North Central College’s spring semester will include a late January start that is two weeks later than normal, a shorter spring break, and tentative plans to hold spring commencement, according to recently released plans for the second half of the school year.
The Naperville college’s health and safety measures will stay in place this spring as it continues to combat any COVID-19 infections and outbreaks on campus. North Central also updated the public on what the spring calendar will look like to students, staff, and others.
The first day of classes for undergraduates is scheduled for Jan. 25, two weeks later than originally scheduled.
Graduate students will return as planned on Jan. 11, according to the updated calendar. A shortened spring break will follow the week of March 15. College spokesman Jeremy Borling said the delayed start and shorter break allows the spring calendar to replicate the fall semester as closely as possible while still having finals and commencement on their original dates.
The last day of spring classes for North Central students is scheduled for April 30. Undergraduate students will take final exams the following week, according to the calendar. Spring commencement is scheduled for May 9 but its viability will depend on the state’s Reopening Illinois plan regarding large gatherings.
“We will continue our ‘learn from anywhere’ approach in spring 2021 by offering a range of instructional modalities and leveraging technology to create inclusive learning opportunities for all students,” President Troy Hammond wrote in the school’s spring semester plan. “Our primary modality will continue to be in-person instruction, while providing students with fully online and hybrid learning options.”
North Central will continue with its health and safety policies, such as its ongoing testing for student-athletes and random testing of students and staff. The college’s surveillance testing checks on about 5% of the general population of students, faculty and staff on campus and about 10% of the students living on campus.
According to the most recent testing data from the college, 236 tests were administered on Oct. 3, with no positive COVID-19 tests. North Central has reported 33 positive cases among students and one case among staff since the start of testing in early August. As of Friday, the only positive case reported in October came from a test taken Sept. 29.
“As a reminder, these measures include: wearing face coverings while indoors as well as outdoors when social distancing is not possible; maintaining a distance of six feet or more from others; daily self-monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms using the #CampusClear app; staying home or in your residence hall room when sick; restrictions on gathering in large groups; enhanced cleaning and sanitation measures; and more,” Hammond wrote.
Campus housing and dining services will be the same in the spring as they are this fall, the update said.
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