It is still unclear what a fall 2020 semester will mean for higher education. What is known is that this will be the most difficult semester higher education has ever seen. Yet, regardless of a virtual, in-person, or a hybrid fall, colleges and universities across the country face unprecedented challenges.
As of June 23, 65 percent of colleges were prepared to reopen, but that number has decreased as colleges across the U.S. have rolled back their plans to reopen as COVID-19 cases have spiked. Protecting students, staff, and faculty has been the driving factor for most institutions, yet with the emphasis on how to best provide academic services. Many universities will cut their fall semester short by ending after the Thanksgiving holiday and reconfigure their campus to meet with social distancing recommendations. The later means making sure safety measures are put in place to protect all university individuals.
This means designating specific doors for entry and exit, separating desks to be six feet apart, mandatory masks required on campus, plexiglass between professors and students, new COVID-19 enforcement policies, along with a slew of other considerations that universities have to consider. Not to mention ensuring that students’ mental health is addressed, preparing for hybrid teaching, reconfiguring dorm life, and the list goes on. In short, there is no one-size fits all and colleges are facing a situation with very few “good” solutions as they not only plan for the immediate future, but the long-term impacts that COVID-19 will have to their institutions no matter what is decided.
Symplicity is hoping to ease the stress of campus leaders by offering its COVID-19 Case Management tool for FREE. Symplicity’s COVID-19 Case Management tool can empower university to know they are doing all they can to help institutions overcome the challenges of the pandemic. Symplicity’s aim is to provide institutions with a comprehensive workflow to reopening the college campus that engages stakeholders and students early and continuously, aligning with state guidelines and each institution’s policies and procedures. By offering this COVID-19 case management solution for free to all eligible higher education institutions until December 2020, Symplicity is hoping to help the higher education community face the uncertain path together
If you’re interested in learning more and seeing if your institution qualifies, email info@symplicity.com or schedule a conversation.