Feb. 26, 2021
CWU Board of Trustees Approves Fall 2021 Plan
The Central Washington University Board of Trustees Thursday unanimously endorsed a fall 2021 opening day plan for the Ellensburg residential campus that calls for a return to in-person instruction and near-normal capacity in campus residence halls while continuing to require face coverings but relaxes physical distancing rules.
Trustees, however, also stressed the plan was subject to change based on the recommendations of health and safety professionals.
“The health and safety of the university community must come first,” CWU President James L. Gaudino noted. “While we are hopeful for a near-normal academic year in 2021-2022, we also understand the need to constantly assess our health-and-safety protocols.”
The fall plan calls for adopting a normal academic schedule for the quarter, which would be from September 22 to December 10, and a return to campus for most students, faculty, and staff. Residence halls will be at near-normal capacity with Munson Hall retained as quarantine space.
Additionally, the plan assumes COVID-19 vaccinations will be widely available for all who wish to be vaccinated. Physical distancing requirements will be relaxed but face coverings will continue to be mandatory, at least for the beginning of the fall quarter.
University sites and centers will continue to follow the protocols and instructional modalities determined by community college partners. Academic and non-academic activities, clubs, and organizations that support the student experience at CWU are also preparing to transition to post-COVID, in-person participation.
“A post-COVID fall quarter will allow CWU to focus on fundamental and ongoing initiatives such as college advising and student support, assessment and accreditation efforts, retention and graduation initiatives, transfer student support, inclusivity and diversity, and professional development for our faculty,” Gaudino continued. “We are excited to get back to more traditional operations as we once again come together as a Wildcat community.”