Spring semester classes at VCU will begin on Jan. 25 and will conclude on May 5, followed by final exams, which will be conducted remotely. (Allen Jones, University Marketing)

VCU will reopen in phases following winter break; spring classes to begin Jan. 25

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Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao, Ph.D., announced the calendar for the university’s spring 2021 semester on Thursday.

Following winter break, the university will begin a phased reopening of its Monroe Park and MCV campuses in early January beginning with the health sciences schools and college research faculty, staff and trainees, Rao said. Classes will begin on Jan. 25 and will conclude on May 5 on the Monroe Park Campus and May 7 on the MCV Campus, followed by final exams.

In order to mitigate risk of COVID-19 infection, there will be no spring break. However, there will be two reading days — one near the end of February and the other near the end of March.

“Based on the remarkable efforts of our students, faculty and staff this fall semester, as well as ongoing assessment by VCU’s Public Health Response Team and current pandemic guidance from the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we will proceed with a spring semester very similar to what was offered this fall,” Rao said.

VCU will offer classes in a variety of formats — in-person, online and a mixture of both — to accommodate student and faculty needs.

“Our highest priority in executing our mission is the safety of our students, faculty, staff and surrounding community,” Rao said. “Flexibility remains critical in addressing evolving situations presented by COVID-19, including changes in the prevalence of infection in our community, as well as changes in requirements, guidelines and best practices.”