HOW COLLEGES ARE REOPENING: THE FOUR MOST COMMON PLANS FOR FALL 2020

With summer drawing to a close soon, college students and their families are trying to understand how their schools will approach the start of fall semester. Although many schools have still not announced their plans for the semester, it seems that most colleges are considering one of a handful of models. We are going to take a look at how different colleges and universities are approaching reopening.

First, let’s make sure we understand the different models. Although these models can seem completely different from each other, the options are not exclusive but can be layered on top of one another. For example, aspects of the online system are reflected in the hybrid and “semester switch” systems as well. It’s just that some models allow students to make a broader range of decisions regarding their education, such as in-person courses or on-campus school events. 

With that in mind, let’s explore what options schools have for reopening and what this means for the future. 

Online Only (CSU System, Harvard)

Much like all other businesses and careers that have the privilege of going remote, many schools are also taking advantage of this opportunity to switch to a fully remote learning model. In the online model, all or nearly all courses are delivered through a remote medium. The most notable universities to have picked this method (as of mid-July 2020) include Harvard University and the California State Universities (CSUs).

Although the intention for this model is to be fully online, there are still a few exceptions. Examples of in-person exceptions that the CSU Chancellor highlighted include the use of unique instruments or tools, such as training mannequins for nursing students or kilns for arts students. Despite these changes to coursework, CSU students may choose if they wish to have on-campus housing or take the courses from elsewhere. 

The controversy related to a fully online model, however, is the price tag associated with the switch. Most schools have not changed their tuition fees in comparison to previous years, and some schools have even increased tuition. For example, Harvard will charge $49,653 in tuition for the 2020-2021 school year and will charge an additional “student service fee” of $3,109, regardless of where the student will be geographically in the fall. 

Schools that have highlighted an online only approach:

• Harvard University

• San Jose State University

• Cal Poly SLO

• San Diego State University

• Pomona College

Hybrid  (Boston University, Cornell)

The hybrid approach to reopening colleges and universities refers to giving students the option to attend class either in person or online. While the online options mandate all students to take courses remotely, in a hybrid model students can choose to take all or nearly all of their classes in person. 

One of the strongest examples of the hybrid approach is Boston University’s Learn from Anywhere program, meant to change all of the university's undergraduate and graduate programs to be available both in person and online. Another example of the hybrid approach is Rice University. Although Rice announced earlier in the year that they would commit to in-person classes, the university has since clarified that it will also post recorded class sessions online, and students have the option to choose between in-person or online class sessions. 

Granted, having in-person lectures and students on campus is still a risk. Thus, the hybrid approach is often adopted with other policies in place to help students reduce the risk of spreading disease. Schools are reopening with plexiglass installed between service windows, isolation measures for returning students, and new rules regarding shared study spaces like libraries and cafeterias, such as dorm “households” using the cafeterias at a designated time. 

Other schools with the capacity to do so have focused on testing capability. Research from Cornell University found that an online-only fall semester may create more infections than an open campus with rigorous preventative measures, such as contact tracing and testing for asymptomatic patients. Boston University has also mentioned that it intends to establish a testing facility for all staff and students to use in the fall.  

Other schools with similar hybrid plans include:

• University of Michigan

• University of Chicago

• Duke University

• New York University

• Carnegie Mellon University

• Johns Hopkin University

• University of Southern California

Semester Switch (Yale, Stanford)

Some schools are requiring certain students remain off campus while others are allowed to decide whether to come on campus or take courses virtually. We are calling this system “semester switch,” since typically a portion of the student body will not be allowed on campus for a semester, and the next semester the groups switch. This version of reopening can be seen as an additional precaution on top of the hybrid approach, since a subset of the student body will be mandated to stay off campus for certain semesters. 

A notable example of a university adopting this policy is Yale University. Given that many incoming freshmen are excited to come to campus and experience the university setting for the first time, Yale is allowing freshmen to live on campus for fall 2020, assuming they feel comfortable. To compensate for allowing all freshmen on campus, Yale is stating that no sophomores will be allowed on campus in fall 2020; all sophomores would take courses remotely. In the spring of 2021, this would switch; freshmen would be off campus taking online classes, while sophomores may live on campus. Yale is allowing juniors and seniors to decide if they wish to be on campus or not. Yale also clarified that the vast majority of courses will be conducted virtually, regardless of where the student is physically located. 

Stanford University has also highlighted a similar reopening strategy with alternating classes. Given Stanford’s quarter system, Stanford has detailed that students may choose up to three quarters to take courses and may spend up to two quarters on campus. Most instruction is still online at Stanford, so the choice is whether to return to live on campus.

Fully Open 

As of mid-July, there are no schools that intend to fully open for all or nearly all students in the short term. 

In April, there was news that some schools have started committing to reopening campus for fall 2020. Most notably, Rice University, Baylor University, and University of Notre Dame mentioned their commitments to reopening campus around April of 2020. At the time, these declarations seemed unrealistic and unlikely given the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. These schools have since clarified their position, with most schools opting for a hybrid approach; thus campuses are reopened, but students may choose to use remote learning if they prefer. 

Some colleges are still issuing hopeful plans, such as Northwestern’s six step process, to get the majority of students on campus. Specific details regarding how and when are unclear, as many schools cite local laws and restrictions for the time being. 

What does this mean for the near future?

This question is difficult to tackle without speculating too much, but here are some things to consider. First, we must consider how much impact an online only semester will impact a student’s education. We may see some students opt to take a gap year or transfer, but there has not been substantial evidence that this effect is occurring more than usual (as of mid-July 2020) for top schools. 

We must also consider whether schools are truly ready for in-person courses. A school like Boston University with its own testing lab may do fine in contact tracing and mitigating an outbreak, but what about colleges and universities with fewer resources? Or institutions in rural areas where hospital capacity is limited? We also need to consider student behavior and how seriously students will take university actions to mitigate an outbreak, as even the Cornell study on whether or not to reopen highlights community actions as a factor. A successful and safe reopening of these institutions is critical for the students and staff of these schools. A mishandling of the situation may lead to, at minimum, worsening PR and, worst case scenario, a public health emergency. 

At ILUMIN Education, we understand the difficult decisions ahead of students and parents. We’re happy to offer a free consultation to help students and parents understand this quickly changing environment. Contact us at info@ilumineducation if you have any more questions.