Lipscomb announces plans for fully in-person fall semester experience
Kim Chaudoin |
Lipscomb University officials have announced plans to return to a fully in-person learning and living campus experience this fall. Fall 2021 classes begin Aug. 23.
Since the beginning of this pandemic, Lipscomb University has invested more than $6 million in preparations and resources to protect and serve its students, faculty and staff. This has included hiring additional staff, purchasing supplies and equipment, and the installation of state-of-the art virtual technology among numerous other investments. This has resulted in a community that has been safe and has met its goal to have in-person classes in the fall and spring semesters.
“With this experience and the resources that we have invested over the last year to manage the virus, we are confidently looking forward to a more traditional campus experience this fall as we welcome our new and returning students,” said Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry. “Although it has not been a ‘normal’ year, the Lipscomb community has been resilient and tenacious. We have learned a great deal about managing a virus of this magnitude and have successfully protected the health and safety of our community and we have a strong foundation upon which to prepare for the start of a new academic year this fall.”
The university’s current plans for the fall semester include:
- teaching in classrooms at capacity,
- additional residential housing capacity,
- open dining halls and eating venues,
- fully staffed campus student services,
- expanded slate of student events, activities and programming, and
- more fans attending athletic and campus events.
Lowry said university officials will continue to monitor federal, state and local health guidelines, and will adjust its plans as necessary, as it makes plans to return to a full in-person experience in the fall. Any changes in these plans will be communicated at least 30-days in advance unless changes in governmental regulations or CDC recommendations require more immediate action.
“Our priority from the beginning of this pandemic has been to provide a safe learning and living experience for our students and employees,” he said. “That goal will not change as we prepare for our return this fall in a much more robust way. Our students’ academic progress and learning are of utmost importance to us and we are committed to creating an environment where we are all contributing to their success.”
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, Lipscomb University extended spring break and transitioned to remote learning on Monday, March 30, 2020. On Aug. 24, 2020 Lipscomb University safely resumed in-person, on-campus teaching, learning and residential life for the 2020-21 academic year. Classes have continued to meet in person since that time.
“We have not missed a beat as together we have turned challenges into opportunities, thriving in a way that will set the tone for our future in this new world,” said Lowry. “This is the result of the hard work and sacrifice of every member of the Lipscomb community to do their part to protect the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.”
Lipscomb University recently announced plans to offer a series of in-person commencement ceremonies May 7-8. They will comply with COVID-19 protocols and will officially mark the end of the 2020-2021 academic year.