Emory University students will return to campus for the 2020 fall semester under a plan announced today by President Claire E. Sterk and Emory President-elect Gregory L. Fenves.

In a letter to the community, Sterk and Fenves outlined the plan’s major features, which include: offering students both online and in-person classes on campus; shifting the academic calendar to start on Aug. 19, with classes ending by Thanksgiving and end-of-semester exams conducted remotely. 

A comprehensive science- and data-based health and safety plan, which includes COVID-19 testing, physical distancing and enhanced cleaning protocols, also will be implemented. 

“While much will be different this fall, there are core elements of the Emory experience that will remain the same,” write Sterk and Fenves.

“We will deliver courses that meet Emory’s rigorous standards and that are taught by our world-renowned faculty, members of the academic campus community will have access to the tremendous resources of our research university, and students will be part of a community known for its support while our students are pursuing degrees with us and throughout their careers. We will deliver an equivalent Emory experience, knowing the necessity of health and safety protocols will prevent us from providing an identical experience to past years.” 

Details of the plan and updates are available at the Emory Forward website.