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President Johnson Shares Exciting News about the Fall 2020 Semester

May 22, 2020

On this episode of Finlandia Fridays, Finlandia University President, Philip Johnson joins host, Anastazia Hartman to share the exciting news about classes this fall (2020). The pair talks about the plan for the safe open, the new health center, and more!

“I know the entire campus, which is now virtual, is very excited, we think this is exactly what we need to be doing for fall 2020. This is exactly what parents, families, and students expect. We are very motivated to do our planning well to welcome back and to welcome for the first time our new students.”

President Johnson filled Hartman in on what last week’s announcement said. “As the announcement made last week indicated, we are planning carefully, we have a set of task force groups that are in play,” said Johnson. “Basically we are trying to make sure that we have the wellness protocols in place and also that we are able to conduct our lives together in ways that allow lower density configurations on campus whether it is in the classroom or our gym or cafeteria to demonstrate those social distancing behaviors.  Also, simply to ensure we are on a campus that is adequately, and competently practicing those measures of hygiene and cleanliness and all the things that keep us well and safe.”

The announcement also announced the new on-campus student health center that will be housed on the main campus. The center will be staffed with a full-time nurse practitioner and will be free to students. “We have been talking about this for many years, we think it is such an important expression to accompany the whole student.

The excitement and commitment to that service is very high, we are working with our own healthcare professionals and partnering with UP Health System Portage and perhaps other health care entities in the community to make sure we can provide around the clock, full-time service that is staffed with a nurse practitioner. I am especially encouraged we can use our own folks to plan for this and when necessary to partner with other professions who might be on the campus. This is something that is helpful and needed for the coming year. Our plan is to make this something that is ongoing this isn’t simply for the academic year 2020-21, this is something we want to see through going forward.”

At the end of the episode, President Johnson shared with Hartman his favorite highlights of this academic year and shared his words for those who are currently helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about the Fall 2020 plans for face-to-face classes click here.

 

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