To minimize the risk of COVID-19 on its campuses, Linfield University will modify its spring-semester calendars. The goal is to condense the schedule in an attempt to keep students safely inside “campus bubbles” in McMinnville and Portland, as happened in fall.
Spring semester classes on the McMinnville campus and through Online and Continuing Education will start Monday, Jan. 18, and conclude Friday, April 30. The schedule will include other days off throughout the semester, giving students breaks from coursework. Specific dates will be decided upon and shared in the near future.
The Portland campus will start on its previously scheduled start date of Monday, Feb. 8, and will end on Thursday, May 20, to allow for clinical offerings.
Both campuses will eliminate spring break.
To accommodate the earlier start, January Term will instead become a May Term in 2021. Previously scheduled January Term courses will be held May 3-27. If possible, we will include study abroad that had to be canceled due to travel restrictions.
Additionally, ending the spring semester early might allow students not participating in May Term to have a competitive advantage when it comes to obtaining internships and jobs.
“This has been a year of adjustments for all of us,” said Susan Agre-Kippenhan, Linfield provost. “Given that we now know we will be living with COVID for the foreseeable future, our spring plans reflect the updated reality. This schedule also allows for phased-in moving and testing before classes begin.”
The fall semester has proven that the Linfield community can adapt and succeed, despite challenges. The university remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that all students continue their studies and have an opportunity to graduate on time. Academic advisors will work closely with students and faculty over the next few weeks to build spring and May Term schedules that keep students on track.
Additional information about the spring semester and May Term will be announced in the coming weeks via Linfield Ahead, email and on linfield.edu.
“Linfield students have done an exceptional job taking care of one another and the campus community by following public health protocols and being willing to modify the campus social environment,” said Susan Hopp, vice president for student affairs and admission. “We are making these changes to facilitate another healthy and safe campus for spring term.”
