University announces changes to spring calendar

  Wednesday, October 7, 2020 10:30 AM
  News, Academics

Pittsburg, KS

Changes have been made to the university’s spring calendar in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campus and in the community, Pittsburg State University announced today.  

The spring semester will start as scheduled on Jan. 19. Spring break, originally scheduled for the week of March 22, has been moved to the end of the spring semester during the week of May 10. Dead week will be the week of April 26, and finals week will be the week of May 3. Spring commencement will move to May 7 and 8. 

“While advances in science and mitigation strategies will continue to evolve, we don’t expect the virus to disappear in time for the spring semester,” said Provost Howard Smith. “We also know that reducing exposure will continue to be the most critical element of keeping our campus open and healthy.” 

“Spring break is traditionally a time when students travel for vacation, or at minimum return home to their hometowns,” he said. “This schedule still provides that opportunity but puts it at the start of summer rather than in the middle of the semester when they would be returning to campus.”   

The changes align with the approach PSU is taking this fall to reflect virus mitigation best practices; the university will dismiss face-to-face classes on Nov. 20 and finish the semester online.