By Jhoana T. Merino-Martinez
News Editor
Spring break is cancelled, as well as no study abroad or university-sponsored travel of any kind will be allowed, continuing the policy of the fall, as President Christopher Capuano updated the FDU community on the outlook of the winter and spring sessions … just a week before registration begins.
In an email to both New Jersey campuses Friday afternoon, Capuano laid out the contours of the winter break and the spring semester, all, of course, depending on necessary COVID-19 precautions.
“As many of us feared, the coronavirus continues to be a major threat and risk as we plan for the spring semester,” he said.
Should things look up, Capuano hopes to permit more in-person classes than in the fall. The spring will start with a hybrid approach, though contingency plans will be put in place if circumstances shift due to the virus, Capuano wrote.
Spring recess is cancelled to minimize travel. In its place will be several break days throughout the semester:
- Tuesday, February 16
- Wednesday, March 17
- Monday, April 12
- Thursday, May 6
Finals will start on Friday, May 7, and extend to the final day of the semester on Friday, May 14, according to the email.
Like at the start of the fall semester, resident students will be allowed to live — and move — on campus. Moving in will be phased: Students can begin moving in up to two weeks before the start of the semester.
According to Capuano, on-campus services and activities will be provided to the extent possible.
“The exact numbers of on-campus services and activities will again be dependent on the prevailing circumstances,” he said.
The update also served to remind students that FDU is offering an increased variety of online courses for both winter I and winter II sessions.
According to Capuano, undergraduate courses will get a 50% discount from the published rate, and graduate courses — not part of any doctoral programs — get a $100 discount per credit.
Winter session I begins on Nov. 30 and winter session II begins on Jan. 4.
“This is a great way to take advantage of the extended break and advance your degree at a reduced cost,” Capuano said. “I encourage students to seize this opportunity.”
Capuano ended the email with a note of gratitude for the FDU community’s cooperation during the fall, and a word of encouragement for the future.
“We will continue to display the traits that have embodied FDU for 78 years: resilience, character and, most of all, a passionate commitment to each other and our community.”
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Art by Jhoana T. Merino-Martinez
