RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Commonwealth University students will return to campus on August 17 for on-campus learning.
Classes will be taught in-person with special accommodations for physical distancing, as well as options for online and hybrid courses.
All students who plan to live on campus must test negative for COVID-19 before moving in. VCU will provide testing kits for students who plan to live on campus, and non-residential students and employees will also be provided voluntary prevalence testing at no charge.
"Some people have rightfully asked why we are planning a physical return at all. The answer is we do so considering both our institutional mission and values and the prevailing science," VCU President Michael Rao said. "...We recognize that not every member of our community has equal access to the technology, support, and personal space that makes remote learning possible. We will leave no one behind because our mission needs the vital perspectives and clear voice of all of us."
VCU will providestudents with back-to-campus kits that include cloth face coverings, sanitizer, and other items. Faculty and students must also complete online training related to safety protocols before returning to campus and then complete daily attestations of health once they have.
"To do this, we need every member of our community — every member — to follow guidelines related to wearing masks, disinfecting their spaces, washing their hands often, and maintaining physical distance. The actions we take in support of each other will speak louder than any of our words," Rao said.
