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Whitworth University Announces Intentions for 2021 Fall Term

February 19, 2021

Whitworth University announced today its intention to resume normal operations for the 2021 Fall Term, including unrestricted occupancy in campus residence halls and a full array of in-person classes and co-curricular experiences. These are important and valuable aspects of a Whitworth education of mind and heart. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Whitworth has employed effective safety protocols to identify, track and mitigate the virus on campus and among our off-campus students. These measures have allowed us to host students and limited activities on campus and maintain a largely in-person and hybrid instructional strategy, called WhitworthFLEX. 

During the fall semester, Whitworth averaged 9.76 positive cases per week among a population of nearly 4,000 students and employees. Weekly surveillance tests resulted in a 0.43 percent positivity rate, revealing very low community spread among the university community. 

Whitworth’s approach for the remaining duration of the pandemic, including for May Term and summer classes, will be to adhere to the health and safety guidelines offered by local, state and national authorities. The university will keep the community informed of any changes to health protocols as they occur. 

As vaccine distribution efforts expand this spring, Whitworth will offer information and, if possible, clinics to our students and employees, subject to guidelines and availability. In the meantime, Whitworth’s COVID Response Team will continue efforts to mitigate and manage COVID-19 cases on campus. 

Whitworth will continue to follow strict public health protocols on campus, including required face coverings, physical distancing, daily health attestations, enhanced cleaning, regular testing and contact tracing. For more information and updates please visit our WhitworthFLEX/COVID-19 webpage.

About Whitworth University:

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of more than 3,000 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Trisha Coder, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu