Ursuline to resume face-to-face instruction in August

Ursuline College in Pepper Pike has announced plans to resume face-to-face instruction in the 2020-21 academic year, with classes starting Aug. 24.

“We will be using a flexible, blended learning model that combines real-time, in-person instruction with robust online content,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Kathy LaFontana said in a news release.

The model offers students interaction on a liberal arts campus, both among students and between students and faculty or staff, at the same time that it incorporates safe social distancing and other precautions against the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Ursuline’s low student-tofaculty ratio and small class sizes offer the right setting for face-to-face classes with safe distancing, the college stated in the release. In addition, Ursuline’s classrooms are being equipped so that, in larger classes, a portion of students in each class session can meet in person, while the remainder participate remotely, in an alternating pattern.

The arrangement will reduce the number of students gathering in any classroom.

In tandem with this, faculty will augment the learning experience with digital materials they develop and post in the campus learning management system.

“Students will be able to test their understanding of course material and demonstrate achievement of course learning outcomes by working independently in between in-person classes,” LaFontana said in the release.

Ursuline College President Sister Christine De Vinne, said that this blended model of instruction will also allow the college to adapt quickly if it becomes necessary to temporarily

revert to 100 percent online instruction.

“Our goal is to ensure interaction and continuity of learning while keeping students, faculty and staff healthy by following CDC and Ohio Department of Health guidelines for practices that limit the spread of disease,” De Vinne stated in the release. “Our protocols will encourage safe interpersonal collaboration among students and their instructors, advisors, coaches, and peers.”

The College has modified its fall schedule, eliminating a planned mid-semester break and committing to classes from Aug. 24 to Nov.24, with a four-day weekend for Labor Day.

After Thanksgiving, the last two weeks of classes will be taught online, concluding Dec. 12. This is aimed at preventing students and faculty who travel for the holiday from unintentionally bringing illness back to campus with them, the release stated.

Ursuline faculty and staff members, who have been working at home since the campus closed in midMarch, will begin returning to campus on June 8. Most employees will come to campus two days a week and continue to work from

home the other days, the release stated.

“With our reopening, we will constantly monitor the campus to ensure that the five safety protocols outlined by the State of Ohio are being followed,” De Vinne said.

The state’s five protocols are:

• Require face coverings for employees and recommend them for clients/customers at all times.

• Conduct daily health assessments by employers and employees (self-evaluation) to determine if “fit for duty.”

• Maintain good hygiene at all times — hand washing and social distancing.

• Clean and sanitize workplaces throughout workday and at the close of business or between shifts.

• Limit capacity to meet social distance guidelines.

In advance of campus reopening, Ursuline has expanded cleaning and sanitizing especially in hightouch areas, installed clear plastic shields at contact zones, moved furniture to accommodate social distancing, established maximum occupancy for rooms, and installed signage reminding employees and visitors of basic protection practices, the release stated.

“Our goal is to ensure interaction and continuity of learning while keeping students, faculty and staff healthy by following CDC and Ohio Department of Health guidelines for practices that limit the spread of disease. …Our protocols will encourage safe interpersonal collaboration among students and their instructors, advisors, coaches, and peers.” — Ursuline College President Sister Christine De Vinne