Northwestern Community,
Amidst what has been an unexpected season, I am grateful for how you have worked together and remained flexible throughout the fall to keep our campus face-to-face. As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we also look forward with hope. I am encouraged by the news of a forthcoming vaccine that we anticipate will allow us to return to levels of personal interaction and daily life we more freely enjoyed prior to the pandemic.
Our campus planning and resurgence teams have kept their eyes on both the present and future. As we continue to work to mitigate the risk of exposure, many discussions have taken place about the 2021 spring semester. While various alternatives and options have been considered, the academic calendar that is currently in place for the spring term will not change. After careful analysis, any change to the spring semester resulted in more challenges than benefits to our community members. We intend to continue offering courses through a variety of course modalities without making any adjustments to the term’s start or end dates. Spring Break and a longer weekend to celebrate the Easter holiday will also remain in place.
To serve our community well, we have worked hard to expand Northwestern’s support service capabilities within areas that are directly impacted by COVID-19 through increased staffing and more efficient systems. As has been the case throughout 2020, Northwestern will continue to consult with the Minnesota Department of Health and adjust as necessary.
Thank you for your faithful prayers as we continue to evaluate and make decisions in the best interest of our students and attempt to provide the most normal experience. We are grateful for you.
President Alan Cureton
