On July 1, President Laurie Leshin announced a plan to welcome the WPI community back to campus for the new academic year. Driven by science, WPI engineered a plan that adjusted for academics, research, projects, work life, residential life, dining, clubs and activities, athletics, and events in order to reopen the campus in a safety-focused, socially distanced manner.
Continuing a slow, deliberate, and careful process that began in late May, researchers and staff moved back to campus in phases and welcomed more faculty and students with a move-in that began August 23, and classes that began August 31.
In order to keep our global community safe, all domestic, international, and Massachusetts-based IQPs, MQPs, and GQPs are being conducted remotely or on campus at WPI in A- and B-Terms. WPI is working with faculty advisors and project center directors to continue to host meaningful and fulfilling project experiences despite this travel restriction.
• Students were allowed the option to engage remotely in classes through a newly developed TechFlex program. Then again, this highly flexible approach to teaching and learning was already in WPI’s DNA.
• Priority for in-person academics was given to labs, projects, and discussion sections.
• Faculty and staff who can accomplish their work effectively from home have continued to do so, with accommodations for those with high-risk factors.
• Students, faculty, and staff on campus were required to attend health and safety training sessions and be tested for COVID-19; ongoing testing will be a part of campus life.
More info: wpi.edu/we-are-wpi