We address our campus communities with enthusiasm and excitement about the start of the fall semester. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ and Norfolk 91¶ÌÊÓƵ 91¶ÌÊÓƵ have worked on our respective plans, and it is our collective desire to do what is in the best interest of our students, our employees and the #757 communities we serve.
After examining local COVID-19 trends, consulting with public and health officials and participating in countless conversations with other Virginia higher education institutions, we are announcing our joint decision to continue with our respective fall opening plans. NSU will start classes on Aug. 26 with remote and online learning for the first two weeks of the semester and then a combination of hybrid, face-to-face, synchronous and online course offerings beginning Sept. 7. ODU will start classes on Aug. 29 with flexible learning options on-campus, online and a hybrid combination.
While this pandemic has challenged all of us, we feel this decision is the right one for ODU, NSU and the Hampton Roads community. We will continue to work with city officials to strongly encourage students and employees to adhere to Virginia's COVID-19 guidelines, both on campus and in adjacent communities.
The resilient spirit of our Spartan and Monarch communities is shining brightly — innovating how we teach, research, learn and live and allowing for a return to campus life this fall. We remain committed to advancing educational equity and stand ready to support students' learning, research, career aspirations and personal well-being, on and off campus as well as virtually.
We look forward to welcoming you back soon. In the meantime, please stay safe.
Sincerely,
John R. Broderick, President, Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ
Javaune Adams-Gaston, President, Norfolk 91¶ÌÊÓƵ 91¶ÌÊÓƵ