QU Welcomes Students to Campus
The Quincy University campus came alive on Friday, August 7, as first-year students began to arrive for their Move-In Weekend and Orientation. Students and their families were required to wear masks and checked in at scheduled times over the course of several days to allow for social distancing.
“In these challenging times, I am grateful for the ways in which our students, faculty and staff are working together,” said Brian McGee, Ph.D., president. “While there are many new safety measures in place, we will continue to provide an exceptional Catholic and Franciscan education to the women and men of this great institution. I am excited that students are back on campus and that our wonderful work of teaching and learning has begun for a new academic year.”
QU Move-In Weekend is specifically designed for new students to become better acclimated to campus life. Through a series of virtual events, students learned about residential life, staying healthy on campus, resources for success in the classroom and services available on campus.
This fall will mark Quincy University’s first full year of its Success by Design initiative that provides each student with an individualized success plan along with a series of university-wide programs to help students graduate on time and be fully prepared for careers or further education. In addition, the university is initiating a January term that will allow students an opportunity to take a course that didn’t fit into their schedule or to get ahead or stay on track for graduation. This fall will also be the first semester new students will be assigned to a house system that is designed to transform the student experience at the university, with each QU student becoming part of a close-knit house community.
Students will experience significant changes to classrooms and public spaces to allow for social distancing. The cafeteria will serve grab and go meals only, masks are required in all buildings and to be worn outside if social distancing is not possible and additional shuttles between Main and North Campus will be added to keep students physically distanced.
Along with changes to make the campus safe, students will be welcomed with a variety of facility enhancements completed over the summer break. This includes renovations to the athletic weight room, enhancements to the J. Kenneth Nesbit Student Success Center, upgrades to the exterior and interior of Heline and Garner halls and classroom technology and aesthetic upgrades. In addition, a new math lab and science research lab were added to the North Campus as part of the U.S. Department of Education Title III Grant – A Strengthening Institutions grant focusing on expanding student access to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Returning students check-in will be spaced over the course of six days, August 11-16, to allow for social distancing. Classes start at 8:00 am on Monday, August 17. Official enrollment numbers will be released following the add/drop period on Tuesday, August 25.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University (www.quincy.edu) is celebrating 160 years as a Catholic, co-educational, liberal arts, residential university. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs that integrate liberal arts, active learning, practical experience, and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with each student to design a customized success plan to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. Quincy University’s intercollegiate sports are members of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference for men and women. For more information, please contact the Quincy University Office of Community Relations by calling (217) 228-5275. Quincy University. Success by Design.