HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — When Marshall University’s 2021 spring semester begins in January, the university will continue to offer a combination of face-to-face, virtual and online classes.
President Jerome Gilbert announced the university’s plans Tuesday and said the decision to stay with the current instructional model will allow university officials to continue to monitor the pandemic in the region and to keep the density on Marshall’s campuses at a minimum.
Gilbert called Marshall’s fall semester ‘remarkable’ in the sense of everyone rallying together to fight COVID-19.
“And, we can look forward to the spring semester with high expectations,” he added in a release. “Although the pandemic continues to make adjustments necessary, the success of the fall semester indicates we are on the right track.”
Classes for the spring 2021 term will be offered in the following formats:
– Face-to-face: meaning a traditional classroom experience (although with reduced classroom occupancy and required face coverings)
– Virtual: meaning class sessions held live through the university’s learning management system Blackboard and peripheral software, with instructors broadcasting lectures and leading classroom discussions at the specified class meeting day and time. (Sessions may be recorded so students who do not have reliable access to broadband and/or other technical difficulties can watch the class at another time.)
– Online: meaning with no live/real-time class meetings. Course assignments, notes, group chats and discussions are posted on Blackboard and can be accessed at the student’s convenience.
According to Gilbert’s letter to the university community, freshmen, some graduate and most professional students should continue to expect some combination of face-to-face and virtual courses.
Each academic program will determine which courses, such as labs, clinicals and studio classes, will be offered face-to-face.
The university will continue to offer increased counseling, tutoring and other academic support services.
Residence hall move-in will occur over several days, Jan. 15-18, and all students will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival.