Concordia will open for the Fall 2020 semester in a blended academic format, with on-site, interactive courses and engaging digital learning experiences. While protocols and procedures designed to maximize safety will be new, the strengths of the Concordia Experience remain the same; Concordia College maintains its steadfast commitment to its mission and students. The Fall 2020 Semester plan fosters student engagement and intellectual growth, while fueling student achievement with individual attention and support.
Academic Calendar
The Fall semester will open August 24 for traditional undergraduate students in a blended format of traditional classes integrated with web-enhanced content and technology. Classes will continue through November 23 without a break. After the Thanksgiving holiday, classes will be fully online for the remaining two weeks of the semester. Recognizing that some students require the optimal learning spaces campus provides, resident students will have the option to remain on/return to campus after the break. Commuting students will also have access to campus after the Thanksgiving break. Exams for the fall semester will be administered online. Nursing students will also begin their courses on August 24 and the program will include online lectures and lab simulations in the lab in small groups. Concordia’s Accelerated Degree Programs for adults will begin in early July. Further decisions on the spring semester calendar will be made at a later date.
Academic Program Delivery
Concordia has engaged an Instructional Design Team to build courses that can shift as needed along a range of delivery methods, from fully in-person to fully online. Extensive resources and training ensure that Concordia’s faculty can maximize face-to-face time while fully supporting learning that happens virtually. This means that students can expect uninterrupted academic progression throughout a range of potential scenarios.
Student Experience
The College is committed to a vibrant campus life. Administrators, the Student Experience Team and the Student Government Association have been working together on plans to safely engage students with activities, athletics, clubs, and residence life. Physical distancing protocols will alter the format of some programming as the College follows local, state and national guidance.
Athletics
Concordia is working with the NCAA Division II governance and is in support of the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) recommendation to pursue no changes to the 2020 Playing and Practice Seasons and D-II Championships schedule for fall sports, allowing seasons to be planned (including start dates) as legislated if public health conditions allow. Our primary objective is to develop guidelines and protocols to ensure safe competition.
Events
While large public gatherings will not take place this fall, other formats for many of Concordia’s community events are being planned. Details will follow as available.
Health and Safety Measures
Concordia is committed to protecting the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors. To that end, the College is working with local public health officials, state associations and health care providers to develop testing, monitoring, and contact tracing protocols, while reconfiguring classrooms, residence halls, public areas and dining spaces to enable social distancing. Some highlights include:
- A deep cleaning over the summer will be followed by an accelerated regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule. Cleaning processes and products have been enhanced.
- Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes will be available throughout campus.
- Additional cleaning protocols have been developed to support the student move-in/move-out process while keeping Concordia community members and their families safe.
- Signage will guide and encourage compliance with health and safety protocols.
- The Commons and Brickyard will have changes to best ensure the health and safety of our community.
- All hand dryers will be shut off in restrooms and paper towel dispensers will be available.
- Masks will be required in public spaces; masks will be provided to students, faculty, staff and visitors at no cost. As is current policy, visitors will be required to check in at the Security Office. Staff and faculty will wear identification at all times.
- Concordia’s offices will be limited to 50% capacity as many staff continue to work from home. Staff will follow a variety of health screening and safety protocols.
Further details and information will be released over the summer as guidance from New York State is disseminated.