The Fall 2020 Academic Calendar has been updated.

Dear Morningside Community,

Last week I shared with you that our Operation Open for Fall Task Force has been carefully planning for the start of in-person classes this fall. I will be sharing more details and specifics in June as promised, but there is one component of the plan we want shared immediately.

After considering much data, research, and scenario planning, Vice President for Academic Affairs Chris Spicer has consulted with Faculty Senate, and they have endorsed a modified Fall 2020 Academic Calendar for undergraduate programs.

In summary, the intent of this calendar is to minimize travel, address public health projections for fall, ensure our best chance for giving you in-person instruction, and give you a longer holiday break.

To accomplish this, here are a few highlights of the modified Fall 2020 Academic Calendar:

  • Fall classes will begin one week earlier on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
  • All campus event days and breaks will be eliminated, including the Labor Day holiday.
  • Students will complete in-person classes on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
  • Thanksgiving Break will happen as scheduled from Nov. 25-29, 2020.
  • Final exams will be delivered remotely the week of Nov. 30-Dec. 4.

The complete modified fall undergraduate calendar is here. Final exam schedules will be posted in June as usual. Graduate, degree completion, and alternative program calendars will be adjusted similarly. Students should watch for an email from your program director with more specific details.

For now, no changes are being made to the spring calendar. We will certainly keep you informed as we continue to assess and gather information. 

While we can’t predict exactly what will happen in the months ahead, our team feels that this plan will allow us to deliver the best Morningside experience possible while also being mindful of your health and safety based on the data currently available to us.

I can’t underscore enough how much we are looking forward to welcoming you back to campus. While there will be a few changes, each day that passes gives me more assurance that we are finding a way forward while keeping your health and safety at the center of our decisions. Please keep an eye on your inbox for more information in the coming weeks, and continue to watch the Morningside COVID-19 Resource page for all the latest.

Be well,
John Reynders
President
Morningside College