On June 20th, 2020, Brescia University President, Fr. Larry Hostetter, announced the plans for reopening campus for the fall semester. These plans were developed in consultation with faculty, staff, and students, along with higher education specialists and are based on the best advice Brescia has received from state and local health care professionals. These plans are subject to be modified as the pandemic evolves and guidance from government health officials change.
The principle that guided our decision making this spring remains in effect: safety for students, faculty, and staff with the least amount of disruption to education as possible.
- We will begin the semester early with the first day of classes on August 11 and the semester being completely finished by Thanksgiving. Fall break will be cancelled this year so that we can complete all of the instructional weeks required by the Department of Education. Many scientists are predicting another surge of COVID-19 cases in the late fall. I hope this doesn’t happen but we need to be prepared if it does. This will allow for the least amount of disruption to the educational experience if we need to shut down again late in the semester.
- Orientation for new students will be modified to ensure safety while also providing the necessary experience and information for new students to have a successful start to the new year.
- We are working with local health department officials to determine if and how testing of students might occur in the fall. All students, faculty, and staff will be asked to conduct a daily screening to ensure they do not have symptoms. Anyone with coronavirus related symptoms may be asked to be tested and self-isolate until results are in. Residential students who test positive will be provided with housing separated from the rest of the student body with meals and other needs delivered directly to them. Information for medical care and appropriate assistance will be provided. Commuter students who test positive will be asked to remain at home until no longer ill. The University will cooperate with local health officials for any requested participation in contact tracing, which would identify potential exposure and help limit spread of the virus.
- Public areas and bathrooms of the residence halls will be sanitized twice daily. Students will be provided guidance and training for best practices regarding good hygiene and proper social distancing. Residential students will be required to wear masks when not in their rooms. Social gatherings will be limited to the number allowed by current government guidelines. Outside visitors to residence halls will be limited. The student code of conduct will be updated to reflect these new realities
- We fully expect to have a fall athletic season. However, at this time we have not yet determined the exact dates for each season nor any limitations that may need to be in place. We do expect that any student-athlete that will be playing will be tested for COVID-19 within 48 hours of that game or match (with the exception of esports). There may also be travel restrictions to limit the potential for exposure. As we receive additional guidance from our conference and national association, we will be able to provide more information.
- For at least the beginning of the semester the dining hall will be fully functional but with a grab and go system. We plan some limited dine in options for breakfast and dinner. This may change as restrictions are eased.
- Although certainly different, we fully expect to have a vibrant student life program available to our students. We want to provide as dynamic of a campus experience as possible given the situation.
- Regarding academics, on-ground classes will meet in person only once a week, with the remainder of the week dedicated to working on assignments through our learning management system. Again, should another surge of illness occur and we were forced to shut down, this would be least disruptive to the educational experience. Because of federal regulations, on-ground international students have unique requirements, which will be communicated via email from the Student Affairs Office.
- All on-ground courses would have three options for participation. (We are calling this “mixed enrollment.) A student could (a) attend in person, (b) attend remotely in real time, or (c) attend virtually by watching the recording. While most students would be expected to attend in person, there may be coronavirus related reasons for the other options, including the need for a student to self-isolate should they have been exposed. Faculty would be present for the once-a-week meeting unless there was a coronavirus related reason for them to teach remotely. Again, on-ground international students have unique requirements that will be explained in a separate email from Student Affairs.
- Classrooms will be assigned to allow for sufficient distance between students and each other and students and professors. At this time we are requiring all to wear masks or plastic face shields while in class. Students who refuse to wear masks or abide by social distancing rules will be asked to participate remotely. Wipes and hand sanitizer will be readily available in order for desks to be wiped down and encourage good hygiene.
- Strictly online courses offered through BUonline will proceed as usual. However, we will offer flexibility to students who have unique circumstances because of coronavirus related issues.
- All members of the Brescia community will be provided additional information about pandemic hygiene and social distancing. The current masking requirement will remain in effect for the fall semester unless otherwise recommended by health officials. Meetings of outside groups on campus will be suspended for at least the fall semester.
Fr. Larry Hostetter concluded his message to the Brescia community by stating, “As you read this, please don’t forget that this is where we stand today. Conditions could change in the next months that would allow us to lift some restrictions, or, God forbid, impose even stricter conditions. We are very much still in a pandemic with a virus that is deadly, especially to the elderly or those with underlying medical conditions. For their sake, we must do all in our power to maintain a safe environment while making sure that our students get the best education possible. Also, don’t forget that all this is temporary until a vaccine and/or treatment is developed. We won’t be doing this very long but I know that in the spirit of the Brescia Difference you will do the right thing and help protect each other and those around us by your loving and responsible actions.”