Plans announced for Fall 2021 campus operations

Concordia University, Nebraska is planning a return to pre-pandemic campus operations for the Fall 2021 semester. 

“Our Concordia community thrives when we’re able to be together in person, to have conversations face-to-face and experience the human connection,” Rev. Russ Sommerfeld, interim president, said in an announcement to students and families. “Our decision to return to pre-pandemic campus operations is based on the latest health projections and insights on vaccination rates, virus transmission and COVID-19 testing capacity shared by the state and local health officials.” 

With the return to pre-pandemic operations, face coverings will no longer be required on campus, room and athletic facility capacities will return to 100%, the campus will be open to the public and events will be hosted as they were before the pandemic. The university will continue expanded cleaning protocols across campus, especially in shared areas and will continue taking necessary steps to keep students, faculty, staff and guests as healthy as possible. 

“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to our students, parents, faculty, staff and the community as they are available,” said Sommerfeld. 

Concordia’s Fall 2021 semester begins Monday, Aug. 23 and will end Thursday, Dec. 16. Athletes will move into on-campus housing Aug. 9, with new students moving in on Aug. 20 and returning students moving in Aug. 21-22. The semester includes a two-day Fall Break spanning Friday, Oct. 15 through Monday, Oct. 18, and Thanksgiving recess will be Saturday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 28.