[Read announcement here.]
Dear AUCC community,
It is with a heavy heart that I write today to share a newly revised plan for the Fall 2020 semester. After careful consideration of the public health risks brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and with the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff as top priority, three AUCC schools – Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College – made a unanimous decision to move forward with virtual instruction for all students for the upcoming semester. Morehouse School of Medicine is continuing with a hybrid model of in-person and virtual instruction given the institution’s role in healthcare delivery and the training of public health and medical professionals.
The robust relationship among our schools is the backbone of the Atlanta University Center. We recognize the special role of campus life at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and we understand and empathize with our students who will undoubtedly miss making in-person connections and forming bonds within the AUCC community. This is not anyone’s first choice, and we worked tirelessly to find a way to safely welcome students back to campus. However, given the surge in coronavirus cases in both the state of Georgia as well as states where the majority of our fall-registered student population reside, the presidents of CAU, Morehouse, and Spelman agreed that virtual instruction is the safest course of action. Today’s announcement also takes into account current data on the disproportionately negative impact of COVID-19 on the Black community as well as the increased spread of the virus within young adult populations.
Throughout our planning process and in various announcements made this summer, we’ve acknowledged the possibility that our plan for the fall semester could change. No matter how well coordinated and strategically devised our plans may be, the reality of the situation is that we alone cannot control the virus.
Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College are all well-positioned to provide excellent virtual education and student life experiences. Over the summer, faculty have participated in trainings to optimize online course delivery. Additional recent investments in technology, learning platforms, and collaboration tools will help ensure that students have an enjoyable and productive academic experience.
I would like to thank faculty and staff at AUCC institutions who have spent the summer months enhancing their skills to ensure high-quality virtual learning continuity and for their commitment to maintaining academic excellence. I would also like to thank the preparedness teams at each institution for dedicating the time and effort required to manage this quickly-evolving situation and for taking the steps to make this unfortunate but necessary decision. These planning efforts have been nothing short of extraordinary and I would be remiss to not acknowledge the highly sophisticated teams of campus leaders and medical professionals who continue to move us forward. Thank you.
Lastly, please be advised that individual institutions will soon provide details regarding tuition, technology assistance, and other pertinent information relevant to each student body.
To our students, please know that your success remains our priority. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly affected both your personal and academic plans and caused you and your families to deal with sudden and unfortunate circumstances that none of us could have ever imagined. Your college experience is one that helps shape not only your academic and career trajectories, but also your development into adulthood. Please know that your AUCC community has your best interests at heart and we remain here to offer guidance and support including health and wellness resources. We are doing everything within our power to ensure that this upcoming semester will be enriching, that you will have meaningful experiences, and that we get through this pandemic together. We look forward to a successful academic year.
Best,
Todd Greene
Executive Director at the Atlanta University Center Consortium
Todd Greene
Executive Director
Atlanta University Center Consortium
Related News:
Clark Atlanta University:
CAU President Fall 2020 Re-Opening Letter
Morehouse College:
Message from the President
Spelman College:
An Announcement from the Office of the President
Morehouse School of Medicine:
MSM’s Fall Plans Unchanged amid AUC Institutions’ Decision
