Out of an abundance of caution, and with concern for the health and safety of its students and employees, LDS Business College, which will become Ensign College on September 1, 2020, announces its plan to offer both on-campus and remote classes for the Fall 2020 Semester.
“We are looking forward to welcoming students back to campus this Fall,” President Bruce C. Kusch said. “As we begin our first semester as Ensign College, gathering on campus will be a blessing. We recognize that not everyone may feel comfortable returning to face-to-face classes, so the College has worked diligently to provide a variety of instructional options all focused on keeping our students and employees safe.”
Schools throughout the nation, including those in Utah and around the Salt Lake City area, are beginning to solidify plans for the Fall Semester. Each school has made its decision based on extensive research, which includes geographic location, student body make-up, housing, etc. LDS Business College is no exception as it seeks to provide a safe environment for students and employees as they begin their return to campus.
During the Winter and Spring 2020 Semesters, LDS Business College faculty and students have reported great success with remote instruction. The College is fully committed to helping students make positive progress towards their educational goals with either on-campus or remote instruction.
After careful consideration and extensive evaluation, the College will offer multiple methods of instruction for Fall Semester. Students may choose to register for fully remote courses or hybrid courses with rotating on-campus and remote student attendance. Students in hybrid courses will alternate days on campus with remote attendance to help minimize congestion on campus. Smaller class sizes will allow for appropriate social distancing in physical classrooms. It is estimated that a maximum of 20% of the student body will be on campus at any given time.
Hygiene protocol will be strictly maintained between classes, as per state and local government guidelines. Face masks and hand sanitizer will be made available to all students, staff and faculty at all times.
The College recognizes that there are travel and visa restrictions currently in place for many of our international students and would encourage them to work with their school advisors and enroll in remote sections of their desired courses. Doing so will allow them to be enrolled and take classes from their home country in the event they are unable to travel to the United States.
The College will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic on a day-to-day basis as it affects the state and nation. It will be prepared and willing to revert all on-campus classes to remote-only instruction should government guidelines change in response to a resurgence of the virus at any point during the semester.
Commonly Asked Questions
- Will it be safe to return to classes on campus in the Fall?
- The College will follow all guidelines provided by state and national governments, including the following recommendations:
- Increased cleaning and hygiene regimen (including between class sessions)
- Minimized face-to-face contact
- Six-foot distance among employees and students
- Flexible hours or staggered shifts
- Masks and sanitizers provided for employees and students
- Physical classroom sizes up to 25 students
- The College will follow all guidelines provided by state and national governments, including the following recommendations:
- How will on-campus classes work in the Fall?
- Classes on campus will be a hybrid of face-to-face and remote. Different class sections will be in the building at different times, on a rotational basis. Each section will have a maximum class size of 25 students. For example, one class section will be held on campus on Monday and meet remotely on Wednesday. Another class section may meet remotely on Monday and on campus on Wednesday. Sections will rotate to efficiently utilize on-campus space.
- Labs will be held on campus.
- As much as possible, lower levels of the building will be used for classes. Labs may continue to be used on higher levels. Classes may also be held at nearby off-campus sites. These adjustments will help to reduce student congestion in hallways, elevators and stairwells.
- In a further effort to help with congestion on campus, we will take advantage of unscheduled time on Fridays and evenings to hold classes. Classes will be held throughout the day and evening on a Monday-Friday schedule.
- Will remote sections of classes in the Fall be different from what I’m currently experiencing with Spring Semester classes?
- No. Classes provided in the Fall remotely will be taught with the same methods as they have been for the duration of the Spring 2020 Semester.
- I’m an international student who can’t return to the U.S. How can I still take classes in the Fall?
- You may choose to take all of your Fall 2020 Semester classes remotely. Be sure to register for sections of classes listed as “Zoom-classroom only.”
- Will all student services be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. like they used to be?
- Face-to-face hours will continue to be reduced. However, student services will be available by phone and through email from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A modified schedule of hours can be found at ensing.edu.
- Will tutoring and advising resources still be available?
- Yes. Please reach out to your advisor and check ensign.edu for tutoring information.
- Is tuition cheaper if I don’t come to campus?
- Tuition remains the same for students who choose to only take remote courses, a mix of on-campus and remote courses or only on-campus courses (labs).
- Will there be a weekly devotional I can attend?
- The College will continue to monitor guidelines from the state and national level. If guidelines change allowing for groups consistent with the size of our normal devotional attendance, the College will consider hosting devotionals publicly again. However, for the foreseeable future, devotionals will continue to be held virtually and streamed on the Church’s website each Tuesday of the semester at 11:15 a.m.
- Will there be any events on campus this Fall?
- Yes. Events that are able to follow state government guidelines regarding size and social distancing practices will continue to take place on campus this Fall.