecommuting. Especially if restrictions are lifted and they are socializing anyway with their hometown friends.
Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College will be closely aligned in their decisions. Holy Cross and Saint Mary’s have made their intentions public already, Notre Dame will follow in due course.
https://ndsmcobserver.com/2020/05/saint-marys-announces-intention-to-reopen-campus-in-the-fall/
https://ndsmcobserver.com/2020/05/holy-cross-announces-intent-to-begin-in-person-instruction-aug-24/
Assuming the kids are on campus in the fall, what do you think will happen with football?
@collegemomjam Assuming students will be on campus, there surely will be ND football, with additional precautions - those numbers speak for themselves:
Football Revenue & Program Profit for fiscal year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019:
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Univ. of Texas-Austin Revenue = $156.1 million / Profit = $112.9 million
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Georgia $123.1million revenue / $73.9 million profit
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Michigan $122.3m / $74.9m
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Notre Dame $115.5m / $65.3m ?
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Ohio State $115.1m / $55m
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Penn State $100.1m / $51.6m
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Auburn $95.2m / $47.4m
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Oklahoma $94.8m / $51.3m
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Alabama $94.6m / $69.7m
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Nebraska $94.3m / $59.8m
August 10th start!