Update from Wake Forest President on plans for fall 2020

In a message sent to the Wake Forest University community today, President Nathan Hatch confirmed that “it is our intent — and our earnest daily work — to reopen Wake Forest’s campus with confidence this fall.”

Significant planning and preparation remains before details are finalized, but Hatch announced plans for on-campus undergraduate courses to begin on August 26 and run through Nov. 24. Students will return home for Thanksgiving, and remaining academic work and final exams will occur remotely from Nov. 30 to Dec. 18.

Hatch outlined planning that is underway regarding academics, campus life and public health. The University will share full plans for the fall by June 30. All planning groups are prioritizing the health, safety and wellbeing of members of the campus community and the broader community.

“We trust that each community member will understand that measures will need to be taken to keep one another healthy. One lesson of the pandemic is that individual actions are interconnected. Our ability to sustain a viable fall semester will depend on each of us doing our part,” Hatch said. “It is my commitment that we will do the work — with care and critical thought — that will result in the best possible experience for our community.”

The University has established a website (ourwayforward.wfu.edu), where updates will be posted and members of the Wake Forest community can submit ideas for a successful fall semester.

“More than anything, I want to see our campus filled with life & learning,” Hatch said. “Our calling to provide opportunity and pursue knowledge for the benefit of society will go on, and we will meet the challenges of the day together, as one community, dedicated to the principles of openness, respect, honor, friendship and integrity,” Hatch said.

Read the full text of President Hatch’s message to the Wake Forest community here.