Schools
Salem State Envisions 'Nearly Normal' Fall 2021 Semester
While masks will still likely be required in public spaces, the hope is for a more traditional campus experience with in-person events.
SALEM, MA — Salem State University officials are hoping the school will return to more traditional campus life in the fall after what will have been 18 months of remote or restricted learning amid the coronavirus health crisis.
What is being termed the "nearly normal" plan for September is envisioned to include the majority of classes held in person, greater residence hall capacity and more in-person campus events.
Salem State President John Keenan said the school will continue to follow public safety guidelines — which are likely to include mask-wearing in public spaces and potentially some gathering limits and physical distancing protocols — but said in a letter to the school community that the school's success in avoiding outbreaks over the past year "gives me confidence that we can safely populate our campus with more students, faculty and staff this fall in a way that resembles traditional campus life."
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"I'm incredibly grateful and proud of our students, faculty, and staff for doing their part to keep our campus and those around us safe," said Keenan.
Anticipated vaccinations and a lower prevalence of the virus in the general population were also cited as reasons for hope that the school can return to a more relaxed and interactive college experience for students and staff within the next six months.
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"One of the best parts of my job is seeing students on campus, engaging with them in person and experiencing the energy that they bring," said President Keenan. "As we continue to be cautious amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we also have reason to get excited about safely bringing back the vibrant, on-campus atmosphere that we have missed over the past year."
The school plans to offer both single and double rooms for on-campus residents, with lounge areas reopened in allowance with public health guidelines at the time. If allowed, the university also plans to hold "in-person performances, activities and celebrations."
Salem State is resuming intercollegiate athletics this spring for the first time since the campus closed at the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. Since then, students have been back on campus since September, but the majority of classes remain fully remote or limited in-person.
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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)
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