In an effort to ensure student safety as they return to campus in the fall, Campbell University has made several changes to its fall academic calendar, Provost Mark Hammond announced today.
Chief among the changes:
- Undergraduate classes on Campbell’s main campus will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
- The University will eliminate its fall break on Oct. 8-9.
- The final day for face-to-face instruction will be Tuesday, Nov. 24.
- Main campus undergraduate students will not return to campus after the Thanksgiving break.
- Final examinations will be conducted online.
According to Registrar Karen Pore, the changes will limit possible exposure to COVID-19 due to student travel.
“We hope that by limiting the break within the term and by not having students return physically after Thanksgiving, we will limit exposures and virus spread within the campus community,” Pore said. “We were able to maintain the necessary instructional hours to meet our academic standards by shifting fall break to instructional days and moving exams to a remote format.”
Hammond said the changes will affect only main campus undergraduate Campbell programs this fall, though additional changes may be made to other University campuses and graduate and professional programs, if necessary.
“Due to Campbell’s vast array of programs and schools, there are numerous calendars,” Hammond said. “The graduate and professional schools are considering what, if any, calendar adjustments may be necessary and will keep their students informed if any changes are made.”
Campbell University formed its Fall Semester Task Force back in April to plan for how to manage “traditional operations” of the University while also protecting students, staff and the Campbell community upon their return. On May 11, the University approved a measure to provide all residential students with private accommodations during the upcoming academic year to reduce the amount of shared spaces.
An announcement regarding guidelines on social distancing and face coverings is expected later this month.
The Fall Semester Task Force and university leadership will continue to monitor federal, state, and local guidelines related to social distancing, face coverings and related practices and will make adjustments to this policy on an as needed basis.