Return to residence
We will return to residence this fall for the 2020–2021 academic year.
In making our decision to reopen residentially, we led with two principles: a strong belief in the distinctive value of a residential liberal arts education and an unwavering commitment to making any return to our campus environment one that prioritizes the health and safety of our community.
Message from the President
“As you know, any return to our residential program will come with its share of challenges, and we will likely experience some bumps along the way. It will be new. It will be different. It will be memorable. But as a community, we are Better Together, and I know we will rally as Gettysburgians—just as we always do—and continue to do great work in the year ahead.”
We plan for a return to residence aware of the considerable uncertainty that surrounds the public health environment in which we operate and the evolution of the virus. We will continue to update and refine our plans as we prepare for the return of students in August and in response to changing circumstances. Please be assured that we are also working hard to ensure that we are able to pivot and adapt our plans if any changes become necessary.
Central to the success of our planning is a community-wide commitment to uphold health practices and guidelines. Learn more about our new community health guidelines and expectations.
Next steps
As you prepare for a return to campus later this summer, please review these next steps:
- Review and commit to the Student Health Agreement no later than noon on Wednesday, July 29 (deadline extended)
- Review the details and dates of Move-In and Drop-and-Go
- Complete the COVID-19 education module and pre-screening
- Review your housing assignment for fall 2020
- Understand and get ready to register for courses or make course adjustments
- Review the precautionary measures and testing protocols before you return to campus
- Review the revised 2020–2021 Academic Calendar and gap options
- Understand the five adaptive health strategies the community will adopt
Employees should read the Return to Work plan to understand both the campus health and safety requirements for returning to campus, and the resources available for helping to manage the impact of COVID-19.
Upcoming town halls
Students, families, and employees, join us at an upcoming Town Hall session where we will answer your fall return questions. Check your email for an invitation and registration links.
| Date and time | Event |
|---|---|
| August 5, 2020 at 1:30 pm | Town Hall for Students and Parents – Session 2 (repeat) |
| August 10, 2020 at 09:30 am | Town Hall for Employees |
Upcoming announcements
We anticipate sharing details about the following decision points in the time frame outlined below.
| Date | Announcements |
|---|---|
| On or before August 5 | • Additional information about reimagined and new use of campus spaces • Additional details about moving in safely and expectations upon return (ongoing) • Returning students’ financial aid awards (end of July) |
Top questions
- Will the College be residential or remote during the Fall 2020 semester?
- What are the tuition and fees for the 2020-2021 academic year?
- When is Move-In scheduled for new and returning students?
- What changes are being made to the Move-In process to protect student health and safety?
- What is the Student Health Agreement, and when must I sign it by?
- What changes are being made to housing?
- Will I have to re-enroll in my courses?
- When students and employees return to campus, what precautions will ensure health and safety?
- How accessible will COVID-19 testing be on campus?
- What will the College do if a student or employee tests positive for COVID-19, and will the community be notified?
- What is the current status of athletics and fall sports at Gettysburg College?