Loyola announces plans to reopen its campuses for Spring 2021 semester

Loyola University Maryland released its plans for reopening its campuses for the Spring 2021 semester to the greatest extent the public health situation permits. Undergraduate students will have the opportunity to attend classes in a hybrid format—in-person and online—while living either on-campus or off-campus. Students will have the option to study remotely from home. Graduate students will take courses online, in-person, or in a hybrid model.

“It is troubling to see COVID-19 cases rising in Maryland and across the country, and it seems likely we are looking at a challenging winter. We have been developing our reopening plan, however, with the expectation that there could be an increase in cases,” said Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J., president. “We feel confident that the steps we are putting in place—including creating a detailed plan for testing, contact tracing, and case management—will help mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 and position us well for the Spring 2021 semester. I’m grateful that we have an excellent plan and that we have time to further refine it and test it before we welcome students to our campuses for in-person instruction in January.”

In preparation for the Spring 2021 semester, the University has developed a partnership with LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital, to assist with the provision and oversight of medical guidance and case management as well as symptomatic COVID-19 testing. Loyola’s leadership is working with the Baltimore Health Department and seeking guidance from an infectious disease specialist.

Loyola will administer surveillance testing on-site for students, faculty, staff, and administrators, and the University has identified an outside firm to handle contact tracing for members of the Loyola community.

View additional details in the Loyola’s Reopening Plan. 

Loyola will continue to monitor and take guidance from the State of Maryland, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Baltimore City Health Department, and other government and health experts and organizations.

Leading up to the Spring 2021 semester, Loyola’s leadership will participate in tabletop exercises to prepare for COVID-19 mitigation on campus.