I assume those parents who have kids at UChicago have been getting this update already. So this link is for admitted students and prospective students.
In the latest email sent out by Provost Ka Yee Lee, there are two items that may affect all admitted and prospective students.
Quote
"1. We are suspending University-sponsored events and gatherings of more than 100 people effective immediately through April 15. At this time some scheduled performances in the arts and athletic events may be held with limitations on audience; please check ahead with the presenting organization. Any events that are moving forward should take into account the CDC’s guidance for event planners. Events with fewer than 100 attendees, and those involving vulnerable populations, should be approached with care based on the changing situation. Classes are not included in this guidance and will continue as scheduled, with the exception of courses affected by travel restrictions.
In a similar vein, we are asking schools, divisions, and departments to consider postponing on-campus visits to a later date when there may be lower risk."
End quote
What the two items together seem to imply admitted student events for Class of 2024, which are normally held in April, will likely be cancelled. And UChicago undergrad admission tour schedule may be severely curtailed or even cancelled altogether.
IMHO the admitted student days are just not going to happen this year. It takes China at least 2 months with rather draconian measures to slow down the infection rate. I doubt that by May everything will be completely normal in Chicago.
Admitted Student Days are crowded affairs. And a lot of physical contact. Now imagine Dean Nondorf has to do “Wuhan shakes” with everyone
More importantly, if there are still lingering cases by mid May, the University is opening itself up for all the lawsuits if any admitted students and their parents get sick after the event. Granted they may actually get infected during the trip to and from Chicago. But that won’t stop a personal injury lawyer from suing the University.
This is extraordinary time. Students and parents just have to make decision without the usual fanfare. That is just life.
IMO, it’s not even necessary to broach the subject of whether UChicago would be gambling with everyone’s health if/when a prospie day is offered. Admits and their families can rest assured that, regardless of what decision is made, it’s for the best.
Anyway, admit days somewhere are going to be cancelled or rescheduled to an inconvenient time for some. That’s what happens when a serious monkey-wrench is tossed into everyone’s normal (and usually packed) schedule. So admits who will still be deciding in the spring very likely won’t have quite the same information set they would have had in prior years. Yes, that’s Life.
UChicago’s new student housing portal will open in early May, apparently, so at this point it looks like business as usual for deadlines.
Any thoughts or information on what might happen to current students for the Spring quarter? I read the email sent to parents, but it was rather vague. Of course, they probably just don’t know yet. The student buzz around campus is online classes after Spring Break, but kids can spread rumors quickly. I’m wondering if my daughter should cancel her Spring Break plans and fly home, or if she should cancel Spring Break plans and stay on campus.
@lilchaz University has no formal announcement yet but if I have to bet, in person classes will be canceled for spring quarter. Many of the T10 schools have already announced in person classes will be canceled for the next couple of months. And a few of them have explicitly ordered students vacate dorm and get off campus. I just can’t see UChicago being the lone holdout. My advice would be to tell your DD to come home with most of her belongings. My guess is that in person classes likely won’t re-start until Fall Quarter this year.
Am I not reading that letter correctly? @lilchaz where do they say all the students have the option to stay on campus over break? There are those who have plans to do so anyway, but that occurs every break (international students, etc.).
This is the paragraph about housing in residence hall:
“If you must travel over the spring break period, please note that evolving public health measures could make it difficult to return to campus in a timely way. We advise travelers to bring along any items that you may need if your return to campus is delayed. As usual, the University will provide spring break housing for undergraduates currently in College residence halls who need to remain on campus over break.”
Poring over the similar announcement yesterday from our friends up in Evanston, I find it contains similar message: dorms are opened, cancellation of school sponsored trips and large gatherings and no definitive plan towards spring quarter.
Post #7 is just my personal guess. But given what is going on around the nation’s major universities, I can’t see how the normal in person classes can resume after spring break at U of C.
As 85bears46 quoted, the letter says that the University will provide Spring Break housing for undergraduates currently in a dorm, but normally that means closing all dorms except I-house. I feel the university is almost hinting at not having in-person classes after the break, when they say to take all necessary items with them.
I too am waiting for further instructions, as I do think it will be coming very soon. I guess I better start looking at plane tickets for my daughter to come home. I understand the reasoning behind all of this, but what a sad time for all of these kids, and not just at UChicago.
My son said his dorm is closing for Spring Break. He’s not in I-House. The I-House Spring Break option seems to be similar to what they’ve done other years. I don’t think there are any changes there (ie extending the option to everyone who is in a dorm). Usually spaces are limited and you need to reserve in advance, but maybe that’s changed?
I think the default expectation is that everyone leave campus except for those students who were planning to stay anyway (in IHouse). The “travelling” they are referring to is just a general warning that things might change daily in your locale, wherever you are, so don’t be leaving your inhaler or your favorite pillow back in the dorm. Take it with you. That’s how I read it.
Update to above: my son confirmed that they have NOT currently opened up additional housing over break due to the Coronavirus. The on-campus housing referred to was what they do every year. Of course, this can always change, but the letter wasn’t referring to new or modified options for spring break housing.
UChicago to RHs: Spring Classes Will Be “Distance Learning;” Students Must Vacate Housing in 11 Days
The University of Chicago told residents heads it will cancel in-person classes and ask students to leave campus housing in under two weeks.
I can’t get into the Maroon website either. Must be tons of students logging in.
Does anybody have an email / letter re plans for after spring break? My S just texted and told me Spring is online, but no other info. The link to Chicago Maroon is not working - website is down.
Thanks, @JBStillFlying I just spoke to my S; it seems they (the students) have to completely move out. So sad; he was having a good time, and even likes I-House!
