PEORIA, Ill. — Summer vacation has kicked off, but talks for what classes will look like in the fall continue for Bradley University.
One change made to the fall semester: there will not be a fall break. Also, students will not return to campus after Thanksgiving.
“So, will we go online after Thanksgiving? That’s more than likely going to be what the plan is,” said Spokesperson Renee Charles.
“But, those are the types of the details we’re still working out.”
Bradley officials made that decision to reduce risk factors associated with travel, since students from all over go home for holiday breaks.
When students return to campus for classes, which start Aug. 26, masks will be required.
Bradley will issue students a university-branded mask, but students may also wear their own.
Faculty and staff will also be required to wear masks.
Classrooms are being worked on to allow for proper social distancing practices and establishing how many seats can be in the classroom.
The challenge of social distancing in classrooms is pushing the university to consider hybrid-style learning, which is “where you’re face-to-face on Monday, and online for your class on Wednesday,” for example, said Charles.
“You can only have a certain amount of students in a classroom.”
Bradley is hosting 19 single day orientation sessions in July and August, where 895 students have signed up to attend. Some events are under consideration to be moved online or to Welcome Week.
Charles said there are several committees working on a “Return to Campus” initiative.
Those committees include Return to Work, Return to Engagement, Return to Classroom, and Return to Online.
“Each one of those groups is looking through their specific lens at what needs to change, and what are the ‘what ifs’ that impact those specific categories,” she said.
She said within the next week to 10 days, a more detailed plan based on daily meetings with those committees should be released.
