College Announces Spring Semester Start Date, Introduces Option for Virtual January Term
Campus Photo (Photo Allyson Frantz/The Gettysburgian)
By Jane Fitzpatrick, Assistant News Editor
This afternoon, President Iuliano informed the campus community that the spring 2021 semester will officially commence on Feb. 1. In his report, Iuliano suggests that the administration is working towards formulating a plan in which students will be able to return to campus.
“The later start serves several public health goals that directly bear on our goal to bring as many students back to campus as we responsibly can,” he said.
The reasons given for a later start date to the spring semester include waiting out the traditional flu season for as long as possible, predicting warmer weather conditions from February on in order to accommodate more outdoor campus activities, and expecting large gatherings during and around the holidays.
Official guidelines regarding which students will be permitted to live on campus for the spring semester have yet to be provided. Iuliano promises more information in advance of the Thanksgiving break.
In addition to announcing the February start to the spring semester, the college will be offering a “Virtual January Term” from Jan. 11 to Jan. 22. These online opportunities will be centered around developing leadership skills and vital training in preparation for career success.
“Additional programming will allow students to connect directly with our Gettysburg College network of alumni in the health sciences and business professions, and learn valuable leadership lessons from Susan Eisenhower, Chairman Emerita of our Eisenhower Institute and the granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower,” Iuliano said.
Sessions will be both non-credit bearing and free to all students. Further information on the content of the virtual January sessions and how to register will be made available within the coming weeks.
As Iuliano works with advisory committees and public health experts to determine the safest plan for the spring 2021 semester, updates will be posted to the Better Together website. For responses to frequently asked questions about the 2020-2021 academic year, visit the list of the most common questions and email further inquiries to covidupdates@gettysburg.edu
