By|| Ellyn Fritz, Isabel Paris, and Ruby Van Dyk: News Editor, Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief

Today, F&M released its long-awaited decision regarding its plan for the upcoming fall semester. In an email to students, President Barbara Altmann announced that F&M will be welcoming back students to campus in August to participate in both a hybrid learning and residential experience. The information was delivered to students in an email that also directed students to a webpage set up by the college that details the Fall 2020 plan. The College Reporter has compiled the most important takeaways from the announcement. 

  • Students will have the option to decide in conjunction with their families and health care providers on whether returning to campus for residential life is in their best interest 
  •  The cost of tuition and the credits awarded will be the same in person and online, but for those attending remotely, there will be no room and board fees

Move-in procedure

  • There will be a staggered approach for return to campus
  • Phases of move-in leading up to august 26 first day of classes 
    • Announcement of these dates by mid-July
  • “Students should not bring all of their possessions to campus”
  • It is possible that students will have to move out rapidly amidst changing circumstances, the college suggests that students should be prepared to do so 

Health

  • Students will be tested upon arrival to campus, a mandatory quarantine for 1-2 days until results come back is likely
  • Students will have to self-screen daily, the administration is investigating app technology to support this

Housing

  • Administration will be conducting a survey of incoming and returning students on their intentions/preferences for the fall
  • Students are asked to complete survey by Monday July 6 in order for the college to then make further residential plans 
  • No news of whether or not students will be guaranteed single rooms so far

Dining

  • Physical distancing in and out of the dining hall
  • Grab and go meals will be offered to students 
  • Food service apps for timing meals

Athletics 

  • The Centennial Conference will be announcing a decision on whether or not athletics will reconvene in the near future, other liberal arts colleges such as Williams College in Massachusetts have canceled the entirety of fall sports

Extracurricular activities

  • The Student Affairs Office is currently working on providing students the opportunity to resume their extracurricular activities within health guidelines

The following zoom webinars will be held for student and families in the upcoming days: 

  • Zoom Webinar for FPS

Thursday, July 2

12:00-1:00 p.m. EST

  • Zoom Webinar for First-Year Students & Families

Monday, July 6

5:30-6:30 p.m. EST

  • Zoom Webinar for Class of 2021

Tuesday, July 7

12:00-1:00 p.m. EST

  • Zoom Webinar for Class of 2022 & Class of 2023

Thursday, July 9

2:00-1:00 p.m. EST

  • Zoom Webinar for Parents of 2021, 2022 & 2023

Thursday, July 9

5:30-6:30 p.m. EST

The above information summarizes the main findings from today’s announcement. As students look forward to the fall semester, it’s clear that the lack of specificity in today’s announcement is a product of the fact in the face of a global pandemic, some things remain unpredictable. 

Junior Ellyn Fritz is the News Editor, her email is efritz@fandm.edu

Isabel Paris is the Assistant Managing Editor, her email is iparis@fandm.edu

Ruby Van Dyk is the Editor-in-Chief, her email is rvandyk@fandm.edu

By TCR