By
Tom Siebert
Judson
University announced today that school officials are planning to begin the fall
semester with Welcome Weekend on Aug. 21 and in-person classes on Aug. 24.
"We
will continue to comply with all federal and state guidelines, as well as our
own high standards, for the health and safety of our entire
community––students, faculty, staff, and guests," said Mary Dulabaum,
Judson's director of communications and marketing.
The
university will start with a progressive return of Judson staff throughout the
summer and will include opening the campus to visitors and events as the
Illinois stay-at-home order is lifted, she added.
The
state is currently under a shelter-in-place directive from Gov. J.B. Pritzker
until May 30, due to the coronavirus health crisis.
According
to the Illinois Dept. of Health, the state has recorded 79,007 coronavirus
cases and 3,459 deaths as of noon today.
For
the fall semester, Judson will follow appropriate health testing, screening,
and tracing; cleaning and sanitizing; and social distancing as necessary in
classrooms, residence halls, the cafeteria, athletic events, and other student
activities and events, according to Ms. Dulabaum.
University
leaders are also developing at least three contingency plans for adjusting its
strategies, based on continuing developments and changes to governmental
guidelines.
Current
students, prospective students, faculty, and staff were informed of the university's
plans yesterday.
Judson
is a Christian institution representing the church at work in higher education.
Nestled along the Fox River in Elgin, the university is home to more than 1,250
students from 36 states and 30 countries.
The
school offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for
traditional, graduate, and adult students, ranking consistently among the Best
Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report.
Judson
has also been recognized as a "Christian College of Distinction."
