Memos from Moore: Updates to the Spring 2021 Academic Calendar

Posted

Dear Moore students and families: 

On behalf of Moore College of Art & Design’s Emergency Response Team, I am writing to share new updates with you about Moore’s plans for the spring 2021 academic calendar.  
 
As you’ll recall, we made the decision in June to start the fall 2020 semester early and to withdraw our mid-semester fall break from the academic calendar, in order to send students home by the Thanksgiving holiday and conclude the semester with remote activities. We made these changes in an effort to maintain community health and safety; a compact semester helps to ensure that students remain safe on our campus throughout the duration, and that they make it home before the beginning of cold and flu season. So far, so good, I’m pleased to say. Moore students are doing a terrific job of looking out for themselves and for each other, modeling ideal behavior during a challenging time.
 
As I’m sure you know, local and national public health experts are continuing to advise everyone to prepare for the upcoming winter months, when the cold and flu season overlaps with COVID-19. This advice is especially important for colleges and universities to heed, and as a result, we are making changes to the spring 2021 academic calendar.
 
Please read through the following changes carefully.
  • Spring 2021 semester classes will now begin on Tuesday, February 2.
  • Residence Hall move-ins will now take place on Friday, January 29 and Saturday, January 30, and each student living on campus will be assigned a specific move-in time slot on one of those days.
  • Spring Break 2021, previously scheduled for March 8–12, will be cancelled in order to avoid off-campus travel.
  • The last day of classes will now be May 10, with the term officially ending on May 21 and Commencement on May 22.
I’d also like to remind residential students and their families that it is important to move out of the Moore residence halls completely by Wednesday, November 25, for the extended winter break. Spring housing assignments will be different than fall, so you must take all of your belongings with you.
 
We realize that these compact semesters often mean a long stretch of time for students to be on campus without visiting home, which might feel difficult or overwhelming, especially for those not used to being away. Academic Affairs and Student Affairs are actively working on ideas for special activities throughout the spring focused on reflection, creative refueling and wellness, to help students stay refreshed and in good spirits.
 
For students who would like to talk to someone about any anxiety or stress they are experiencing, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our mental health counselors, who have availability through the end of the semester and again in the spring. They have also provided the following links to help you during the months between semesters:
We will soon post additional planning information about the spring 2021 semester on the Moore website, and we pledge to keep you updated on any new developments. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to keeping Moore a safe campus where we can all learn, work and thrive. 
 
With best wishes, 
 
Cecelia Fitzgibbon 
President