Baylor University Extends Online Instruction for Fall 2020 Semester

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Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

The pace of the nation’s response to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) scaled up exponentially over the past several weeks. As such, we must all do our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus – or as epidemiologists say, “flatten the curve” – by exercising significant “social distancing,” such as avoiding public spaces, eliminating large gatherings of more than 10 people and generally limiting movement.

I write to inform you that as we follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and our federal, state and local health officials, Provost Brickhouse and I, based on the recommendation of Baylor’s COVID-19 Task Force and in conjunction with the President’s Council, have made the decision to extend online instruction at Baylor University for the Summer/Fall 2020 semesters. This difficult and unprecedented decision – one being faced by colleges and universities throughout the country – was made with the health, wellbeing and safety of our students, faculty and staff in mind.

Here are some important things you need to know:

We have developed the following protocol for students to be able to retrieve their belongings at the end of the Spring 2020 semester:

Students are expected to clear their dorms of belongings immediately after their last online final. There are no time slots for students to arrive and student will not be permitted to stay in their dorms overnight. We will be revoking all access to residence halls on 8:00 PM on May 20th, 2020.

I share in the disappointment for all of our students who will have to stay away from campus for another semester. Please know that Baylor will be easing academic requirements for students on a case by case basis.

We have extended the University suspension of events through the end of the Fall semester. This includes all University activities, events, conferences and large gatherings. As announced earlier, the Big 12 Conference has canceled all athletics competitions through the end of the year.

Please continue to take the preventive actions as recommended by the CDC, including washing your hands, covering coughs with your elbow/sleeve, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Also, please avoid groups and keep a physical distance from others.

I suspect that this news is alarming for many of you, and I know will generate many questions. We pledge to share more information and instructions for you in the days to come, and we will continue to provide updates by email and on our dedicated website www.baylor.edu/coronavirus. You can also email questions to [email protected].

As we walk through these significant challenges together, let us remember to heed Jesus’ command to “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). Let us be kind, gentle and compassionate and help each other through these difficult and emotional circumstances. This is new to all of us, and we are forging a path forward together.

I am deeply grateful for your prayers and support, and I want you to know that I continue to pray for each of you. Despite the “social distancing” requirements, our connections are eternal as members of the body of Christ and the Baylor Family.

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President