President David Spittal, EdD, announced that MidAmerica Nazarene University is planning for an open campus this fall and will offer all of its face-to-face classes and campus services for the 2021-22 academic year as well as its online programs.
“We are thrilled with the outcome of the 2020-21 academic year,” Spittal said. “To have maintained in-person classes and most campus services, including housing and many student activities, during the pandemic, was a tremendous boost to this university community. Our three Commencement ceremonies last weekend were celebrations first and foremost of the students’ achievements, but also, of the whole community’s achievement.”
In addition to these results, MNU experienced an increase in enrollment during COVID with 17% more students in fall 2020 than the year before.
“Our faculty and staff decided not to let the pandemic stop them,” Spittal said. “Though much of the work and planning last summer was virtual, they never stopped helping students enroll and persevere. I could not be prouder of them or the students who stepped out in faith and enrolled when things seemed uncertain.”
In addition to employing health and safety protocol as recommended by the CDC and Johnson County, MNU faculty and staff implemented a plan called Pioneering Forward that covered everything from academic departments moving courses online to creating a position for a COVID coordinator to help students and staff navigate symptom checks, testing, quarantine/isolation and more. The university’s Emergency Response Team, led by Jon Spence, associate vice president of facilities services, met regularly to oversee protocol and planning for COVID-19 response.
- Face-to-face classes and full campus services for 2021-22 as well as online programs.
- Enrollment increased during COVID with 17% more students in fall 2020 than the year before.
Spittal announced that fall 2021 plans include student housing and residential life, learning center services, meal services and a full schedule of student events and activities. Chapel, athletic events, concerts, performances and special events will be held on campus with spectators and guests welcome. Professional and Graduate classes that are offered online, in a hybrid manner or on campus will also continue as scheduled.
Spittal said the health and wellbeing of the campus community continues to be the highest priority at MNU. He said university faculty, staff and students are encouraged to complete COVID-19 vaccinations prior to the 2021 fall semester.
The university will continue to monitor conditions and the protocols recommended by the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. If conditions require changes in the plans above, the university will continue to be flexible and responsive.
View Commencement 2021 photos. Watch Commencement videos at www.mnu.edu/commencement.
