UMW To Resume On-Campus Academic, Housing Operations In August

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The University of Mary Washington plans to resume academic and residential operations on campus on Aug. 24, the school announced Friday. But the university also said it is continuing to consider contingency plans in case the coronavirus crisis prevents in-person classes for the fall semester.

“Given what we know at this moment, it is our hope and intention to resume our normal academic operations with the start of fall classes, and we remain committed to our residential college experience," UMW President Troy Paino said in a statement. "That being said, we will be stringent about following federal and state guidelines to promote individual and public health.”

In his statement, Paino praised faculty, staff and students, saying that the university “pivoted to remote learning extremely well with no forewarning” this past spring.

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On March 11, UMW, like most universities in Virginia, canceled all classes and instructed students to leave the campus.

Meanwhile, Paino also announced that the school's board of visitors executive committee voted to freeze tuition for all students for the fall semester. The committee's March 11 decision preceded the school’s move to remote learning.

As of Friday, 21 people in Fredericksburg had tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The city has reported no deaths from the coronavirus.