Rose-Hulman to Continue In-Person Instruction

(photo courtesy of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology)

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology says it will continue in-person classes for the summer and fall semesters this year. The school says it implemented a return to campus plan that called for ongoing COVID-19 surveillance testing of the campus population throughout the current academic year, which included in-person, online and hybrid instruction. 

Rose-Hulman President Robert Coons says the campus COVID-19 positivity rate has been lower than the state and national averages, and has continued to decrease this year.

“After consultation with our campus health experts and leadership team, I’m confident that if we continue to trend in the right direction and individuals in our community get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible, we’ll be able to increase our in-person experiences by summer.”  

The college says more than 47,000 tests have been conducted since May 2020, with an overall positivity rate of about .04%. Coons says while 2020 saw several traditional in-person events, like homecoming, held virtually, plans are being made to hold in-person events beginning with May Commencement for the class of 2021. 

“We’ll continue to evaluate future plans in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines, and will be ready to pivot if necessary, but I’m excited about the prospects of resuming some of our long-standing traditions in-person as we wrap up this academic year and head into the next,” Coons said.