University of Portland Sets Plans for Fall Semester; Will Continue Momentum from Spring Term with In-Person Classes, Students On Campus | University of Portland

University of Portland Sets Plans for Fall Semester; Will Continue Momentum from Spring Term with In-Person Classes, Students On Campus

Pilots Prevent

President

February 2, 2021

Tuition and Academic Fees Will Be Frozen at Current Levels for Fall Enrollment

The University of Portland is setting its sights on a Fall 2021 semester with primarily in-person classes; more students living in the residence halls; and a return to regular campus activities. UP President Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., made the announcement today as a continuance of momentum from the current spring term that has 800-plus students living on campus and a hybrid curriculum of virtual and select in-person instruction. It was also announced that tuition and fees for the 2021-22 academic year would be frozen at current levels.   

“With hope and optimism, I share that the University of Portland is planning to conduct a primarily in-person Fall 2021 semester,” said Poorman through an internal memo to all faculty, staff and students. “Classes will once again mostly be held in-person in our academic buildings; residence halls will return to close-to-normal occupancy; and most campus programming and events will resume. As we have stated since the outset of the pandemic, flexibility will be essential. In the months ahead, we will closely monitor trends in COVID-19 positivity and the impact of new virus variants.  We will be prepared to pivot to alternative plans, if necessary.”

Poorman added, “Given the uncertainty surrounding vaccine availability and long-term public health guidelines, we anticipate that some courses and events may continue to be held virtually and other operations may be impacted. Nevertheless, in light of all that we have learned over the past eleven months, we are confident that we can safely and effectively return to primarily in-person operations in the fall.”

In the same communication, UP unveiled Sunday, May 9 as the date for Commencement Exercises. No official decision has been made yet on whether those exercises will be virtual or in-person.   

Classes so far in the spring term have provided UP leadership with important insights for its fall vision. For several months, UP worked with the Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County Health Department on plans for a measured return to campus that began on January 18.  Approximately 830 undergraduates moved into a portion of the campus residence halls following baseline COVID-19 testing provided by national healthcare provider Carbon Health. The hybrid educational model for the University’s total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students then began on January 25. 

UP continues to inform its campus community and track all COVID-19 reporting online at up.edu/pilotsprevent. Baseline and surveillance tests are administered on a weekly basis, with case management resources and designated areas for isolation and quarantine available as needed.