COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update – May 9, 2022

Update:

This is to provide an update to the plan for delivery of education through in-person residency classes at the University of Fairfax campus location in Virginia and its in-residence learning site in Kentucky. Although there is reason to be hopeful that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic may be behind us, the pandemic continues to pose significant risk to the public health and safety of the nation. Although the university would prefer to return to normality in its educational delivery, in the face of evolving and highly transmissible variants, and mindful of the President’s continuation of the declaration of the COVID-19 national emergency, the University of Fairfax must be cautious and adhere to personal and group strategies to minimize threats to its students, faculty, and staff arising from the COVID-19 virus.

In addition to the continuation of the national emergency declaration by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services renewed in April of 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through their Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has extended the guidance originally issued in March 2020 for the 2022-2023 academic year. This guidance enables schools and students to engage in distance learning in excess of regulatory limits due to the continuing public health concerns created by COVID-19.

Accordingly, for the new academic year beginning July 1, 2022, the intention of the University of Fairfax is to waive the requirement for in-person residency classes for F-1 international students and to continue to delay the resumption of all in-person residency classes except in those programs and courses where in-person learning is essential to the curriculum. Because no such programs or courses are offered at the Virginia campus location or the in-residence learning site in Kentucky, virtual delivery classes at all locations will continue. Although in person residency classes are not to resume in fall of 2023, the resources at our physical locations are available to students during normal operating hours.

It is anticipated that this strategy prioritizing the health, safety and well-being of the institution’s students, faculty, and staff will extend through the entire 2022-2023 academic year. Should circumstances dictate a change in strategy students will be advised prior to the resumption of in-person residency classes at any campus location.

For more information, see the Centers for Disease Control web site.

Frank Longaker
President
University of Fairfax