Walla Walla University announced Sunday, Aug. 16, that it will continue university operations through a flexible model of delivering instruction that focuses on a reduced population density across its campuses through the end of the 2020 calendar year. The number of students living in university residence halls and taking in-person classes on WWU campuses during fall quarter will be limited.

This new model will offer more than 250 distance learning and dual-modality classes in addition to in-person classes. The decision will enable students, faculty, and staff to continue social-distancing practices during the current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to provide quality academic programming.

WWU carefully made the decision in consultation with the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health to best align the university’s operations with the purpose of protecting not only WWU students, staff, and faculty, but also members of the surrounding community throughout the Walla Walla Valley.

“We are confident that this decision provides our students with the quality academic programming they need to make progress toward their goals, while protecting our entire WWU community,” said WWU President John McVay. 

“Here at WWU our campus learning and living communities are deeply treasured, and we are fiercely proud of our engaging campus-life traditions and the lifelong relationships developed through them. In these unusual times we are determined to protect the well-being of our university family while positioning the university to safely resume the in-person, on-campus engagement we cherish so much, when conditions safely allow,” said McVay.

To learn more about the WWU response to the coronavirus, visit wallawalla.edu/coronavirus. For questions about fall quarter, please call WWU at (800) 541-8900.

Posted Aug. 16, 2020