Dear Parent/Guardian
I
am pleased to have an opportunity to provide you with an update on fall
semester and want to again express our commitment to providing an
exceptional educational experience while also prioritizing the safety of
our campus community. Student success is our top priority, and we
recognize that your encouragement, guidance, and advice will remain
important to your student over the next four years.
Earlier
today we emailed <Student_First_Name> updated information about
UMD’s plans for fall semester. The same summary is provided below. As
planning moves forward, your student will regularly receive fall
semester updates. Student’s personal University email account is our
official means for communicating.
Academic Calendar
The
fall semester on the Duluth campus will start as planned on Monday,
August 31. All instruction will transition to remote instruction after
Thanksgiving. The last day of fall classes will be December 11, with
final exams scheduled December 14-18.
On-campus Housing
We
are planning a measured move-in process to support physical distancing.
First-year and new transfer students will move into their fall housing
August 26-28. Specific move-in dates are based on the building into
which students have been assigned. Students living on-campus this fall
receive additional information in their housing assignment notification
in mid-July.
Health and Safety Plans and Expectations
Effective
July 1 and continuing until rescinded, all UMD students, faculty,
staff, and visitors are required to use an appropriate face covering at
all times when in any enclosed or indoor space on University campuses
and properties. Additional information and exceptions to this practice
are posted on the COVID FAQ website.
The
University is committing to enhanced cleaning and sanitizing practices
throughout all of our facilities. We ask all of our community members to
commit to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through a number of steps
outlined in our “Stop the Spread of COVID-19” campaign.
This includes monitoring your own health, staying home when sick,
washing your hands, maintaining physical distance, and wearing a mask
when and where required.
Fall Course Instruction
We
are currently assessing each fall semester course with consideration to
physical distancing guidelines, which may reduce classroom capacity. As
a result, some courses will be moving to blended instruction where a
portion of the course is delivered both in-person and online. While not
every class will be taught face-to-face, students will have access to
the courses needed to make progress towards their degree in a number of
formats. Additional information will be shared over this month and
updates will be made to course instruction plans by August 1.
Information Resources
The University’s Return to Campus Site & FAQs provides ongoing updates on COVID protocols and fall reopening.
Continue to reference the New Student Orientation Guide to learn more about campus resources.
I wish you and your family a restful, healthy summer.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
