Western Connecticut State University Plans to Open Both Campuses for In-Person Classes

Western Connecticut State University is planning to open both campuses for in-person classes at the end of August. The majority of classes will continue to be taught online, or as a mix of online and in-person, but students and professors will be meeting face-to-face every day.

By Tribuna Staff | Translated by Jamal Fox & Alisson Ziza

Western Connecticut State University is planning to open both campuses for in-person classes at the end of August.

The majority of classes will continue to be taught online, or as a mix of online and in-person, but students and professors will be meeting face-to-face every day.

Administrators have spent the past months deciding which classrooms are large enough to be used while social distancing rules are met. They have also put together a list of guidelines that students, faculty and staff must follow in order to keep the campuses as safe as possible during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Students will also be living in residence halls on campus, and new rules will be in place for them as well.

Like other universities and schools, WCSU started teaching classes online-only in March to offer protection from the pandemic.

“We look forward to working with you in the next semester even as change and unexpected challenges may continue,” said Paul Steinmetz, a WCSU spokesperson. “We have developed guidelines that will allow all students to enroll and participate in the fall semester and we are still accepting students. If you have not contacted us yet, or have questions, call the Admissions office at (203) 837-9000 or send an email to Admissions@wcsu.edu.”

Here are some of the rules that will be in place when students begin to move back on campus starting on August 24.

Wearing masks

Everyone will be required to wear a face mask while on campus, whether inside a building or outside on the grounds. Students who live on campus will be required to wear a mask in residential hall common areas, but not while they are in their apartment.

Hand washing

Classrooms have been reorganized to follow physical distancing rules, generally six feet between students. Hand sanitizer will be widely distributed on campus because hand sanitizing and hand washing, combined with masks, is the most effective methods for containing the spread of COVID-19. There will be surface disinfecting equipment in each classroom so that students and faculty can wipe down desks after each use.

Testing

All students who live on campus need to be tested 14 days before they return. When the semester begins, 5 to 10 percent of students on campus will be tested randomly during the semester. 

If you test positive

If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be asked to isolate at home until your primary care provider clears you. 

Online-only after Thanksgiving

To maintain an environment that is as protective as possible, we will move to a fully online format starting at Thanksgiving and through final exams. When students leave for Thanksgiving, they will not return to campus until the start of the spring semester. 

Support services

The Writing Center, Math Clinic and Career Success Center will operate on an appointment basis and largely online. Computer labs will all be open. The switch to online classes may present new or unique challenges related to a disability. Students should contact AccessAbility Services by emailing aas@wcsu.edu to request accommodations. 

Technology

Students who do not have a laptop/desktop or some other reasonable tool to access their courses may contact Information Technology & Innovation (requestIT@wcsu.edu) for a loaned laptop.

For updated information, please visit www.wcsu.edu.