UChicago Plans to be In-Person this Fall

To: Members of the University Community
From: Robert J. Zimmer, President, and Ka Yee C. Lee, Provost
Subject: Plans for Autumn Quarter
Date: March 29, 2021

Over the past year, people from across the University have worked diligently to help adjust our processes involving research, education and medical care to accommodate the individual and public health issues raised by the pandemic. These efforts have succeeded in greatly limiting the spread of COVID-19 on campus, even before the distribution of vaccines began in December.

The vast majority of our community has upheld the public health precautions in the UChicago Health Pact, and we have developed effective responses to the cases that have emerged, including through contact tracing and isolation of infected individuals. As vaccination has progressed on our campus and in surrounding communities, we have seen even fewer cases emerge, and we often have no students in on-campus isolation housing. We are hopeful that growing vaccination efforts across the country will help this trend continue.

These are some of the reasons why we currently feel confident in planning for a full resumption of activities on campus by the start of the new academic year in September. We intend to invite our full population of students to be in residence, classrooms and labs for the 2021 Autumn Quarter, if the state of the pandemic and the health of our community allow.

Reaching this goal fully will depend on many factors – some of which are within our control, and some of which are not. They include:

Continuing efforts to vaccinate a large portion of the U.S. population, including as many members of the UChicago community as possible

Wearing face coverings, limiting close contacts, and maintaining high rates of compliance with other public health precautions

Aligning our campus plans with public health guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, city and state authorities, and the guidance of experts from the University of Chicago Medicine

Continued low rates of infection in Chicago and beyond, which should reduce the chances of viral spread on our campus

Avoiding major new outbreaks of coronavirus variants

The Laboratory Schools have previously announced their commitment to bringing all students back for full-time, in-person education this fall. In addition, our goal is to return to campus all University staff employees in time for the Autumn Quarter, to support the full range of in-person activities and functions. The specific timing and processes for achieving in-person work may vary across schools, divisions, and offices, with an intention of returning all employees to campus in time for the Autumn Quarter.

After a year of remarkable upheaval, it is a welcome change to plan for the return to in-person engagement at the University of Chicago. We must keep precautions in place to prevent COVID-19 from overtaking these plans. But with everyone’s continued commitment, we will succeed in this next important task.

We will communicate more soon about plans for Autumn Quarter, along with additional details to come from schools, divisions, and the College. Thank you for supporting each other and our University community as we look forward to the next academic year.

And here is what this means for the College:

Dear Students in the College:

Earlier today, the University of Chicago announced that we plan to invite all students to be in residence, classrooms, and labs for the 2021 Autumn Quarter. I am delighted by this news, and I write to share the information specific to College students that is currently available.

Throughout the pandemic, our College community has demonstrated tremendous resilience and character. While the presence of COVID-19 will require continued adherence to health and safety protocols, the faculty and staff of the College look forward to welcoming students back to Chicago and resuming in-person learning. Following is an overview of the residential, academic, and programmatic planning efforts currently underway.

Housing & Residence Life
At this time, we anticipate that Housing and Residence Life will resume full occupancy of University residence halls, including double occupancy of rooms and shared use of bathroom facilities. All dining facilities will be open to offer dine-in as well as carryout services.

Academic Instruction
We are confident that the great majority of classroom and lab instruction will take place in-person.

Study Abroad
The College will resume its signature Study Abroad programs in the 2021-2022 academic year, in accordance with public health guidelines, international travel permissions, and University health and safety protocols. While we are optimistic that conditions will continue to improve, we are closely monitoring each program location, and we will provide updated information to participating students as it becomes available.

Career Advancement
At this time, Career Advancement plans to reinstate in-person career advising and programming. Virtual career advising will also continue to be available to allow flexibility to students, with online recruiting opening in early August 2021 to help students access as many opportunities as possible. We anticipate that employers likely will use a hybrid recruiting model with both in-person and virtual information sessions and interviewing.

Over the next months, the College will provide additional details related to Orientation activities for the Class of 2025, new curricular opportunities, College programming, and activities provided through Campus and Student Life and other campus partners. In the meantime, I encourage you to monitor the UChicago Forward website for all updates and information related to Autumn planning.

As a scholarly community, we benefit immeasurably from the wealth of personal exchanges that take place on our campus, both formal and informal, each day of the academic year. I am delighted that we will soon be able to resume these personal experiences and interactions. Until then, my continued best wishes for an enjoyable and intellectually rewarding Spring Quarter.

Sincerely,
John W. Boyer
Dean of the College

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