Spring Semester Schedule Information
President Woodward sent the following message to the campus community on Friday, Oct. 23.
Dear Campus Community,
As we continue to work together to fight the spread of COVID-19 this fall, plans are well underway for the spring semester. We will continue to offer a blended approach to education, which will include in-person classes, as well as hybrid, remote, and online courses. As always, our plans depend upon ongoing guidance from the state of Connecticut and public health officials, but we remain confident that by following all of our health and safety guidelines, we can continue to keep our campus healthy.
Academic Calendar
We have made some important changes to the spring academic calendar to allow for a longer break, to get through the worst of the winter flu season, and to reduce the number of campus openings and reopenings. These include starting the spring semester 12 days later than previously scheduled and eliminating spring break. Many of our peer institutions in the state and across the country are following a similar strategy. By making these changes and keeping students on campus without having a spring break, we prevent travel-related risks and avoid complications caused by the state travel advisory.
Although there will not be a spring break, the University will create opportunities for downtime throughout the semester, during which the University will offer some additional fun events.
Spring schedule:
- Classes Begin: Monday, Feb. 1
- Classes End: Friday, May 7
- *Final Exams Begin: Saturday, May 8
- Reading Day: Sunday, May 9
- Final Exams End: Friday, May 14
* There are only a few courses that typically meet on Saturdays for exams
Students will be required to show documentation of a negative COVID-19 test before moving onto campus or, for commuters, before starting class. We will share more information about this process, as well as details of spring move-in, soon.
Other Key Updates
Residential Life
As a reminder, residence halls close for the fall semester on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 10 p.m. Students who finish in-person classes prior to Nov. 24 are encouraged to leave for break at their earliest convenience.
At this time, students do not need to sign up for a move-out time slot; there is plenty of time for all students to move out safely if students stagger their departures as they finish classes. As always, social distancing and masks will be required, and we will have additional cleaning of high-touch areas taking place during this time. As a reminder, no guests are allowed in any of the campus residence halls or buildings. If you have someone coming to campus to pick you up, they must fill out the LiveSafe health survey prior to arriving via the app or online.
As of now, and this is subject to change, students may leave their belongings in their rooms/suites/apartments. However, you should take all valuables (money, jewelry, high-end or sentimental items), as well as personal and academic items (driver's license, passport, medicine, computers, textbooks, other academic materials).
Details of the move-out process, how to request a late stay due to a class or travel issues, and information about break housing for those who meet certain criteria will be shared soon.
Travel Restrictions
We are extending international travel restrictions on University-sponsored travel in an effort to protect our campus community. In compliance with the CDC's recommendation that Americans avoid nonessential travel, all University-sponsored international travel, including study abroad, will remain restricted for faculty, staff, and students. We continue to actively monitor guidance from the State Department and the CDC with the intention of changing or removing restrictions as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email covid19@hartford.edu. Our Healthy Hawks website continues to be a valuable informational resource.
Thank you again for everything you do to keep the community thriving. Best wishes for your continued success this fall, and I look forward to this upcoming spring.
Sincerely,
Greg Woodward