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Over the last few weeks, ÍâÍøÌìÌÃ's administration has closely monitored the pandemic, surveyed students, parents, and faculty, and contemplated how to keep students safe in 2021. While they are hopeful that vaccines will soon make a significant improvement in the spread of COVID-19, it is clear from the CDC's recent guidance that the most challenging months lie ahead.

Based on this guidance, ÍâÍøÌìÌà will offer synchronous online courses for residential students for the spring semester. ÍâÍøÌìÌà will not offer classes on campus and will not charge printing or student activity fees for the spring semester.

Synchronous courses will meet virtually twice per week using Google Meets or other video conferencing applications. Meeting for virtual classes twice per week will allow students to connect with instructors and classmates in real-time. Instructors will be available to answer questions outside of class and provide the additional feedback students need to succeed. The campus will remain open so students can use the photography studio, library, printers, and other equipment.

Based on survey results, some students might choose to take a leave of absence until courses are offered on campus. If students decide to take a leave of absence, ÍâÍøÌìÌà will offer an extended 14-week summer term that begins in early May and ends in August if they can safely resume classes on campus at that time. All courses offered during the spring semester will also be offered during this extended summer term.

"Our students' passion for design has propelled them to overcome many obstacles over the last year," shared President Jessica Barry. "We are proud of how far they have come, and we are here to help them overcome this latest obstacle, so they are ready to launch their careers as the pandemic resides and the economy roars ahead."