On March 1, Dr. Elliot Hirshman, president of Stevenson University, announced plans for the fall semester of 2021. While the official start date has not yet been determined, the university anticipates a full return to campus for all students, faculty and staff.

In a video shared with the university community, Hirshman detailed his plan for the return. With a campus positivity rate lower than that of the state and proven effective vaccinations becoming more available, he plans to resume full face-to-face instruction, residence life, student activities and athletic competition schedules.

Damon Koskovich, a junior Business Administration major, is “eager for the full return to a new normal at SU.” He is most excited about being able to socialize with current and new Mustangs and get that feel of having a physical community on campus again. As a member of Stevenson’s men’s basketball team, Koskovich knows the transition will not be easy but is glad to hear of the optimism surrounding a full athletic competition schedule. After competing in a modified schedule this season with limited conference opponents, Koskovich is enthusiastic about the potential of having a full schedule with both conference and non-conference teams.

The plan for the fall will look much different than things are now. At the moment, about 60% of courses are delivered through face-to-face instruction, athletics teams are practicing but limited in competition and most campus and club activities are virtual. The university’s decision to reopen and offer face-to-face instruction in the fall mirrors that of institutions like University of Maryland College Park and Towson University, and Stevenson will follow a similar plan of action.

To help aid in this process, the university has been in contact with local governments, hospitals and pharmacies to help as many people from the Stevenson community become vaccinated before the end of the summer. While the university is not currently requiring people to get vaccinated, it is encouraged, and they hope to facilitate the opportunity for all those wishing to get the vaccine.

In the latter half of the video, Hirshman also gave an update on campus expansion and construction on SU’s other campuses. This summer, construction will begin on the Philip A. Zaffere Library at SU’s North Campus, and the development of more athletic fields and facilities continues on SU’s new East campus.

You can view President Hirshman’s video announcement here, and be sure to stay on the lookout for future updates regarding the university’s reopening plan for Fall 2021.