On Oct. 8, the 2020-21 academic calendar was updated to reflect a delayed start date for the spring semester. Undergraduate classes will begin on Monday, Feb. 1, two weeks later than the original Jan. 19 start date.

Students will still have the option to attend classes in person or online, as was the case this semester. Those coming from New York-designated states or countries will still be required to quarantine for 14 days prior to their arrival on campus. In a change from the fall 2020 semester, however, residential students who quarantine off-campus from Feb. 1 to Feb. 14 will receive pro-rated room and board charges.

In addition, the 2021 spring break will be canceled, and Easter recess will be shortened. There will be no class on Friday, April 2, whereas the break normally extends from the Thursday to Monday surrounding Easter weekend.

The only other two holidays to be observed with class cancellations will be Presidents Day on Feb. 15 and a “mid-semester break day” on March 10.

The decision was first shared in an Oct. 7 meeting with the faculty and the Office of the Provost. 

In an email to the Fordham community at approximately 6 p.m. today, Dennis Jacobs, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, said, “I hope that the following information will be helpful in your planning for the upcoming semester.” 

The decision is in line with other schools to modify their spring 2021 calendars and cancel their spring recess such as Yale University, Syracuse University and the University of Michigan. According to Jacobs, Fordham made the decision in order to “reduce the risk of viral spread during the winter season.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.