Goucher College will remain online for spring semester due to high COVID positivity rates

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — Due to the high COVID positivity rate in Baltimore County and the state of Maryland, Goucher College has announced they will be remaining online for the spring semester.

President Kent Devereaux said in a letter to the Goucher community that they "will proceed with a compressed 13-week spring semester schedule, commencing as planned on Monday, February 8th with the overwhelming majority of their classes delivered online, and not offering a residential housing option for their students this spring."

Devereaux continues stating that they do not anticipate changes to their staffing plans at this time.

"Because of our decision to remain a non-residential college this spring, starting this week expect Student Financial Services to send out revised financial aid award letters to students who had intended to reside on campus this spring," the letter states. "These updated awards will reflect any adjustment in financial aid based upon a revised cost of attendance."

They state that they are aware there may be specific cases where access to College facilities and equipment is an essential part of the learning experience.

"Consequently, our Provost Dr. Elaine Meyer-Lee will be working with the faculty to identify those most critical areas to see how we might support some limited in-person learning on campus this semester. We will also be looking at how we can make other campus-based resources such as the library available for use by local Goucher students while we remain in a primarily non-residential mode this spring."

Additional details will be provided by January 25.

"With our decision to remain virtual for the entire spring term, we do not anticipate being able to participate in Landmark conference competition for the remainder of the academic year," Devereaux said. "The Landmark Conference college presidents will meet this Friday, January 8th and make a final decision. However, regardless of any decisions, all student-athletes should know that they will retain an extra season of eligibility under the updated NCAA Division III rules."

More information will be provided for commencement and other events at a later date.