Manchester plans to open fully for fall semester
Manchester University President Dave McFadden sent out the following email to students, faculty and staff early Monday afternoon:
To all members of the MU community,
I am delighted to inform you that Manchester University is planning to open fully for the fall 2021 semester.
While we understand that the pandemic is not over, the increasing availability of COVID-19 vaccines gives us reason to believe that we can return to mostly normal operations by the time classes resume in August.
We strongly encourage everyone who will learn or work on either Manchester campus to receive the COVID-19 vaccination when it is their turn. The more people who are vaccinated, the less likely we will contract the virus, suffer serious symptoms or spread it to others. The more people who are vaccinated, the safer we all will be and the sooner we can return to the activities and time together that we have sorely missed.
As we have for more than a year, we will continue to follow the science and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That may mean we keep following, for a time, certain guidelines such as wearing masks, avoiding crowds or disinfecting our physical spaces.
This past year has been extraordinarily challenging for all of us. We have learned new ways of connecting with each other, new ways of teaching and learning, and new ways of advancing the University’s mission. We have demonstrated resourcefulness and resilience. We have, I believe, developed a deeper appreciation for other people and our MU community.
As often happens because of personal challenge, Manchester is emerging stronger, too. Our future will not be exactly like the past – it will be better. We will consider ways that we can leverage what we have learned to better educate and serve our students and help us do our work more effectively.
In the meantime, I am deeply grateful for our students and colleagues who have faced this past year with grit and perseverance. The people of Manchester have done an exceptional job of keeping the virus in check and protecting each other from COVID-19.
This is no time for us to let up, however. Our ability to return to a level of normalcy in the fall depends greatly on following our protocols through spring and summer. We have much to look forward to, if we stay the course.
Dave
Dave McFadden
President
Manchester University