Nearing the halfway mark of its Spring 2021 semester, Ferris State University is pressing forward with planning for a return to conventional operations, including in-person class instruction, to begin its 2021-22 academic year.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Ferris State University has been able to stay open, and remain open, while providing a safe and healthy living, learning and working environment for students, faculty and staff,” Ferris President David Eisler said. “With the extremely low number of COVID-19 cases on our campus and in our community, and with vaccines now available, we look forward to providing a fully in-person learning experience for our students. We are pleased and excited to be welcoming all students back to the Big Rapids campus, Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids and our off-campus locations.”
Mirroring previous fall semesters prior to the pandemic, the university’s current plans project 84 percent of its scheduled Fall 2021 semester classes will be hosted in-person. Ferris will continue monitoring COVID-19 trends while following directives from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Given our resilience as a university community and the fact our faculty, staff and students have done remarkable work in keeping the campus open and delivering face-to-face instruction during the pandemic, makes our return to normal in the fall that much more exciting,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Bobby Fleischman.
Jeanine Ward-Roof, vice president for Student Affairs, echoed those sentiments. “I am elated that our continuing and new students will have the opportunity to maximize their college experience and move more assuredly toward graduating from Ferris.”
Looking ahead to Fall 2021, Ferris plans to continue monitoring COVID-19 variants and their potential impact. As necessary, the university will adjust its planning to ensure student, faculty, staff and visitor safety. Ongoing COVID-19 safety measures include enhanced cleaning and disinfecting to maintain classroom, common area, dining, residential and work safety; continued completion of the daily symptom checker by university community members before coming to campus, including attending classes; limiting the size of social circles and workgroups; social distancing; avoiding large gatherings; wearing a face covering; and frequently washing and sanitizing hands.
To learn more about the university’s COVID-19 efforts, visit the coronavirus website.