Dear Campus Community,
First of all, please let me thank each of you for your perseverance through a challenging year. We are all encouraged as we move forward in the spring semester, thankful to have marked the completion of the fall semester and Interterm on campus. Your ongoing cooperation and support of our community guidelines for navigating the pandemic has made this possible. We are pleased to announce that this fall we expect to return to “business as usual.”
This year has brought many reasons to celebrate. Our shared creativity in classes, cooperation with cleaning protocols, and measured care for one another have meant that Taylor has been able to keep our campus truly open to students, with most of our classes meeting in person. Among many accomplishments, we have launched satellites into orbit; hosted a star-studded film festival; executed a community prescription takeback drive; worked toward greater understanding on political, cultural, and racial matters; and been awarded a Lilly grant to fund our health sciences initiatives—all in light of a historic tuition freeze holding steady for the 2021-2022 academic year that will make experiences like these all the more accessible to next year’s incoming class.
As I write this, the vaccine rollout is well-underway in Indiana, open to all over the age of 16 by the end of this month. COVID-19 numbers in the state, our county, and Taylor have all been trending downward and state restrictions will be eased in the coming weeks. The national basketball tournament in the Hoosier state is one result of these positive trends. On our campus we are able to invite prospective students and their families into dining areas and residence halls, more fully showing them what it means to be a part of Taylor. Chapel seating capacity is growing, too, and it has been a joy to watch students’ energetic celebrations being together.
Because of realities like these and the abundantly positive trajectory they demonstrate, we are well-positioned to announce “business as usual.” Returning students can look forward to a continuation of our commitment to in-person education, and are slated to begin registration for classes on April 5. We are delighted that at this point, we are planning on returning to our normal academic schedule—complete with a full spring break.
We are also thankful for what Taylor’s strong COVID-19 response means for the incoming class of 2025. Besides being able to more fully experience the campus we love (and get student IDs and class schedules on New Student Visit days), Welcome Weekend is officially on their calendars, and they have the bright prospect of an on-campus freshman year in front of them—one they will share with President-elect Dr. D. Michael Lindsay and his family.
We will continue our willing compliance to state and local COVID-19 guidelines as we plan for the 2021-2022 academic year, but we look forward with anticipation. Taylor family, you have my sincere gratitude for making all of this possible. God has been at work in and through you this year, and it has not gone unnoticed. I prayerfully look forward to business as usual alongside you this fall.
With Gratitude and Anticipation,
Michael D. Hammond, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President