Western New England University has announced its intention to resume on campus classes for the fall semester, after being forced to move exclusively to online instruction for the spring and summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Western New England University President Anthony S. Caprio announced the plans in a letter to the campus community, calling the current situation one of the most unique chapters in the University's century-plus history.
"We are a proud University built on the idea that the best education takes place through the rich interactions that students have with caring and dedicated faculty, staff, and classmates" wrote Caprio. "Within the bounds of health considerations, we are committed to doing all that we can to maximize on-campus classes and life, given their centrality to a Western New England education as it has always been envisioned."
Caprio noted that while the University fully intends to resume on-campus classes, the health and safety of students and the broader campus community remains a top priority. Any opening will be accompanied by testing, tracing, and isolation protocols along with social distancing and cleaning standards, along with following the guidance of local, state, and federal agencies. The University has multiple work groups evaluating all aspects of University operations, including health and safety standards, the curriculum, and the residential community.
"We will come together as a community, as we have always done, to make sure that no matter what the fall scenario, we will be together in a way that always has been and always will be a unique part of the Western New England University culture," said Caprio.
