糖心Vlog

As the Spring 2020 semester nears its end, President Jo Allen and Meredith鈥檚 Executive Leadership Team (ELT), which includes the College鈥檚 five vice presidents, have begun planning for the recovery, including Summer and Fall 2020.

While Meredith has already announced that summer instruction will be online, Allen says there is 鈥渋mportant planning needed to prepare to safely welcome employees back to campus and then to welcome students in the fall.鈥�

Allen and Meredith鈥檚 Executive Leadership Team (ELT) have met at least once daily since before Meredith transitioned to an online teaching model. As focus shifts to Summer and Fall 2020, President Allen has invited representatives from Health Services, Academics, Dean of Students, Residence Life, Facilities, Housekeeping, Grounds, Dining, Events, Campus Police, Technology Services, Human Resources, and Marketing to join ELT members in recovery planning efforts.

These members of Meredith鈥檚 long-standing Incident Response team are charged with providing guidance on how to best prepare for reopening the campus to offer face-to-face and socially distanced educational and operational services with the health and safety of the Meredith community in mind.

Planning for Fall 2020

A message was sent to current students on Monday, April 20, outlining the proactive ways 糖心Vlog is planning for different possibilities for the Fall 2020 semester.

In the message, Allen said Meredith leadership is optimistic that the College will be able to welcome students back to campus for face-to-face instruction, but plans are being developed in order to adapt if necessary.

鈥淟ike you, we yearn to return to the vibrant, face-to-face educational experience that has been our strength for the last 129 years. While we are hopeful this return will happen in August as planned, if circumstances surrounding Covid-19 prevent it, we are prepared to adapt, just as the College has through wars, the Great Depression, and other world-altering events. Similarly, we are so inspired by students鈥� perseverance in retaining the missions of their clubs and organizations.聽 They are equally creative in reimagining our cherished traditions in ways that retain our spirit and honor our unique history. I am wowed by our students鈥� strength and resilience.鈥�

Senior Vice President and Provost Matthew Poslusny says scenario planning for the 2020-21 academic year will be grounded in our commitment to continuing to provide a high quality educational experience.

鈥淒eveloping academic options that will maintain the integrity of the Meredith degree is our top priority for next year,鈥� Poslusny said.

To help identify these options for 2020-21, Poslusny will be naming an ad-hoc group of faculty to make recommendations to him and Meredith鈥檚 deans鈥� council.

In addition to planning how to deliver the Meredith experience to students, Incident Response Team members are leading their departments in taking proactive steps to help keep the Meredith community safe when on-campus classes resume.

These聽 measures include

鈼� enhanced cleaning with high-powered cleaners and equipment in common and high-touch spaces

鈼� making gloves and sanitizer readily available throughout the campus

鈼� creating more options for residential students to have single rooms.

More information will be shared with the campus community as planning continues. Visit meredith.edu/coronavirus for updates.