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The Lycoming College board of trustees met recently and endorsed a recommendation to plan for the resumption of residential education in the fall in a way that is both safe and responsible, according to a letter to students from the college's president, Kent Trachte, posted on the college's website.
"This decision was based upon several factors," the letter read. "First, Lycoming County never experienced a pandemic surge and has already moved into Pennsylvania's 'yellow' phase of reopening. Second, the College benefits from a close working relationship with the Williamsport-based regional center of UPMC -- a truly world-class health system. Third, we believe that the nature of our curriculum and our small class sizes will make it easier to adapt to the safety and social distancing protocols that need to be put into place."
The letter said Trachte has established a task force on resuming residential education that will draw upon a broad array of resources to create a detailed plan.
"We will consider everything from how to repopulate campus to testing and tracing protocols, to ways of protecting those that have health conditions that leave them more vulnerable," the letter read. "We will work closely with UPMC and their infectious disease specialists. We will also monitor carefully changing guidelines from the federal, state and local governments. In short, we will work tirelessly to forge a fall experience filled with great learning opportunities in a safe environment."
Recognizing that many families face financial challenges caused by the pandemic and the economic shutdown, the board of trustees also established a COVID-19 Emergency Financial Aid Fund.
"We anticipate that a number of you and your families are concerned about whether you can afford to return to school," the letter read. "Where warranted, this new fund is intended to provide additional financial aid for 2020-21 and help students return to school. Therefore, if you have been financially impacted, we invite you to submit an appeal. You will hear shortly from financial aid about the process for taking this step. … During the past two months, many of us have come to appreciate even more the privilege of being part of this community filled with meaningful relationships and a myriad of campus activities that enrich the curricular experience and create a truly dynamic and rich learning environment. We no longer take these things for granted, and we very much want to return to life as we knew it. While we know that some changes will be necessary, Lycoming College is committed to resuming residential education in the fall. We will be excited to welcome you back!"