Washburn University Announces Plans to Open Face-to-Face Classes in the Fall

Topeka, Kan. – Washburn University announced today that unless there is an unforeseen event, it intends to open the fall semester with a return to face-to-face classes.

“As conditions continue to stabilize in Kansas, the Shawnee County COVID-19 Response Team has released a roadmap to begin to lift restrictions. With that timeline, we are optimistic we will be able to start the fall semester with conventional classes,” said Dr. Jerry Farley, president of Washburn University. “We will continue to watch the situation with the pandemic carefully, but our plans are to return to teaching in the classrooms this fall.”

With the start of in-person classes, the university plans to take extra steps to respond with appropriate social distancing and will be providing more frequent and thorough cleaning and disinfection of classrooms.

The university will also plan to re-open residence halls but plans to reduce the density of occupancy with fewer students in each suite or apartment on campus.

“We also think that many students will not want to leave the state and will stay near family here in Topeka,” Farley said. “In fact, we expect that some students from the Topeka area who have chosen to attend college elsewhere, may decide to come to Washburn this fall and we will be ready to welcome them.

“Whatever the circumstances, we will do our very best to do what we have done for more than 155 years – provide a high quality, affordable education in a supportive environment,” he said.