What should college students expect this Fall?


Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Students should expect to take most if not all of their college classes online while also having to comply with coronavirus prevention guidelines whether they are on campus or at home.



When the novel coronavirus took hold earlier this year, colleges and universities across the country quickly closed their campuses and swiftly transitioned to online college classes and remote teaching/learning. As the fall semester begins, colleges are also welcoming new students while trying to do what they can to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease.

According to a College Crisis Initiative at Davidson College in North Carolina cited by U.S. News & World Report, less than 3.5% of over 2,100 colleges have announced fall plans that will be fully in-person and on campus, while most opt to go either fully online or partially online through hybrid instruction models. Any and all in-person college experience will be largely modified with physical and social distancing guidelines.

What kinds of changes might college students expect this Fall 2020?


Campus tours and orientation may look different.

College tours are likely to be offered online.
College orientation traditionally involved packing rooms and meeting spaces full of hundreds of people—students and their families—for long information sessions and events. Rather than having many long sessions, some colleges may assemble students into small groups to follow along with social distancing recommendations. Other colleges may use online virtual methods to host online orientation sessions where students can communicate with other students, faculty advisers, and online orientation leaders online.

Not everybody will be allowed back on campus, even at institutions that are bringing students back.

Not all college students will have the traditional in-person experience. There are some universities that want to only bring back certain students to campus. For example, some colleges plan to bring back incoming freshmen or seniors.

Princeton University and Harvard University, for instance, plan to limit who is allowed back on campus by class standing. Massachusetts Institute of Technology plans to bring back seniors to campus.

Academic calendars have likely been modified.

Many colleges and universities have adapted the school calendar so that classes start early and any in-person instruction ends by Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving break, students will finish the semester through online instruction. The idea is to limit travel.

Online learning will likely be used no matter what.

Some systems, such as the entire California State University system, have opted for fully online fall semesters. Other colleges plan to go fully online and many others plan to use a hybrid model that mixes online and in-person instruction.

The use of face masks will be mandatory.

Colleges and universities are likely to follow state authority suit on coronavirus prevention requirements. Mandatory face masks may vary by state and campus but even in states without mask mandates, some colleges and universities are requiring students to wear face coverings on campus. Some colleges even require students to wear masks on campus even when outside of residence halls.

Some universities may use tents as classrooms.

Rice University, for example, plans to build four temporary structures and set up five large tents to use as lecture halls, study areas and student meeting spaces in order to reduce population density.

Campuses may now feature physical barriers, such as plastic shields.

These physical barriers, that have already begun to show up in places such as a grocery stores and gas stations, may now show up on college campuses as well. Students can expect to find physical barriers in dining halls, service areas and classrooms. Teachers may be giving lectures from behind Plexiglas shields.

College dormitories and residence halls will not function at full capacity.

Living on campus will come with certain restrictions such as assignment to specific stalls, sinks and showers in communal bathrooms. Limitations may also include assigning one student to rooms originally designed for two or more students.

Grab-and-go dining is sure to replace any type of buffet style dining hall experience.

Traditional college dining halls feature buffet style dining. Meal plans are likely now going to be available mostly if not fully through remote self-service areas that feature mobile ordering, pickup and grab-and-go options. The CDC encourages use of grab-and-go options as well as disposable dishes and utensils.

Colleges and universities might be more generous with financial aid rewards.

Students whose families are financially affected by the coronavirus may warrant more financial aid. Financial aid appeals are likely to continue beyond the fall semester as families continue to grapple with the economic issues inflicted by the pandemic that has driven millions to unemployment.

It is likely going to be more difficult to find a job.

Work-study is likely to continue, but there will be limitations and changes. Finding a job will not be as easy as it was before as several in-person jobs are no longer necessary or have been taken away to prevent the spread of the virus.

Coronavirus prevention guidelines are likely to be written into codes of conduct.

In addition to requiring masks and testing, students may be asked to commit to other behavior guidelines such as using masks/face coverings and regularly checking temperatures. Schools are likely to ask that students curtail partying and other traditionally normal facets of college life.

COVID-19 testing will be available in different forms.

Universities will offer different kinds of testing. Some may offer self-administered nasal swab tests to students living on campus. Universities may also test wastewater leaving residence halls and other facilities on campus.

College sports will be different this year.

There will definitely be limited audiences allowed in college stadiums and university arenas. College and high school recruiting of athletes will also change.




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