Page 18 - BusinessWest July 20, 2020

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Bryan Gross says WNEU’s mission prioritizes on-campus education, but the university is ready to pivot if the pandemic worsens.
In other words, Subbaswamy noted, “we’re prepared to serve our community to the best possible extent in terms of providing all the col- lege experience can under these different circumstances because of the pandemic. That’s the bottom line.”
That said, life in the residence halls will be altered to include pedes- trian-flow guidelines, restrictions on group gatherings, and limited face-to-face contact. No guests will be allowed in residence halls, at least at first. Most student services will be offered remotely. The Rec- reation Center will be open — with limits and restrictions placed on activities.
In short, things have changed since COVID-19 arrived in Massachu- setts. Leaders at the region’s higher-education institutions have been meeting since ... well, pretty much since they sent students home in mid-March, to hash out what classrooms and the campus experience will look like come late August, when the fall semester begins for most.
None of the schools’ plans are exactly the same, with some empha- sizing on-campus instruction, some — including most of the com- munity colleges — opting for an online-heavy approach, and others landing somewhere in between, with students choosing between in- person, online, and hybrid programs (see box on page 19).
Western New England University, touting its ample space and small classes, has decided to conduct the vast majority of classes fully on- campus this fall, while a small number of courses will be delivered in a hybrid or online format.
“We keep coming back to discus- sions regarding our mission, which is to provide a highly personalized edu- cational experience inside and outside class,” said Bryan Gross, vice presi- dent for Enrollment Management and Marketing. “For the faculty and staff working on this plan, any time we get stuck on details, we come back to that mission.”
“We need to make sure we’re providing them with some sense of security, and do everything that we can to make this experience one where they are able to continue their studies and get to graduation.
Students will be required to wear
a mask or face shield, practice social
distancing, and maintain a high stan-
dard of hygiene. In addition, plexiglass
barriers will be installed throughout
campus, including classrooms. Most
buildings will be one-directional to
minimize hallway contact, buildings
will be cleaned more frequently, and
residence halls will be limited to single and double rooming options, among other measures.
”
“We watch the news every day,” Gross told BusinessWest. “Things are constantly changing in terms of safety, and we have to follow state and federal regulations, but based on the information we currently have, we feel confident our plan is doable — that it meets our values and protects the health and safety of students. But if things change, we also have to be open and honest, and we are willing and able to
18 JULY 20, 2020
EDUCATION BusinessWest
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