COLUMBIA, KY - Columbia's population will swell by nearly 25 percent this weekend. That's because more than 1,000 students are expected to move into Lindsey Wilson College residence halls for the 2021-22 school year, adding to the city's more than 4,600 residents.
Members of the Class of 2025 will begin moving into the residence halls on the A.P. White Campus at 9 a.m. CT, on Saturday morning, August 28. The rest of the student body will move in beginning at noon on Sunday, August 29.
Prior to arriving on campus for the fall 2021 semester, all residential and commuter students are required to complete one of the following: provide a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination; provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within three days of arrival; or previous positive COVID-19 cases within the last 90 days can submit a release form from their healthcare provider.
Lindsey Wilson is not mandating a COVID-19 vaccination for faculty, staff or students but it is strongly encouraged.
“We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our students for the fall,” said LWC President William T. Luckey Jr. “Lindsey Wilson fully intends to operate as ‘normally’ as possible for the upcoming semester while still prioritizing the health and safety of our community. We are concerned about the significant increase in coronavirus cases. It’s going to take all of us working together to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 this school year.”
At the start of the fall semester, all students, faculty and staff will be expected to wear a face mask in public indoor spaces and in crowded outdoor settings.
As of right now, classrooms will return to normal capacity -- students will be in seated classes for the full instructional period -- there are no hybrid or HyFlex classes available. All students, faculty and staff will be expected to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
LWC Athletics will follow the guidelines, recommendations, and requirements outlined by the college, the Mid-South Conference (MSC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Fan attendance at all athletic competitions will operate at normal capacity. Student-athletes, staff, essential personnel, officials, and fans will be required to wear masks inside athletic venues.
The Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center will operate at full capacity for residents, commuters, faculty and staff. The dining center is not open to outside guests.
The Cralle Student Union Building (SUB) will be fully open with access to the service center, Blue Raider Café, and Starbucks. Events and programs will resume with social distancing guidelines being enforced when appropriate; face masks are required indoors.
“We are excited to be back in face-to-face classrooms, where students have the opportunity to learn in the richest environment available for academic success,” said Luckey. “But if the time comes that in-person classrooms are problematic, we will make a shift. Be prepared and please be flexible. This situation is a moving target and your safety is our top priority.”
You can find LWC’s Playbook for a Safe Return to Campus: Fall 2021 including residence hall expectations, and policies and procedures for isolation and quarantine by going to www.lindsey.edu/LWCPlaybook. For any other questions or concerns please call 1-800-264-0138.
