Baldwin Wallace University President Bob Helmer has announced a framework for returning to campus for the fall 2020 semester.
The outline includes an August 24 start for classes and a range of changes that are aimed at prioritizing the safety of all members of the BW community, while providing a quality campus learning and living experience.
Read the entire communication to students, parents, faculty and staff here:
To
the
BW
community,
Baldwin
Wallace
University
has
resumed
campus
operations
and
faculty
and
staff
are
working
daily
to
prepare
for
resumption
of
on-campus
instruction
for
the
fall
2020
semester
including
residence
hall
living.
We
look
forward
to
welcoming
all
our
new
and
returning
Yellow
Jackets!
I
am
proud
of
the
work
we
did
this
past
spring
to
keep
our
students
on
track
during
the
COVID-19
outbreak.
Now
it's
crucial
that
we
move
forward
in
a
way
that
supports
safety
while
allowing
students
access
to
the
full
BW
experience.
The
first
step
in
our
approach
is
to
conduct
a
16-week
semester
with
a
schedule
modification
that
provides
flexible
academic
instruction.
The
reduction
of
long
weekends
will
reduce
travel
while
allowing
the
University
to
best
utilize
the
available
time
on
campus.
(Note:
Graduate
programs
will
maintain
their
current
calendar,
including
those
that
are
online.)
In
general,
students
are
not
to
return
to
campus
after
Thanksgiving.
Students
may
request
to
return
to
campus
residences
after
Thanksgiving
if
members
of
athletic
teams,
engaged
in
research
projects
or
if
a
student
shows
personal
need
best
served
by
remaining
on
campus.
Please
note,
all
Students
living
on
campus
during
this
time
will
attend
classes
remotely.
Post-Thanksgiving
residency
request
forms
will
be
available
to
students
October
1.
BW
is
planning
for
the
necessary
changes
to
our
life
on-campus
-
from
the
classroom
experience
to
residence
halls
and
dining
experiences.
A
team
led
by
Dr.
Trina
Dobberstein,
VP
of
Student
Affairs,
that
includes
advisors
from
the
Cleveland
Clinic
and
Southwest
General
Health
Center
and
relies
on
evolving
state
and
federal
guidelines,
is
fine-tuning
all
necessary
adaptations
that
will
impact
every
facet
of
our
life
together
on
campus.
Faculty,
staff,
students
and
visitors
will
be
required
to
wear
masks
in
common
areas,
maintain
6-foot
social
distancing,
and
self-monitor
their
health.
Facility
changes
will
include
increased
cleaning
frequency
of
high-touch
surfaces,
installation
of
physical
barriers,
room
capacity
reductions,
and
signage
that
reinforces
the
school's
safety
protocols.
This
year
residence
halls
will
be
"de-densified"
with
many
students
in
singles
and
no
more
than
two
students
per
room.
Bathroom
facilities
and
common
areas
will
have
restricted
occupancy
levels.
First
year
resident
students
and
returning
residential
students
will
be
notified
about
a
phased
move-in
schedule.
Baldwin
Wallace
University's
policies
and
protocols
for
responding
to
the
COVID-19
pandemic
are
rooted
in
safety
for
students,
faculty
and
staff
with
whom
we
interact.
The
well-being
of
our
community
is
critical.
Protecting
the
health
of
the
BW
community
will
require
long-term
effort
and
commitment,
cooperation
and
understanding
-
all
values
that
our
community
has
shown
in
a
multitude
of
ways
in
recent
months.
We
will
implement
three
phases
through
this
summer
and
the
2020-2021
academic
year.
BW
is
committed
to
making
college
affordable
for
all.
To
those
with
concerns
about
costs,
especially
with
the
financial
challenges
presented
by
COVID-19
-
please
reach
out.
We
will
do
all
we
can
to
support
our
students
and
their
families.
There
are
financial
aid
options
available.
You
can
contact
one
of
the
helpful
people
at
the
Financial
Aid
Office:
(440)
826-2108,
finaid@bw.edu.
We
want
to
keep
our
students
and
their
families
informed.
This
information
and
additional
updates
throughout
the
summer
will
be
made
on
bw.edu.
BW
has
always
been
at
its
best
when
we
are
together.
We
look
forward
to
seeing
you
all
on
campus
soon.
Bob
Helmer
President
Baldwin
Wallace
University