Westminster College in Fulton will start fall classes a week early to avoid any potential late-fall spikes of COVID-19, college officials announced Wednesday.
Classes will begin Aug. 12 and end with the last final exam Nov. 21.
Additionally, students will not receive a day off on Labor Day.
The plan is similar to one announced by William Woods University in Fulton earlier this month. Classes at WWU will resume Aug. 17, rather than Aug. 24 as initially planned.
In a letter to students, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. David Roebuck and Vice President/Dean of Student Life Kasi Lacey explained students will depart from campus just before Thanksgiving break and not return until the spring 2021 semester begins in January.
Faculty recently approved the decision to end the semester early, and Westminster's COVID-19 Task Force has met extensively to formulate health and safety plans that incorporate federal, state and local guidelines and recommendations, according to the letter.
The schedule change also allows the college to expand and lengthen its usual virtual winter session that takes place during the holiday break.
Roebuck and Lacey emphasized the decision to alter the academic schedule is the result of a lengthy decision-making process that included alterations to classroom and lab spaces.
In addition, faculty are training this summer to be equipped to offer "interactive, rigorous and exciting classes in any modality" so the college will be prepared to offer a hybrid of virtual and traditional teaching methods.
Westminster is also prepared to pivot to a virtual setting as it did this March, using college-issued iPads provided to every student.
The college also has thoroughly reevaluated its facilities in preparation for the fall semester, according to the letter. The Offices of Student Life and Plant Operations implemented guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the American College Health Association and the Callaway County Health Department.
Changes made throughout campus include measurement of all classrooms to allow for social distancing of 6 feet or more, installation of plastic shields in highly trafficked office areas, a plan for daily disinfecting of all classrooms, purchase of personal protective equipment to be used in labs, alterations to cafeteria eating arrangements, and creative use of outdoor space for activities such as socially distanced yoga.