News Release: Carthage College announces in-person plans for fall 2021 semester

Kenosha, WI (03/25/2021) — After successfully navigating in-person classes during this unusual year, Carthage College has announced it is planning for a fully in-person student experience for the 2021-2022 academic year. Carthage anticipates a full return to in-person classes and activities including residential life, athletics, fine arts, student research, and other extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities.

"As we have since the pandemic's start, Carthage will continue to follow all public health guidelines to ensure a safe environment for our students, faculty, and staff," said Carthage President John Swallow. "We have shown this year that we can be successful in difficult circumstances, and the many advances in COVID-19 research and the expanding access to vaccines gives us confidence that we can be together on campus again this fall."

Last summer Carthage carefully developed and executed a plan to provide in-person, residential education while minimizing risk to students, faculty, and staff. Residence halls opened to students, modifications were made to the 2020-21 calendar, and faculty had flexibility in how their classes were taught. The long list of safety modifications implemented by Carthage includes reduced capacity in classrooms, dining facilities, and common spaces; symptom monitoring tools; COVID population testing; changes in vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns; extensive signage across campus; and designated isolation spaces in residence halls.

While some students and faculty opted to remain fully remote, the majority of students have been attending classes in person or in a hybrid format since returning to campus in September.

"Our faculty and staff have mastered many new skills and technologies during this year of hybrid work and teaching," said Carthage Provost and Chief Academic Officer David Timmerman. "I know many of our faculty members have discovered new ways to engage students and enrich the classroom experience, from 'flipping' their lectures and discussions, to hosting virtual guest speakers. We will all take the best from this year and bring those skills with us as we move forward."

Carthage will offer Summer 2021 courses in a hybrid or fully remote format, as they were last summer. Barring travel restrictions, January 2022 will include a return of Carthage's J-Term study tours, immersive two- to four-week study abroad experiences that have earned the college the No. 5 spot in the country among baccalaureate colleges for student participation in short-term study abroad.

"There will continue to be some uncertainty for the foreseeable future, and Carthage will adjust as necessary, following all public health guidelines to protect our community," Swallow said. "I am proud of how our community has come together this year to safely provide our students with the most transformative learning environment possible. We look forward to returning to the full Carthage experience this fall."

About Carthage
Carthage College is delivering trend-bucking growth by raising expectations for a private college experience. It blends the best liberal arts traditions with desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, personal attention from distinguished faculty, and a focus on career development, which makes its graduates competitive in the workforce. Founded in 1847, Carthage is located on an idyllic shore of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the thriving corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago. Grow with Carthage: www.carthage.edu