Dear Students,
I hope that your holiday season and winter break have been enjoyable.
Since my last communication to you on December 22, we have continued to closely monitor infection rates in our region and the state. The infection rates in the counties that surround Shippensburg University are now higher than the state positivity rates, and health officials have indicated rates may have not reached their peak following holiday gatherings.
In addition, PA Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, announced this week that a new, more contagious strain of the virus has been detected in our region for the first time. Health officials warn there is still much to learn about this variant and communities must remain vigilant.
With priority given to the health and well-being of the campus community and consideration for your academic success and your college experience, we are adjusting the start of the spring semester.
- The Spring 2021 semester will begin Thursday, February 4, one week later than previously scheduled.
- Instruction will be delivered remotely through Friday, February 19.
- Face-to-face and hybrid course delivery will return to campus beginning Monday, February 22.
The delay in the start of the semester, along with the remote instruction window, allows infection rates to decline and relieves the pressure on our region’s health care resources. It also ensures the best possible experience under these trying circumstances.
Residence Hall move-in is Thursday – Saturday, February 18-20. View the Raider Respect FAQ “When is Move-in Day?” for details.
When you return to campus, you can look forward to a new, more robust testing protocol. In conjunction with already implemented mitigation protocols like mask wearing, social distancing, and density reduction, the new Raider Rapid Response (R3) testing program allows for a richer on-campus experience. Active students can more fully engage in clubs and activities, intramurals, sports, and experiential learning. Simply put, this new testing program will allow students to get more enjoyment from their in-person experiences. All COVID-19 testing, including the R3 testing, is free to students.
Classes will end on Friday, May 14, with final exams administered online May 17-21. Dates for Graduate and Undergraduate Commencement will be announced in March.
The student billing due date is Tuesday January 12, 2021. Fees will be prorated based on the university’s reduction in service for the two weeks of remote instruction. View the Raider Respect FAQ “What about student billing and fees?” for details.
To help mitigate any potential challenges, students can wait to pay their bills until adjustments have been made. If a student has already paid their bill, refunds will be generated after adjustments are made and/or via the financial aid disbursement and refund process. Please be patient while we make the adjustments.
For additional information regarding the start of the semester including housing, academic support, campus life, dining services and more, please consult the Raider Respect Return to Campus FAQs.
Please understand that these decisions are being made with the health and well-being of the campus community at the forefront.
Thank you for your continued patience, and we look forward to convening soon for a productive and healthy Spring semester.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tom Ormond
Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Additional information
Spring 2021 Semester Adjustments
- Thurs. Feb. 4 – Classes begin with remote delivery
- Thurs. – Sat., Feb. 18-20 – Residence Hall move-in
- Mon. Feb. 22 – Classes return to face-to-face/hybrid course delivery
- Thurs. Mar. 25 – Raider Rest Day #1
- Fri., Apr. 23 – Raider Rest Day #2
- Fri., May 14 – Last day of classes
- Mon. – Fri., May 17-21 – Final exams administered with remote delivery
Academic Support
Academic support is available to all students through the Office for Student Retention and through the Learning Center. Students can e-mail the Office of Student Retention at retention@ship.edu.
Housing and Residence Life
Residence Hall move–in will occur Thursday – Saturday, February 18-20. The Office of Housing and Residence Life will follow up with information regarding the move–in process, including a link to a form for students who need to request special accommodations.
On-campus residents who are approved to arrive for the remote instruction period will move in Monday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 2 unless otherwise communicated.
All students living on-campus in residence halls will be expected to get a COVID test and quarantine on campus upon arrival. More information will be shared about the specific testing date, time, and location based on your arrival.
CUB/Campus Life
The Ceddia Union Building (CUB) will add limited hours (1-6 p.m. daily) for the Red Zone and Game Zone while continuing winter break hours.
There will be virtual programming options for all students. Small kits and programs will be provided to on–campus students. Additional in-person options will be available once we return to face–to–face instruction. The Campus Life office will provide support through both virtual and in-person options.
Student IDs will be available during CUB operating hours. If you have questions or would like to pick up your ID, please email: IDCard@ship.edu or call the CUB Info Desk at 717-477-1560. The CUB Info Desk is located on the first floor.
Health Center
Etter Health Center will continue modified Winter Break hours until February 4. Updated hours can be found at: https://www.ship.edu/life/wellness/health-center/
Counseling Center Counseling services are not offered during winter break and will resume with the start of the Spring semester on Feb. 4. The Center remains open for administrative services until the start of the semester.
ShipRec
Once the semester starts, ShipRec will be open Monday – Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Traditional semester hours will begin Monday, Feb. 22.
All students wishing to use ShipRec must have a student ID, check their temperature at the entrance, and have completed a weekly COVID test before entering.
Dining Services
Dining Services will maintain Winter Break hours in Reisner through Feb. 8.
- Winter Break Hours
- Breakfast: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Dinner: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Dining Services will have a different schedule from Feb. 8-17.
- Feb. 8-17 Hours
- Breakfast: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Dinner: 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Dining Services will resume normal operations on Feb. 18.
Student Employees
Student employees should confirm work dates with their supervisor prior to the start of the semester on Thursday, Feb. 4.
Students are strongly encouraged to update their contact information at https://my.ship.edu and to check their e-mail for any updates from HR.
Student Billing
Residential students who return to campus between February 18-20 will receive a prorated reduction to their housing, meal plans, student union fee and recreation fee.
Housing and meals plans will be reduced by the two weeks of remote learning.
The recreation fee will be adjusted down from $16/credit hour to $14/credit hour.
For all students, undergraduate and graduate, the student union fee will be adjusted from $25/credit hour to $22/credit hour.
The student billing due date is Tuesday, January 12. To help mitigate any potential challenges, students can wait to pay their bills until adjustments have been made.
If you have already paid your bill, refunds will be generated after adjustments are made and/or via the financial aid disbursement process. Please be patient while adjustments are made.
Library
The Ezra Lehman Memorial Library will operate with adjustments from Feb. 4-19. The Library will be open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. during this time.
During this period, the Library will not be fully staffed, and some services such as technical help may be limited.
Inter–library loan and document delivery services will continue. Reserve services will continue in largely electronic form, with a three-day quarantine on all physical items returned.
Faculty reference services will be available via chat, email, and Zoom.
The Luhrs Library will be closed if GBLUES is not in session, but Luhrs Library materials will be available by request and can be picked up from the Lehman Library circulation desk.
Beginning Feb. 22, the Lehman Library will operate under normal hours:
- Monday – Thursday 7:15 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- Friday 7:15 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday 12 – 9:30 p.m.
Office hours will be maintained on Raider Rest Days
