Kentucky Wesleyan College officials are planning to return to a fully operational residential campus — including in-person classes — in the fall of 2021, albeit with new measures in place. The first day of classes is scheduled for Aug. 24.
“We have every intention of a full return to campus for the fall 2021 semester,” KWC President Dr. Thomas Mitzel said. “Given the current trends and vaccination rates, I am optimistic that we will be able to return to a fully operating residential experience for our students and larger KWC community. Although we will not be able to carry out all of our actions in the same manner as pre-COVID, high vaccination rates among our community will allow the campus to begin many of its normal operations with requisite safety protocols in place.”
Mitzel said schools have witnessed over the past year the troubles students at all levels and ages have with regard to isolation that is a part of online learning.
“Kentucky Wesleyan College was founded as a residential college and prides itself in the close bonds that are formed among the faculty, students, and staff,” Mitzel said. “We will bring back all employees and students to the campus in the safest possible manner and we hope that people trust in the science and efficacy of the vaccines.
Kentucky Wesleyan has operated throughout the 2020-21 academic year in a hybrid fashion.
For the upcoming school year, Mitzel said officials have worked on a normal academic calendar as well as a COVID-19 contingency calendar should they need to revisit and take necessary steps similar to the current academic year. Both calendars are available here.
“We will, of course, continue to monitor the COVID situation and will always follow the CDC and Kentucky guidelines concerning the safety of each of our Panther family members,” Mitzel said. “We have entered an exciting time in our fight against the virus and the tools are now available to allow for us to once again become that residential family for which we all aspire to return.”
According to the KWC COVID-19 site, the college has two active COVID-19 cases among residential students. Since March 2020, KWC has reported 133 cumulative positive cases of COVID-19 — including 115 students and 33 employees.
That website includes the college’s COVID-19 tracking dashboard, resources and answers to frequently asked questions pertaining to operations amid the pandemic.
Applications to KWC are available at kwc.edu/apply and they are processed on a rolling basis.
KWC previously announced it will temporarily waive standardized test scores as a requirement for applicants for the 2021-22 academic year. The test-optional policy is being enacted due to the challenges presented to prospective students and their families by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
