| September 18, 2020
Dear Horned Frogs and Horned Frog Families,
We are so pleased to have our Horned Frogs with us at Texas Christian University for the Fall 2020 semester. Whether in person or online – we are proud of our community for their spirit, resilience and the way they have handled every obstacle presented by the pandemic.
Today I write to share the details of TCU’s modified spring semester calendar. While spring seems far away, we are committed to giving our students and families time to plan, and our faculty and staff time to develop a rich academic and student experience.
Once again, we will offer both online-only and in-person/dual learning options. Course learning options will be designated in the online course catalog before students register for courses. Importantly, we will extend the COVID-19 tuition assistance for Spring 2021 classes under the same guidance as we have for this fall. Additional need-based financial aid for students and families experiencing continued financial hardship due to COVID-19 will continue in the spring.
Despite the many unknowns of the spring, we are committed to continuing our TCU Connected Campus experience that prioritizes the safety and health of our community coupled with outstanding academics. We continue to follow health experts’ guidance on methods to reduce the spread of COVID-19 so that we can fully complete the spring semester on campus. We are prepared to be flexible and continue innovating to ensure academic goals are achieved.
The Spring 2021 semester will begin on Jan. 19 (Tuesday), include three days for an On-Campus Spring Refresh in March and a holiday for Good Friday, and conclude on May 7 (Friday).
We recognize the importance of breaks, especially in these challenging times. While this modified calendar eliminates traditional Spring Break to reduce travel and the potential for spreading COVID-19 and the flu, we remain focused on the benefits of pausing to refresh while keeping our Horned Frog family as safe and healthy as possible. Student Affairs is planning several on-campus or nearby options for safe, in-person activities during the three day On-Campus Spring Refresh.
We are also announcing an online-only Winter Intersession November 30 – December 18, 2020, for undergraduate students who choose to focus on academic progression. Classes will be held online every weekday.
Spring 2021 Academic Calendar
Nov. 30 – Dec. 18, 2020 – Winter Intersession (Daily Weekdays)
January 19, 2021 – First class day (Tue.)
March 9-11, 2021 – On-Campus Spring Refresh (Tue.-Thu., no classes)
April 2, 2021 – Good Friday holiday (Fri., no classes)
April 30, 2021 – Last class day (Fri.)
May 3–7, 2021 – Final exams (Mon.-Fri.)
Read more about the Spring 2021 calendar.
As for fall, we are pleased to see strong participation in virtual and small group student activities, and encourage you to join if you have not. Peruse Student Affairs’ What2Do@tcu; join our Student Affairs Instagram page; and join the TCU Parent and Family Programs Facebook group to stay up to date on ways to engage and participate. The TCU Counseling Center also fosters peer support communities to expand social support and increase connections, among other resources for students.
At TCU, we are fortunate to be surrounded by talent, passion and spirit. I leave you with a message from the TCU Concert Chorale performing This Little Light of Mine as part of TCU’s Virtual Convocation ceremony hosted this week.
Thank you for keeping the fabric of this community strong, and for your support of Texas Christian University. |
