Learning Spaces
Fordham will be fully in session throughout the academic year 2020-2021. To the greatest extent that the public health situation permits, we seek to teach our students in person and on campus. Classes begin August 26. While we cannot make accurate predictions today about the state of the virus in the months ahead, we are proceeding with all the necessary planning for safely restarting Fordham’s on-campus operations.
The judicious and safe use of learning spaces (classrooms, studios, teaching labs, etc.) requires attention to social distancing standards and other health and safety policies and protocols. The flexible hybrid learning environment plays a critical role in de-densifying classroom occupancy on campus. In-person classroom instruction will be permitted only in Phase 4 of Fordham’s restart plan, and it will be governed by the following guidelines:
- Establish a 6-foot social distance standard between all individuals within a classroom
- Reduce seating capacity within each classroom to approximately one-third of its original value, as dictated by the 6-foot social distance standard
- Identify and assess non-academic space and possible off-campus space for repurposing as temporary classrooms to support the academic mission
- Adjust the quantity and placement of furniture (desks, podia, etc.) to achieve social distancing standard in each classroom
- Upgrade, as needed, the technology in classrooms and learning spaces to ensure academic readiness for flexible hybrid pedagogy
- Assign course sections to individual classrooms while:
- accommodating section enrollments, or segmentation of approximately one-third per social distancing requirements
- maintaining Fordham’s block schedule, with minor modifications as necessary;
- following the current academic calendar
- adhering to the existing Fall 2020 schedule of classes to avoid re-registering students
- observing special needs of faculty and students and distinct characteristics of each course, in consultation with the relevant dean’s office
- Limit faculty and staff offices to single occupancy (without the option of holding face-to-face office hours or advising meetings) if offices are unable to accommodate a 6-foot social distancing standard