UCCS will start the spring semester on time, Jan. 19, but will operate as it did at the end of the fall semester with remote instruction for all but a limited number of courses. The campus plans to return to a blend of in-person, hybrid and remote instruction, similar to the start of the fall semester, on Feb. 22.
“Starting the semester remotely is the most responsible action to Protect the Pride and keep our students, faculty, staff and the greater Colorado Springs community as safe as possible,” said Chancellor Venkat Reddy in an email to faculty, staff, students and parents. “The epidemiologists at El Paso County Public Health advised us that even with the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine, the incidence rate in the county will take an extended period to return to levels that make it safe to ease restrictions.”
The residence halls will be open for students in those on-campus courses, in addition to students with housing insecurities and employment needs. All other students living in the residence halls will have a staggered return to campus before Feb. 22.
Spring Break will be divided into two smaller breaks, the first from Feb. 17-19 for the transition to Feb. 22. The second, from March 22-23, will be the first two days of the original Spring Break week. No decision on spring commencement, scheduled for May 14, has been made.
“With the distribution of vaccines beginning soon, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Reddy said. “Now is the time to focus on our long-term goals and persevere through the final challenges of this extraordinary year.”