Realistic and instructive, probably a useful model for urban campuses; some excerpts:
In light of the challenges before us, we want to share four major scenarios currently under consideration. Some of these could be productively combined. The four scenarios are:
A hybrid experience with some in-person instruction. In a mostly online learning environment, classroom instruction would be offered for small seminars, research group meetings, experiential clinics, studios, and other courses enrolling no more than 25 students. These classes could be offered in lecture halls and other large venues that accommodate physical distancing and facial coverings and could even include newly installed Plexiglas barriers for separating lecturers from the audience. All larger classes of more than 25 students would be delivered online, even for those living on campus.
An in-person experience ending at Thanksgiving break. In this scenario—compatible with the hybrid experience described above—the fall semester would begin and end on schedule, but all on-campus activities would conclude as Penn breaks for Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, the remainder of the fall semester would be conducted online. In some cases, in order to ensure the required hours of instruction, some classes might schedule additional meetings in the early evening and/or on Saturdays.
More robust summer course offerings in 2021. To maintain flexibility for our students, we could offer expanded class options, in addition to our current strong summer programming, during the summer of 2021, providing greater opportunities for earned academic credits and cohort-based experiential learning. This scenario is also compatible with the first two scenarios above and would enable us to accommodate an even wider range of educational needs and preferences.
An entirely online experience for the fall semester. In the event that the pandemic precludes us from bringing students back to campus in the fall, we would then conduct all fall semester instruction, mentoring, and advising at a safe distance via technology. In this scenario, we would make every effort to bring students back to campus as soon as possible and to preserve class traditions, including for our entering Class of 2024. This scenario is distinct from the first two scenarios above but compatible with the third....
Campus Life
A “Public Health Social Compact.” This would require that all members of our Penn community agree to: wear facial coverings in public; practice physical distancing of at least six feet in public and in classrooms, and when possible in labs, libraries, and common spaces; avoid large gatherings of 25 or more people, including all co-curricular and extracurricular activities; be regularly tested for COVID-19 (and, if tested positive, agree to self-isolate and quarantine); self-report any COVID-19 symptoms; and, when possible, agree to teach, learn, work, and engage remotely....
New Policies Limiting Travel. Travel from and returning to greater Philadelphia would be discouraged and, in those instances when travel is necessary, the person traveling would need to agree to self-isolate upon returning to campus....
Fewer Students in the College House System....We are evaluating various scenarios that would temporarily reduce the population in our College Houses and other student residences, as fewer students residing in dense proximity reduce the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19. As we plan to keep residents safe, we also must consider managing the ratio of student residents to bathrooms and bathroom fixtures to best ensure a safe living environment.
Dining Halls with Reservations and Take-Out. New approaches to dining may include a reservation system, which would limit the number of diners at any given time for purposes of physical distancing, or a take-out system of timed pickups locally in each College House....
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