Central College provided an update to the latest ongoing as it relates to the school and COVID-19. About 200 current and incoming students are taking a free, two-credit course titled An Interdisciplinary Conversation on COVID-19. It is the first course of its type in Central history and 20 faculty and staff members are leading the program. The Ron Schipper Fitness Center in the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex is now open to Central faculty, staff and students, as Central IDs will be required at all times for check in. Move-In Day for first-year students is Aug. 22. Returning students may move in Aug. 24. The academic semester will begin with classes Aug. 26 and conclude Dec. 10.

Central has also convened two task forces to help plan for the fall semester:

The COVID-19 Campus Protocol Task Force includes members from the fields of medicine and epidemiology, in addition to members of Central’s faculty and staff. This group is advising the college how to reopen and run the campus as safely as possible. It also is providing guidance on how we will continue to keep the Central family safe should anyone become ill. This task force is reviewing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and federal, state and local medical information.

The COVID-19 Athletics Protocol Task Force includes members from the fields of medicine, athletic training and sports medicine. This group is providing recommendations on best practices for dealing with the pandemic specific to athletics in consultation with the NCAA and the American Rivers Conference. Central has decided not to offer athletics camps this summer out of an abundance of caution.

Central is looking forward to welcoming alumni and friends of the college to Homecoming Sept. 25-26. This year, the event will include the dedication of the new History Garden and Peace Mall on Friday, Sept. 25. They will also honor the Class of 2020 on Sunday, Sept. 27, for its Commencement ceremony.