KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Kalamazoo College is moving all Fall 2020 classes online and closing residence halls based on current COVID-19 trends locally and nationally.
The decision was made because case numbers remain persistently high across much of the U.S. and several regions in Michigan remain at either high- or medium-high risk, officials said Thursday.
“I know this is a deeply disappointing decision for everyone, especially for those of you looking forward to your first on-campus experience,” President Jorge Gonzalez said. “While faculty and staff across the college are prepared for a return to campus next month, external factors have led us to this difficult decision.”
Students at Kalamazoo College come from across the U.S. and world, and the campus in not insulated, making the risk of COVID-19 transmission high.
The college plans to share more information in the coming weeks, including about virtual orientation, resources, reimbursement of fall term student activity fees, return to campus for staff and more.
“As painful as this decision was to make, I know that it will provide a safer and more certain start to the academic year,” Gonzalez said. “I am profoundly grateful to everyone in our community for their patience as we’ve worked through each unknown and planned for multiple contingencies. I can’t express how much we all miss having our students on campus, and we look forward to having everyone together later this academic year.”