Warren Wilson announces intent to reopen campus for fall semester

SWANNANOA - Warren Wilson College president Lynn Morton announced in a letter to students that the private institution plans to reopen for its fall semester.

Future plans for an updated fall calendar and more information about health and safety with regards to in-person classes and residence halls will be released in the coming weeks, the letter says.

The college previously canceled all on-campus events up to Aug. 24 when it planned to hold its orientation. There have been no announced plans to update the event.

"Our community’s health and safety is our highest priority," Morton said in the letter. "We plan to be flexible and prepared to adjust our plans as necessary as this pandemic evolves."

Morton added that the college has the benefit of a smaller faculty-to-student ratio in making adjustments.

The college held a virtual commencement for its graduating students on May 9. It invited all graduates to return to a probable in-person graduation ceremony in May 2021.

Complementing the cancellation of on-campus events, the college announced a no-credit, credit system in the placement of letter grades. All grades from a D-minus and above would give credit for a course without influencing the student's GPA.