As our Andrews University community makes the transition to remote learning on March 30, there are all sorts of questions beyond how remote classes work—and that includes questions about keeping our mind, body and heart healthy and changes in living arrangements, tests, graduations and more.
You’ll find answers to those questions below, and we’ll continue to update this list as new and relevant information becomes available. | (Updated April 1, 2020)
Andrews University is actively coordinating with the Berrien County Health Department and University Medical Center as it relates to the health and wellbeing of our campus community. A COVID-19 Operations Task Force was added in February to ensure that Andrews’ existing Outbreak/Pandemic plan is consistent with the CDC guidelines for COVID-19. Concurrently, the University is working with faculty, staff and students, as well as those participating in the wide variety of international educational programs (ACA and Student Missions). All of these groups are working closely together to ensure a coordinated response.
COVID-19 symptoms include the following:
Currently, testing for COVID-19 must go through the Berrien County Health Department. The Health Department limits tests to individuals who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who had close exposure to a confirmed case.
We have received questions from students regarding Andrews University's switch to a remote learning model for the conclusion of the 2020 spring semester. Those students have asked whether that change in approach means that this semester's tuition costs will be reduced.
As is the case with other US universities that are usually campus-based in their education, Andrews has not made a shift to a fully online university model during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to these current circumstances, we have switched to a remote learning approach that is designed to help keep both students and employees safe. However, as a result of this change to remote learning, our delivery costs are not less than they were face to face. We still have the same faculty and while some expenses have decreased others have increased (such as technology costs). We are also committed to continue to offer services that are not usually available in online programs, such as our counseling and student support services.
In addition, please note that even on-line courses vary considerably in price. Currently full online programs at Andrews University are around 50% of regular tuition, but no scholarships such as APS are available for these programs. Some individual courses may be offered at a lower price, but those are largely intended to supplement regular program attendance. In addition many of those online courses are taught by adjunct lecturers, not our regular full-time professors, so the academic structure is very different. This is why costs for a particular online course can be lower.
We want to assure you that we look forward to returning to our full normal operations as soon as possible.
However, in the meantime, Andrews has set prices at a level that will allow the University to continue to serve all of our students in the best way possible, and with minimal disruption to their ongoing educational program and the support systems we offer to these full-time students. As a result, that currently does not allow us to consider reducing tuition.
The University will determine the most effective means of class delivery, bearing in mind the various time zones of students. Often, remote learning options will be delivered “asynchronously” meaning students can access class lectures and projects as/when needed.
Many internet providers offer low-cost high-speed access. Please contact your local internet provider. If your provider is Comcast/Xfinity, customers who are eligible for their "Internet Essentials" service can get two months free. Details are available at https://internetessentials.com/. Those remaining in campus housing will continue to have internet access through au-secure.
We understand that some students depend on May Express courses to fulfill graduation requirements. The May Express—Home Edition is being offered during the same time and will provide an array of four-week online courses.
We are now going through the process of canceling study tours scheduled for the months of May and June (as you may know, we earlier had canceled all spring break tours here at Andrews). If you were registered to participate in these tours, you’ll receive more information on the implications of these decisions from your tour leaders.
Other programs that are currently scheduled to offer courses in May and June are also planning to provide those courses via remote instruction.
The University is currently reviewing impacted programs (i.e. physical therapy, nursing, etc.) to determine if students within certain programs should qualify for an exemption to reside in the residence halls. See “Housing” for more details.
Students should consult with their professors and academic programs to explore how similar learning outcomes can be achieved in their local area or by the use of virtual and electronic connections when travel and direct contact aren’t possible.
Students should connect with their academic advisors through the use of virtual and electronic connections as they plan their fall semester schedules. Registration Central will open for students on April 6, 2020, for both fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters.
Registration Central will open for students on April 6, 2020, for both fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters.
As the University switches to remote delivery of its courses for the remainder of this semester, students are encouraged, where possible, to return to their place of permanent residence. Students in Lamson, Meier and University Towers will need to leave their residence by the move-out date of March 22, unless they receive prior permission to remain longer. This permission to remain would likely be offered to international students and to those students who need to remain in the local area to fulfill clinical or lab requirements.
Yes, there will be a daily pro-rated refund that will be credited to the student account for those who move out before the end of the semester. The amount of the refund will depend upon the date of official check-out.
The following students may be eligible for the housing exception to remain in the residence halls:
Students should pick up and complete the “Permission to Remain in the Residence Hall'' application from the Student Life office. The completed application should be returned to the Student Life office no later than Friday, March 20, at noon EST. Students will be contacted by the director of Residence Life, Dean Jennifer Burrill, regarding whether their application has been approved. Students should allow two business days upon receipt of the application for a determination.
No, a student who qualifies for the housing exemption to remain in the residence halls will not be charged for single housing if his/her roommate leaves. However, students who remain may be asked to move to a specific area of each residence hall for the remainder of the semester.
Yes, University apartment residents are allowed to remain in their apartments and are advised to follow the CDC guidelines for preventing illness.
Yes, residence hall residents will need to remove all personal belongings from their rooms by March 22, 2020. Rent will be prorated upon the resident’s official check-out, so the sooner the resident removes his/her belongings and completes the checkout process, the greater the refund credited to the resident’s student account.
There is not a storage facility on campus currently available to our students. Below is a list of storage facilities in the nearby area. Please note that these storage facilities are not being endorsed by Andrews University:
Yes, students may return to campus to collect their belongings from the residence halls after their spring break travels. Email your residence hall dean on duty regarding your estimated time of return. Please note, the University maintains the right to restrict access to the campus based on the student’s travels to areas of concern as noted by the CDC and/or the health of the student.
Students should contact Campus Safety to make arrangements to leave their cars in the residence hall parking lots.
The University will postpone its spring graduation programs, originally scheduled for May 1–3. When the date is available, we will widely announce that new date and work to assure the right amount of lead time for individual plans and arrangements by our graduates and their families to join us here on campus as we celebrate the Andrews University Class of 2020.
The University’s switch to remote delivery of its courses will not jeopardize a student’s visa status. The expectation for in-person classes will be waived based on the pandemic situation.
International students should speak with International Student Services to determine additional protocol prior to returning to their home country.
A student may stay if his/her work is classified as an essential service, as determined by their supervisor and Human Resources. They must complete the “Permission to Remain in the Residence Hall'' application from the Student Life office if they intend to remain in the residence halls.
Based on the March 19, 2020, U.S. State Department Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for all international travel, we are working directly with any student missionaries who are U.S. citizens and are still at their assignments to return to their homes immediately.
University chaplains, counselors at the Counseling & Testing Center, and Student Life deans will continue to provide emotional care and support.
Dining Services will make a calculation and issue a pro-rated refund, credited to the student’s account, up to a certain amount. Click here for more information.
Yes, students may continue to use their meal plans if they once resided in the residence halls. Students will need to contact Dianne Wilson from Dining Services at dianne@andrews.edu and provide their name and ID#.
Book rentals will need to be shipped to the University Bookstore. The Bookstore will provide the return address when needed and the grace period will be extended to allow sufficient time to return the textbooks.
Campus events are also canceled in connection with the change to remote learning, including our International Food Fair, Passion Play and Gymnics Home Show originally scheduled for upcoming weeks.