UE Delays Fall 2020 Semester to Begin August 26

Evansville, IN (07/31/2020) — Earlier this summer, the University of Evansville made the decision to begin the Fall 2020 semester on August 17, nine days earlier than originally planned. Moving up the start date was intended to accommodate for a shortened semester that would promote the health and safety of the community. As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise not only in Southwestern Indiana but also throughout the State of Indiana, UE has made the decision to delay the start of the Fall 2020 semester to August 26. Classes will now begin as originally scheduled by the University.

UE is working diligently to safely reopen the campus. When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, the University established a health care taskforce comprised of employees, faculty, health professionals and students. While the main goal is to provide an in-person college experience, returning to campus as safely as possible remains the top priority.

"While we are doing everything we can to protect our community, we also ask our students to do their part so we can minimize the spread," said Dr. Payal Patel-Dovlatabadi, associate professor of public health. "Masks and social distancing have been proven to help, and that is why these two measures will be so important on our campus this fall."

The last day of academic instruction for the semester will be Wednesday, November 25. After Thanksgiving Break, students will not return to campus for the remainder of the semester. Final exams will be administered online, and the last day of the semester will be December 9.

The taskforce continues to monitor the situation at the local, state, and national level as the Fall 2020 semester approaches. Members of the taskforce are also hopeful the statewide mask mandate will impact and reduce the number of future cases during the coming weeks. For the complete community-wide message and further updates from the COVID-19 taskforce, please visit evansville.edu/coronavirus.