Dear students,
Well done! We are more than seven weeks into the semester and going strong with almost 90% of our students attending classes in-person or via a hybrid format. While so many other colleges and universities are totally online, or had to go into weeks of lockdown, you have managed to keep Shenandoah safe, strong and open.
Looking ahead to Thanksgiving break the week of Nov. 23, we are hopeful that you will take time to spend with loved ones, to relax, and to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for — all while continuing to live low, masking up and staying healthy.
We would also like to remind you that Shenandoah will continue to operate in-person after the Thanksgiving break. This means that on Nov. 30, faculty currently teaching in-person will be on campus and will continue to hold classes in the classroom, while also retaining the online component that has made ShenFlex so successful.
That said, we know that some of you may wish to remain at home for the two weeks after the Thanksgiving break and plan to use the ShenFlex option to finish the semester online. You may do this. We know this is an uncertain time and so we will be flexible and do our best to accommodate you, especially students who live far away or those who are concerned about returning to campus from a COVID-19 hotspot.
The status of Shenandoah’s campuses will continue to be dependent on the prevalence of COVID-19 both locally and nationwide. We will make adjustments and notify campus immediately if we believe returning after Thanksgiving is not in the best interest of our university community.
Students, you will receive a questionnaire in early November to determine your intentions of returning to campus after Thanksgiving break. This is very important, so please take the time to fill this out so we can accommodate your academic and housing needs at the close of this fall semester. It will also allow for us to plan our Covid-19 testing for the weeks following Thanksgiving.
Every one of you has been amazing in making this semester a success. Thank you for your diligence, patience and respect for others. That is the Shenandoah way.
Adrienne Bloss, Provost
Yolanda Barbier Gibson, Vice President for Student Affairs
