Dear Northwood Students/Parents,
On behalf of the entire Northwood University family, we are excited to welcome you to campus in just a few weeks! You may be feeling anxious about moving back, or for some of you, moving to campus for the first time.
Please know that our faculty and staff have been working all summer to ensure you have a safe campus environment! Our goal is to ensure you have a superior Northwood education taught by caring and compassionate faculty.
Preparation for Returning to Campus
Beginning Saturday, August 8th, we encourage students to heighten their self-monitoring and social-distancing practices for the two-week period prior to coming to campus. Students will be screened for symptoms upon arrival to campus. Many updates have been made to increase campus health and safety, including the availability of sanitizing and cleaning products, increased signage on expected procedures and protocols and physical modifications to increase physical separation with space.
Included in this communication is a link to the Student Playbook that details our multi-phase approach for your safe return to campus, in response to COVID exposure and cases. The playbook also outlines expectations and should answer your questions, so please take the time to review it. Here are some frequently asked questions for your reference.
Academic Calendar
The academic calendar is the same as originally planned for the fall 2020 semester:
Classes Begin: Monday, August 24, 2020
Semester Ends: Sunday, December 13, 2020
Final Exam Week: Monday-Sunday, December 7-13, 2020
Winter Commencement: Saturday, December 12, 2020 (based on prevailing guidelines)
Are class schedules the same?
Fall class schedules have been modified and some 16-week classes will be taught over an 8-week period to reduce the number of classes a student is enrolled in at any time. This does not change the total number of credit hours a student is enrolled in.
Changes in schedules were communicated, and students can access updated information on the Blackboard portal.
What will the classroom environment be like?
Classes will be face-to-face, however students will be required to wear face coverings.
To manage class sizes, there will be limited seating with 50% maximum capacity and use of larger spaces/rooms.
Computer labs now have Plexiglas partitions between computer stations.
Students and faculty are required to use PPE (personal protection equipment).
Students will be provided cleaning supplies and expected to wipe down their seating area and shared spaces prior to use.
We are prepared to shift to fully online instruction only if conditions require it.
Will classes be available online if students cannot meet face-to-face?
All classes are designed to be offered with the same quality instruction whether face-to-face or online.
We will maintain the flexibility to change class delivery as safety guidance dictates.
Students are expected to have adequate technology, including laptops and internet access, so they can participate in an online learning environment.
Every classroom is equipped with a web camera, document camera, and large screen to accommodate remote instruction.
What will residential and dining services be like?
Residential
Students will be assigned to single occupancy bedrooms (waiving single occupancy charges).
Students in single occupancy bedrooms will share a bathroom with one other student.
Bathroom cleaning and sanitizing protocols will be a shared responsibility of residential students.
Cleaning supplies will be provided and frequent checks can be expected to ensure a safe living environment. Common areas and lounge capacities will be limited.
Dining
Every 30 minutes common use items will be sanitized.
Seats and tables will be sanitized between each use.
A limited number of guests will be allowed in line or in dining areas at one time.
What happens if there is a positive COVID-19 case on campus?
Students will be notified if they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and safety protocols will be implemented.
If a positive COVID-19 case is detected or reported, the University will follow CDC guidelines and will disinfect areas the ill person has accessed.
Temporary accommodations will be provided as needed for those needing to isolate.
The Student Playbook will provide further details about protocols and student expectations so please review it completely. If guidelines, expectations, or directives change regarding COVID-19 or the fall 2020 semester, we will communicate to all students and parents as soon as possible.
In addition to reviewing and understanding the student playbook's content, we expect you to review the Addendum to the Student Handbook. The Addendum includes additional information about life on campus and student expectations.
For additional information about COVID-19 expectations, a virtual session will be held on Monday, August 10th at 7:00 p.m. Please plan on attending the COVID-19 Live Virtual Session with Academic Dean, Patti Timm and Dean of Student Affairs, Andy Cripe.
We hope you are as excited as we are about your student journey. Thank you for your steadfast commitment to learning and for trusting Northwood University during these exceptional times. We look forward to seeing you on campus.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Kent D. MacDonald
President