Key info to know for 2021 minimester, spring term at TU

December 15, 2020

Towson University on Oct. 14 announced its plans for the academic calendar, instructional delivery and campus health and safety standards for the minimester and spring 2021 terms.

Here's a look at some of the key points as the calendar year comes to a close:

• The first two weeks of classes of the spring term (Jan. 25 to Feb. 7) will be conducted via remote instruction, with exceptions made for laboratories, clinical experiences, internships and experiential courses. After those first two weeks, face-to-face and hybrid instruction will be held on campus starting Feb. 8. No additional changes are planned for the academic calendar.
• Approximately 85% of classes during the spring term will be offered remotely, while face-to-face and hybrid course delivery will be conducted at previously determined, reduced densities in accordance with federal, state and local health and safety guidance. Faculty will continue to have the ability to determine the modality of their courses, with synchronous elements to all remote instruction highly recommended.
• On-campus, university-owned residence halls will have a reduced density, and together will house about 2,300 students. No more than two students will share the same bathroom, and all students will have single bedrooms. Appointment-based move-in will be completed prior to the start of classes.
• Quarantine and isolation space on campus will be doubled to 196 beds, with additional residence halls available if needed. More staffing to support and care for students in quarantine/isolation has been added to the Division of Student Affairs.
• All TU students, faculty and staff who will be on campus must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 14 days prior to the start of the spring 2021 semester. Details regarding on-campus testing availability will be provided in early January.
• No changes planned for the spring break schedule, and no baseline test is initially planned for a return from spring break, though circumstances may change those plans.
• Sentinel testing and the daily Tigers Care QuickScan for the on-campus community will continue in 2021.
• TU will continue to show that Tigers Care with physical distancing, by properly wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining sanitized work spaces.
• TU is preparing to serve as a vaccine distribution site.
• Commencement for Spring 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 graduates is in planning stages.