Welcome to the Next 50 Days

 4 MIN. READ

Greetings,

As we continue to pray for this campus community, I hope you and your families are well. This pandemic has brought new challenges and painful disruptions into our lives, and our campus has had to face the realities of the COVID-19 virus head on.  

We believe that a residential learning experience is once in a lifetime, which is why we have decidedly specialized in offering it for over 100 years. The changes that the pandemic has brought to us have required each of us to dig deep inside ourselves to find new and creative ways to connect, learn, and serve.

Good news!

Despite the impact that the pandemic has had on the physical and mental health of people globally, I am continually surprised by this community’s kindness, creativity, and perseverance. It is because of this that we are beginning a strategic pivot within campus life. Health experts are projecting that as the fall semester begins, every American who wants to be vaccinated will have the opportunity to do so. Students, faculty, and staff are already getting the vaccine as they become eligible, our quarantine numbers are very low, and the opportunity to reach the freedoms and benefits of herd immunity is in sight. In fact, I got my second vaccination yesterday, after having COVID in November, and believe many/most of us will be immunized by August.

What does all this mean? 

The leadership team at Anderson University is preparing to restore our in-person campus experience by the fall semester. We will start making incremental steps over the course of the next 50 days, toward a vibrant fall experience and event calendar. In doing so, please bear with us and remember that the pandemic is not over, and the health and safety of you and everyone else on the campus is the top priority. We will move forward knowing that we can pivot back toward safer protocols if the community needs them. 

The Next 50 Days

We are building out a student events calendar and working through which events and experiences we can bring back immediately for the student body. We have now linked the improved student calendar in the Student App under “Events,” where more events will continue to populate over the next 50 days. Here is what you can expect:

  • You may attend any outdoor home events. Enjoy the excitement of seeing live sports again and cheer on our Raven athletes.
  • Popular events are in the works: Encore, AU Ninja Warrior, CLUE, Open Mic Night, and an Easter Egg Hunt are already approved. 
  • Spring intramurals begin March 29. Sports offered are basketball, flag football, ultimate Frisbee, and badminton. Sign-ups are due March 25!  
  • 10:07 worship has returned so that you can have access to a weekly worship service.
  • Take advantage of our health and recreation facilities to de-stress, including the weight room, cardio room, upstairs track, and swimming pool. 
  • Watch the calendar, because starting next week you can take advantage of free yoga sessions on campus every week to focus on your wellbeing. These sessions will be offered thanks to the generosity of a donor. 

We have a few additional activities in the works, so we’ll announce those as they are finalized. I’m grateful that we have been able to achieve low quarantine and isolation numbers these past few weeks. This campus community has shined with many selfless acts in what has been a hard time for many. You have demonstrated that we are #StillAU.

More news about what to expect this fall will be shared in the coming week. Please continue to follow our safety protocols and don’t forget to upload your vaccine documentation if and when you choose to get the vaccine.

Sincerely,

President Pistole

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.