Coronavirus Update - Fall 2020 Semester Will Continue Online

Since March of 2020, when the World Health Organization deemed the new coronavirus a pandemic, Wilmington University has ensured its community’s safety. A Response Planning Committee was formed to continually monitor official reports from the State of Delaware and the Centers for Disease Control and Protection and develop a pandemic preparation strategy. The University community’s well-being guided each decision, and student safety and success remained foremost in our minds.

The State of Delaware entered Phase Two of Economic Reopening on June 15, 2020, warning Delawareans that the spread of COVID-19 was still a formidable threat, and employees who had been working from home should continue doing so. Governor John Carney then delayed the state’s Phase Three Economic Reopening initially scheduled for June 29, 2020, citing the steady increase of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in other states that prompted CDC officials to predict a rise in cases this summer.

No one knows if COVID-19 will continue to spread at its current pace. The virus is still in its first phase, and there is growing concern that numbers will increase, or possibly result in a second wave. Due to these uncertainties and the need to keep our community safe, courses will remain online for the fall 2020 semester.

The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has not decided on fall sports competitions and expects to make an announcement in mid- to late July. The University will notify its student-athletes once that information is available.

Additionally, the University will postpone the commencement ceremony honoring its Spring Class of 2020 tentatively rescheduled to October 25, 2020. The safety of the more than 10,000 people who attend these ceremonies could be compromised. Wilmington University remains committed to recognizing these graduates and will communicate a new date when more information becomes available.

The University has ensured smooth operations, virtual coursework has benefitted students, and excellent student services have been maintained. With its advanced technologies, the University’s exceptional faculty, dedicated staff, and caring administration have provided the same high-touch, personalized education students deserve, and have always had.

For everyone’s protection, it is best to adhere to guidelines imposed by the State of Delaware and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.