Sacred Heart, Fairfield University Will Reopen Campuses In Fall

FAIRFIELD, CT — College in a world with the coronavirus will include an on-campus experience, at least for Fairfield’s two universities.

Both Sacred Heart University and Fairfield University have plans to reopen their campuses in the fall, after the schools switched to online-only learning in March due to the virus outbreak, which is connected to more than 3,800 Connecticut deaths in less than three months.

“We recognize that providing an opportunity for students to interact, build friendships, participate in clubs and activities and develop bonds with faculty members is a critical part of the college experience,” Sacred Heart officials said in a statement. “… While there will need to be procedural changes for everyone’s safety, we are determined to provide those experiences to students.”

Chief among the changes will be an adjustment to the structure of fall undergraduate coursework at Sacred Heart. Classes will begin as planned Aug. 31, but the Columbus Day break will be eliminated and on-campus instruction will conclude by Thanksgiving for the vast majority of students. Faculty may choose to hold classes virtually following the holiday or deliver the additional two weeks' worth of instruction typically given after Thanksgiving during the first 13 weeks of the semester. Graduate programs will not be affected.

University faculty must also prepare to deliver course material both in person and virtually, should a spike in coronavirus cases require a change to remote learning. Most students will be given the option to remain home while taking classes online throughout the fall semester.

Sacred Heart is anticipating the students’ return by amassing protective equipment, including more than 50,000 masks and 30,000 gallons of hand sanitizer, as well as implementing cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

Connecticut's college reopening plan calls for testing all residential students upon return to campus. Sacred Heart will have an extended move-in period in the fall, limit guests on campus, and require masks everywhere but dorm rooms and offices.

While Fairfield University has yet to announce a detailed plan for the fall, the college does intend to reopen its campus, according to Jennifer Anderson, vice president of marketing and communications.

“Fairfield University is planning to return to on-campus teaching and instruction in the fall, and is considering various scenarios to insure academic continuity and community vibrancy,” she said in a prepared statement. “The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and families remain the primary considerations in every decision that we make. We will continue to abide by governmental health directives, as our University task force develops appropriate scenarios to ensure that we can re-open safely.”