Tiffin University announces reopening plan

Tiffin University will welcome students, faculty and staff back on campus August 17 for their fall 2020 semester.

With an adjusted calendar, classes will end by Thanksgiving break with finals completed remotely.

“This summer, our University team worked diligently to ensure the safety of our entire campus community in preparation for our opening in August,” said Tiffin University President, Dr. Lillian Schumacher. “To help Dragons return to school and work in a safe environment, we asked our students, faculty and staff to take on the Dragon Pledge. The pledge asks Dragons to follow the University’s reopening guidelines. Only by working together as a community can we successfully reopen our campus.”

Tiffin University will practice sanitation procedures, physical distancing, universal mask-wearing and adapt to any other recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local municipalities. Returning to campus during the pandemic necessitates the following new requirements and guidelines.

Currently, classes are scheduled to be held in-person this fall. All seated courses will be delivered in a 15-week Hybrid modality for the 2020-2021 academic year. This hybrid model will mix online and in-person classes.

On-campus students will attend Split-Session Hybrids, where course enrollment is split across two identical seated sessions to maintain social distancing protocols. Instructors will teach the same class twice a week, with half of the enrolled students attending each session. Asynchronous activities, delivered online, will replace the missing instructional seat time.

Move-in schedules will be designed to adhere to social distancing, with students assigned arrival times throughout the weekend of August 15 and 16. All new and returning students will be provided a cleaning package, which includes a personalized TU face-covering.

Incoming first-year and transfer students will be invited to participate in our Welcome Weekend program. Students will engage in various activities (with small groups and wearing facial coverings) throughout the weekend to truly become a part of the Dragon family.

Knowing how important athletics is in many students’ lives, TU plans to provide opportunities for team engagement and a safe return. Fall sports will compete – with limited travel – and practice in small groups.

Spectators can attend athletic events at half capacity. Tickets will be accessed electronically to limit the number of fans attending an event and ensure social
distancing.

All students, athletes, faculty, staff and visitors must wear a facial covering and actively practice social distancing of six feet or more. Before coming to campus, everyone must complete a health assessment on the TU mobile app. If they show symptoms of COVID-19, they will not be permitted on campus.

Classrooms, dining halls, residence halls, offices and other areas will be routinely disinfected.

If a student or employee of Tiffin University tests positive for COVID-19, a RAVE alert will be distributed to the campus community. Students that test positive for COVID-19 will be placed in isolation housing or be required to go home. Employees that test positive will be sent home and telework for 14 days. Contaminated offices and residence halls will be thoroughly cleaned after 24 hours. Tiffin University will continue to work with the CDC and regional and local health care partners to comply with directives and guidelines to safeguard their students, faculty, staff and visitors and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 on our campus.

“Through all of this uncertainty, we remain confident that the TU Community will remain Dragon Strong!” said President Schumacher.