Houghton University has now filed its plan for resuming residential education in August and is actively preparing for students to return to campus. “As we plan for the fall, we are working diligently to preserve as much as we can of the treasured sense of relationship and community that is at the heart of a Houghton education while also attending to the concerns of public health,” said Houghton University President Shirley Mullen.  

Dean of Students Marc Smithers is Chair of the Preparing a Residential Education Plan (PREP) team. He reports that, in consultation with county and state health officials, he and his team have been working diligently all summer on preparations and protocols to provide a safe environment to which students can return this fall. Modifications to classrooms, mealtimes and high-touch extracurricular activities plus masking, social distancing and cleanliness are just some of the changes that will be in place when students arrive on campus in late August. “We have structured our fall semester to be one that offers students a safe and healthy environment to live and learn in and affords ample opportunities for social and spiritual engagement,” reports Smithers. 

Students will be arriving on campus at scheduled times between August 21 and 23 and will undergo a COVID-19 reorientation from the 24th through the 28th. Classes begin online on August 31 and in person on September 7. 

For vulnerable populations and those who wish to remain home for the fall semester, Houghton offers the option to complete courses through remote instruction. Whether choosing to complete a full semester online or transitioning mid-semester due to changing circumstances, students have the flexibility to stay on track for graduation wherever they are. 

More information concerning Houghton’s preparations for the fall may be found online at https://www.houghton.edu/covid-19/.