FRANKLIN — The president of Franklin College says the Johnson County school's goal is to have students in class for the fall semester.
On Friday, Kerry Prather outlined plans for Franklin, as college administrators across the state and country wrestle with similar decisions after closing their campuses in March over COVID-19 restrictions and concerns.
Prather made it clear that the college’s highest priority is the safety of the campus community and plans will include utilizing every precaution necessary to ensure it. The next three months, he said, will be spent refining plans to be ready for all possible contingencies and scenarios which might evolve between now and late-August.
“Decisions will ultimately be guided by our local health care professionals, particularly our partners at Johnson Memorial Health, with whom we have established an on-demand testing protocol,” said Prather.
“The resourceful creativity our students, faculty and staff has been inspiring during the COVID-19 crisis,” Prather said. “They have demonstrated the strength and character of the college with successful teaching and learning experiences under challenging circumstances. That said, we are looking forward to returning to the engaged, one-on-one interaction that distinguishes the Franklin College experience, and I know our students are looking forward to being back home on their campus.”
Classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, Aug. 31. Franklin has already decided to hold its Class of 2020 commencement in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend in October.
