College Presidents Say a Fall Opening Is Likely, According to Survey

A majority of college presidents surveyed by the American Council of Education say a fall opening is likely.

The survey is the second of a 12-month Pulse Point surveys of college and university presidents on COVID-19. Three-hundred and ten presidents responded to the survey on topics such as “their current plans for the fall, including actions they may require to consider reopening campus, the impact of the pandemic on future revenue, and the projected impact on fall enrollment numbers.”

More than half of college presidents (53 percent) said it’s “very likely” their institutions would resume in-person classes for at least some portion of the fall term, and another 31 percent reported it was “somewhat likely,” according to the survey of 310 presidents.

Of the 230 presidents in the survey whose institutions offered on-campus housing, a little over half (51 percent) say it was “very likely” that they would resume on-campus housing for at least some portion in the fall and nearly 40 percent reported it was “somewhat likely.”

The presidents also weighed in on the actions they’re planning to take in order to resume in-person classes and on-campus operations. Sixty-five percent of presidents of institutions with on-campus housing reported they plan to “establish residential space on campus for individuals who test positive to quarantine.” About half of presidents reported they’re planning to “require masks to be worn on campus” (53 percent) and “provide PPE to faculty and staff” (48 percent).

To read more about the survey results and insights, head over to the American Council of Education.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Sam Houston State University Completes Athletic Stadium Renovations

    Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, recently announced the reopening of Elliott T. Bowers Stadium after an extensive renovation project, according to a news release. The university partnered with Stantec and DLR Group for the project’s design.

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • University of Pittsburgh to Build New Residence Hall

    The Board of Trustees from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently approved the construction of a new residence hall for first-year students, according to university news.

  • Philadelphia Middle School Facility Earns LEED Gold Certification

    The Alternative Middle Years (AMY) at James Martin Middle School in Philadelphia, Penn., recently received a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The School District of Pennsylvania partnered with KSS Architects on the project.