September 21, 2020

Dear students, faculty and staff,

Three weeks ago, we promised to confirm CIM’s plans for the spring semester. Having discussed and refined our thinking with faculty and staff leadership and our partners at CWRU, we are pleased to confirm what we think is a safe and forward-looking approach to spring 2021.

Winter Intersession
Starting on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, a four-day Winter Intersession titled “Optimizing Performance and Wellness for a Successful Career in Music” will be offered online, required of all students. These workshops, lectures and break-out sessions have been carefully designed specifically for CIM’s students. Content will include a wide range of topics including the musician’s mind, performance anxiety and career conversations with successful alumni. There is no additional cost to students for the Intersession.

Start with Music
All lessons, chamber music and ensembles will begin on Monday, January 25, 2021 (lessons may begin earlier at the discretion of each faculty and student, by mutual agreement).

CIM and CWRU Academic Classes
All academic courses at CIM and at CWRU will commence on Monday, February 1, 2021. (Note that CWRU has not yet formally announced this date, but they have confirmed it to us.)

1609 Hazel Residents
  • Fall semester housing will end on Sunday, November 22, 2020. If you are interested in renting your room for the period from November 23, 2020, through the start of the spring semester, the details and an application can be found here. The deadline to apply for winter break housing is November 1.
  • Residence Life will arrange return appointments for spring semester between January 14-17, 2021. More information will be provided to residents in the coming weeks.

Testing
As with the fall semester, there will be mandatory testing for all students after your arrival in Cleveland and before your main CIM building/practice room privileges are granted. Testing will be conducted by appointment and scheduled as follows:
  • 1609 Hazel residents who rented their rooms over winter break: January 4-5, 2021
  • 1609 Hazel residents who were off campus for winter break: January 14-17, 2021 (upon arrival)
  • Off-campus students: January 4-5 and January 7-13, 2021
  • Additional testing appointments can be arranged for students returning outside this schedule

You will receive an email closer to the start of testing with the location and a link to sign up for a time.

Spring Break
Starting the spring semester later than our traditional schedule also means that there will be no spring break. Like eliminating fall break, this decision was made to preserve the health and safety of the CIM community.

Commencement
As we have been planning for the spring semester, we have been carefully considering our options for Commencement in 2021. The shift in our academic calendar inevitably leads to a later celebration date. We can confirm now that Commencement will take place sometime between Friday, May 28, and Sunday, June 6. By early February at the latest, we will confirm the date, as well as whether we are able to mark this moment in person or if we will be celebrating online.

While talking with colleagues at other colleges and conservatories, I am aware how CIM students, faculty and staff have worked together to enable us to be in person, on campus. Thank you for your discipline, determination and wisdom during these challenging times. I am tremendously proud of the CIM community and wish you good health and great music-making throughout the year.

To the future,

Judy Bundra, PhD
Chief Academic Officer and Dean