May 21, 2020

Update for Fall 2020 [Fall Planning Taskforce formed]

Welcome, everyone, to ArtCenter’s 2020 Summer term. As you know, a lot of energy and creativity went into planning for the Summer term, which has resulted in some exciting course offerings, an unprecedented line-up of notable guest speakers, and new deliverables in studio classes.

I am sending you a brief update to let you know that we have now turned our attention to planning for the Fall term. We have formed a Fall Planning Taskforce, with representatives from educational leadership and staff leadership, defining our “parallel approach” to the term ahead. We will continue with remote teaching and learning online and hopefully incorporate safe and staggered access to campus resources while adhering to federal, state, county and local guidelines. This includes looking at how we might schedule classes and educational programming, utilizing indoor and outdoor spaces, at both Hillside and South Campus. While we know we will not be able to gather in large groups, we are considering how classes dependent on ArtCener facilties might be able to convene in smaller groups with appropriate physical distance.

The taskforce has two teams exploring this parallel approach - Educational Programming and Campus Access to ensure our curricula remains impactful and engaging—whether its offered online or on campus—and that we can reopen our campus in as safe and secure a manner as possible to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community. The taskforce will also incorporate ArtCenter shared governance groups to gain student, faculty and staff perspectives and ideas. We imagine a phased approach to re-opening campus services, continuing to restrict access, and maintaining protocols for physical distancing, personal hygiene and sanitation practices.

We are committed to making a decision in the next few weeks and Lorne will inform you of our plans for the Fall term by July 1, 2020. This will give students, faculty and staff several weeks to commit to the Fall term and plan accordingly.

If you have any questions, suggestions or resources you’d like to provide to inform our two planning teams, please email me at provost@artcenter.edu. 

Wishing you all a successful Summer term.

Karen Hofmann
Provost
ArtCenter College of Design