Bryant To Bring Graduate Students Back On Campus This Fall

SMITHFIELD, RI — Add graduate students to the list of those Bryant University is expecting to welcome back to campus this fall.

Three months after closing the campus due to the coronavirus crisis, the school announced on Wednesday that graduate programs will join undergraduate programs with "face-to-face meetings" beginning this fall.

On April 30, Bryant became one of the first schools in New England to announce its intention to bring students and faculty back to campus in the fall, and has since provided guidelines for summer faculty, staff and student employees returning to campus on a limited basis starting this month.

Graduate classes will begin Aug. 25 and will end on Nov. 13, with finals to be held Nov. 14 through 24. This means students will return back to campus after the Thanksgiving holiday.

"In terms of class format, we will have you in person as frequently as possible," the school said in a statement. "Again, we are committed to adhering to relevant guidelines, including cleaning and social distancing. Based on current guidance, this means that classrooms will be disinfected regularly, and students will be spaced 6 feet apart. While classrooms have not yet been assigned, this may mean that some students will participate remotely on some days, while others participate in person, on a rotating basis."

Grading will go back to traditional means as well with letter grades being reinstated after "pass/fail" grading was used due to the extraordinary circumstances this spring.

All classrooms will include the equipment necessary to broadcast the lesson remotely.

Like other students and faculty, each day before coming to campus, graduate students will be required to complete a short survey on an app.

"If you are not feeling well, we ask that you stay at home," the statement said. "If you are still able to participate in class, you are encouraged to do so remotely until you are well again. We will be
prepared to accommodate you using technology."

International students will be welcomed back to campus as well, with a remote option for those who are not able to gain clearance to return to the country due to coronavirus restrictions.

The school said it hopes to resume its travel program for MBA students, but allow it may need to be modified as the trips become closer.

Related Patch Coverage: Coronavirus In RI: Bryant Plans For Students To Return To Campus

Bryant President Calls For 'Empathy and Respect For Diversity'