WCU Seeks To Get Ahead Of Predicted Second Wave: Remote Instruction To Continue For Spring 2021

Press release from West Chester University:

Oct. 7, 2020

WCU to Get Ahead of Predicted Second Wave: Remote Instruction to Continue for Spring
2021

With the nation continuing to experience spikes in COVID-19 and scientists predicting
a new surge due to cold weather, West Chester University is taking extra precautions
to protect the community from a forecasted second wave of the virus by continuing
remote and some hybrid (meaning both remote and in-person) academic instruction through
the spring semester. As course selection and preparation for the next semester will
soon begin, the University is announcing its intentions so students and their families
can plan accordingly. West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino made
the announcement today by releasing a video (https://youtu.be/GYaxXTzToHI) and email message to the WCU community (https://www.wcupa.edu/healthNotices/10.7Update.aspx).

“There is not enough information on the availability of rapid testing or a vaccine
on a sufficient scale for us to be confident enough to announce and plan for a spring
semester that includes a return to in-person instruction,” said President Fiorentino
in his message. “Continuing remote instruction through spring 2021 will ensure that
WCU students will be able to earn credits for academic degrees in an uninterrupted
manner.”

The University will continue to provide COVID-19 relief credits to both in-state and
out-of-state students, full-time and part-time, for spring 2021, which will lower
the total combined costs of tuition and fees.

Much like the fall, spring 2021 instruction will be delivered via Zoom Conferencing,
Skype, email, and a variety of other remote modes of course delivery as determined
by WCU faculty. Some courses will continue to be offered in a hybrid format (both
remote and in-person) to assist students with clinical placements, student teaching,
performance obligations, internship sites, and similar academic responsibilities.

“Universities across the State System are exploring a range of options to deliver
quality public higher education and to do so in a way that emphasizes the health and
safety of every member of the community: students, faculty, staff, administration,
and so on,” said State System Chancellor Dan Greenstein. “It’s important just like
with the Fall 2020 semester that West Chester and the other System universities have
the space they need to choose how to safely continue education opportunities so students
can pursue their degrees during this pandemic.”

The following series of new strategies and tools will continue to help WCU students
meet academic requirements:

• Technology lending program, including laptops, webcams, and mobile hotspots for students
  without access to Broadband Internet

• Enhanced remote student support through the University’s Student Success Coordinators
  and Student Success Coaches

• Online training modules focused on assisting students with the transition from in-person
  classes to remote learning

• Student support services conducted via remote delivery, including additional tutoring
  and supplemental instruction for specific courses

• Home access for students via key software providers

• Increased advising outreach by faculty to support student success

• Remote delivery of library services, including the mailing of library materials to
  students’ homes

The University is extending its promise to current undergraduate students through
the spring semester. Undergraduate students taking 12 credits in the spring will be
able to take an additional 6 credits in any of the three summer 2021 sessions without
being charged tuition. Similarly, undergraduate students taking 15 credits in the
spring will be able to take an additional 3 credits any of the three summer 2021 sessions
without being charged tuition.

Once again, on-campus housing will welcome a small group of students for the spring
semester and enhanced health practices will continue to be implemented in the residential
facilities. Priority will be given to Promise Program students, proven hardship cases,
and academic placements (i.e., clinical, student teaching, internship, performance,
and similar academic requirements).

FAQs can be found here: https://www.wcupa.edu/healthNotices/faqs.aspx

This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.