Dear Avila University Community,
It is my pleasure to announce that Avila University is preparing a return to campus this Fall. This will include – as much as is possible — in-person instruction, service, and events.
The University will continue to follow the health and safety guidelines provided by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, the State of Missouri Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Properly worn masks, social distancing, and other procedures will remain in place as we bring more of our community back to campus in the fall.
Over this past year, we’ve learned quite a bit about the commitment necessary to provide a safer learning environment for our students, faculty, and staff during a horrible pandemic. We’ve also learned that as a University we can accomplish our mission in ways we didn’t even think were possible back in March 2020. We’ve all become familiar with face coverings, physical distancing, hand washing, and how impactful educational experience can be via Zoom and Canvas.
Now, as vaccines are becoming more readily available, our focus is on bringing more student experiences back to campus for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022.
Our success this Fall depends on all of us right now. Our willingness as an Avila community to be vaccinated – faculty, staff, and students alike – will be paramount to our return-to-campus plans. As will the plateauing or lowering of COVID-19 positivity rates in Kansas City. Our continued efforts in wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, avoiding large crowds, washing our hands often, and getting vaccinated will make the difference. Based on the efforts of the Avila community this academic year, and the progress we’re seeing nationally towards vaccinating the population, we see a Fall semester that is safer and one that is significantly closer towards returning to what we would consider a pre-COVID normal on campus.
I want to thank you all for your commitment, dedication, determination, and grit during this unprecedented time. Eagle on! We are only able to plan for a return to campus in the fall because of you — our Avila students, faculty and staff.
Together, we are more.
Avila proud,
Ronald A. Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA
President