Faculty to decide course delivery methods for Spring 2021

Elmhurst University faculty will be choosing how they decide to deliver instruction for the Spring 2021 term.

Similar to this fall semester, professors will be listing their classes on BlueNet as either in-person, hybrid, online asynchronous or synchronous. Students will be able to view the offerings when they register for classes starting Nov. 3. 

Dean Pribbenow, vice president of academic affairs, believes these five instructional methods are the best, given the nature of the pandemic. 

“Given the continued uncertain nature of the pandemic,” said Pribbenow. “We believe it is in the best interest of our students and faculty to continue with this plan.” 

Students think continuing instruction through the five different delivery methods is the best option for the time being given the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

“I think it makes sense to offer classes in the same format because we don’t know what next year is going to look like and it’s better to be safe than sorry,” said Briana Janczy, a senior digital marketing communications major. 

However, some students feel it is unfair to expect students to continue online instruction and pay full tuition.

“It’s very inconsiderate for tuition to be the same price for classes to be online,” said Mariana Guerra, a junior business administrator major. “I personally am not fond of online classes as I feel course load has doubled, [but] I do feel a lot safer.”

Pribbenow also notes if there is a “dramatic improvement,” surrounding the pandemic, EU would consider updating the course delivery methods before the spring semester begins.