I was recently reading an article in Barron’s titled “A Return to Campus, But Not to Normalcy.” It was written by Stephen K. Klasko – the president of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health – and Mark L. Tykocinski, the school’s executive vice president and academic affairs provost.
In the article, the duo explain how:
“Almost every university in the U.S. has suffered painful financial losses – refunding room and board to students, forgiving revenue-producing summer events, and paying for online technology to help sustain learning for spring and summer programs.”
For the record, it was no picnic on the parents' and students’ end either. Believe me.
Last month, my daughter graduated from college. She plans to begin grad courses this fall and was able to obtain a partial refund for room and board. And my son will be starting his freshman year at the same time, causing more COVID-19 questions and solution seeking.
It’s been quite the shutdown so far. For everyone involved.
But I might have some good news.
The New Normal Won’t Be Completely Different
Back to that article, the co-authors went on to explain how:
“In a very compressed time span, we have begun to define the higher education of the 21st Century. What we’ve seen is a future marked by virtual tools, hybrid delivery of curriculum and, most importantly, the need to be nimble, creative, and imaginative in meeting the challenge of an increasingly digital world.”
As such, Thomas Jefferson University will be resuming an in-person educational format. However, it does recognize that:
“Some students may be concerned to join an in-person class. Where possible, we’ll create an all-digital option. Some classes will have extra sessions to maintain smaller sizes. Residence halls will be set up for single rooms, and we’re exploring off-campus housing options
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