Pre-Advent greetings, Luther community!
As we move into a new year according to the Christian calendar, I begin more intentional communication from the Academic Affairs Office. Today’s communication is particularly timely as we prepare for winter and spring classes.
As we continue to navigate COVID-19 realities, we also maintain our commitments to providing robust in-person and online learning experiences with flexibility for the diverse needs (think “safety”) of students, staff, and faculty. With these commitments in mind, the Academic Dean in consultation with the Academic Leadership Committee has made the following decisions regarding the remainder of this academic year:
1. For all students graduating in May 2022, residential requirements will be waived.
2. All synchronous courses (in-person or online) in the upcoming winter, spring, and summer terms will count as residential courses. (United Methodist requirements are approved through spring.)
3. All required courses will be offered in two modalities, in-person and online. (For example, the worship course will be offered online in winter and as an RFS with a synchronous intensive in the spring.)
4. Please be attentive to the modality of the offered course as you register. At this time, students may have to shift registration to a different term for a course in the required modality if the online course is scheduled for another term than the in-person course. Faculty members are developing Hybrid courses, but not all courses are available in the hybrid option for the 2021-22 academic year.
I hope this information is helpful as you plan for the upcoming terms. As more courses are added in additional modalities, we will communicate this information.
With the gratitude of the season for the incredible flexibility and creativity of the faculty and staff as well as the commitment of the students, I remain thankful to serve you at this time of transition.
Grace and Peace,
Dr. Joy
Academic Dean