At 1:07 PM (EDT), Cornell University President, Martha Pollack, emailed the Cornell community with general plans to reopen Ithaca for this coming fall semester.
The Fall semester will begin on September 2nd, with students going back to their primary residences for Thanksgiving break. After Thanksgiving, students will complete the rest of their courses and final exams online. Students also can choose to stay at home and take their classes online if they so choose. Instructors will provide information on the hybrid approach they will use for their classes, as well as specific information pertaining to the in-person and/or virtual components of said courses.
Significant changes will be made to student life on campus, such as social distancing measures in classrooms, decreased capacity, and assigned seating. Students will also be strongly encouraged to wear masks and take other health precautions. Student organizations will not be allowed to share classroom space until September or October, and those from outside campus will not be allowed to travel to Cornell, thus restricting the ability for certain events to take place (i.e. lectures, conferences, etc.). Dining halls will offer take-out options, and students will have to make a reservation to dine in-person. In addition, to de-densify campus, students will have to live in either doubles or singles in their dormitories.
International students will be accommodated through in-person “Study Away” options and virtual instruction. Faculty and employees will be encouraged to work remotely.
As this is a developing story, we will provide updates to you as they come.
This story was written by Joseph Silverstein, Editor-in-Chief, and Samuel Kim, Managing Editor.
