Elmhurst University announced plans this week for a full return to in-person, on-campus learning — and living — this coming fall.
In a news release, officials said those plans are based on current pandemic and vaccine rollout projections. With low COVID-19 positivity rates in the University so far, school officials say they will be prepared to welcome students back in August with a full array of on-campus courses and activities.
“Elmhurst University plans to be almost completely back on campus in the fall, and we’re committed to accomplishing this while continuing to prioritize the safety and well-being of our entire campus community,” President Troy D. VanAken said in the release. “Our students prize an on-campus experience because it’s personal, student-focused and lived in the true spirit of community. We’ll be working hard to restore that environment for them.”
University plans for the fall include offering most of its courses in person, subject to state and federal guidelines. Students who prefer remote learning will still have that option.
The school plans to operate its residence halls at “close to full capacity,” the release said, subject to prevailing public health guidelines.
Plans also include increasing access to campus food service operations and facilities, along with in-person social activities, cultural events and athletic contests, school officials said.
VanAken said he was more than excited by the prospect of having students back on campus. “Excited would be an understatement,” VanAken said in an email. “Working with students, and being a small part of their transformative experience on campus, is one of my favorite parts of the job. It will be great to see our students walking around our beautiful campus again, interacting with each other and our faculty, or just having a cup of coffee in the Frick Center … And I can’t wait to get to one of our concerts, volleyball games or lectures once we’re able to attend in person.”
The University plans to offer what officials termed “enhanced financial aid” to students and families impacted by the pandemic and for incoming students who found remote learning especially challenging.
The school’s ability to do that comes in part from its strong financial footing, VanAken said.
“After three years of record enrollment, Elmhurst University entered the pandemic in a strong financial position,” he said in an email. “Our economic position, combined with Higher Education Emergency Relief funds, will allow the University to emerge from the pandemic still strong financially. At the same time, our faculty and staff have been innovative and committed to ensuring that our students’ academic experience has been both supportive and rigorous. Our students also have been resilient and flexible, and really have been doing a great job of making the best of a difficult situation.”
Students and staff will be expected to continue following any health and safety guidelines still in effect in the fall, including mask-wearing, physical distancing, testing protocols and gathering sizes. Students and employees are also being encouraged to get COVID-19 vaccinations.
Officials said testing data continues to show a low incidence of COVID-19 on campus.
As the school moves toward reopening. VanAken said safety for all will remain a priority. “We want to make sure to continue operating in a way that focuses on safety,” he said. “Part of that also means making sure that those students who are more comfortable learning remotely will continue to have that option.”
Overall, VanAken said, response to the fall reopening plan has been positive. “The feedback from various constituents has all been supportive,” he said. “They are looking forward to returning to the “new normal” with more in-person activities.”
Elmhurst University formally changed its name from Elmhurst College last July. The school offers more than 70 undergraduate programs, more than 20 graduate and certificate programs and the Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy for young adults with differing abilities. The school currently has about 2,800 undergraduate students and nearly 600 graduate students.
More Top Picks Best Microscopes For Students