Guiding principles for reopening in fall 2020

Principles for reopening set forth at Augustana’s Board of Trustees in May 2020:

• Safety of our students, employees and visitors, as determined by the Centers for Disease Control, and state and local guidelines, is of central importance.

We will continue to consult with recognized public health experts as we develop our plans. We also seek to comply with the standards set forth by the American College Health Association.

If we cannot reopen in accordance with government public health guidelines, we will defer reopening, notwithstanding the financial and other consequences to the college.

• It is our goal and expectation to offer live classes in the fall because we believe live classes and the residential experience are what is best for Augustana students.

We will make all prudent efforts to open consistent with CDC guidelines, even though significant additional costs may be incurred, in order to best advance our mission of helping students grow in mind, spirit and body.

• Augustana will develop high quality alternatives (both with respect to academics and student development) in the event that we are not able to open on Aug. 31 to live classes, which might include the alternatives found in "15 Fall Scenarios."

• Augustana will neither jump to an unsupported conclusion nor follow the pack. Augustana will make a decision about live classes when a preponderance of facts is in evidence, while giving appropriate notice.

We will make decisions based on public health policies as set forth above, and not from pressure from those who advocate positions different from such public health policies.

• Augustana will be prepared for the possibility that we start with live classes but need to move to distance classes (and vice versa) and that classes may be offered online and in person. We will prepare for the possibility of needing to offer classes both on-line and in-person.

• Augustana will conduct itself in such a way as to build and maintain goodwill with all appropriate stakeholders, so as to increase acceptance of and alignment with proposed actions.

To do so we will announce plans as early as possible and be transparent in disclosing the detail of our plans, so students and families can make their own assessment of returning to live classes.