June 29, 2020

Falcon Forward (June 2020): An Overview of Fall Opening

Dear Montevallo family,

We are looking forward to welcoming you back to campus in the coming months. With all of the uncertainty surrounding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to take this opportunity to update you on our plans for the fall semester.

The amount of dedication and resiliency shown by everyone at Montevallo over the past few months is inspiring and we have all navigated this unprecedented situation together. I would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to help the University manage these trying times and develop a plan to continue to deliver a world-class education while ensuring the health and safety of everyone on campus.

UM administration has formed the Roadmap to Fall Opening Task Force. This very capable group developed the Falcon Forward plan to guide the University as it prepares for the upcoming semester. The Task Force used guidelines provided by the American College Health Association couched in a framework developed by Johns Hopkins University to establish a plan for critical areas. In addition, the task force developed a communication plan with educational and training resources for the campus community in order to prepare all constituents for fall opening. We drew from federal, state, local and professional resources to develop this plan.

I would like to thank Dr. Tammi Dahle, Dean of Students and Vice President of Enrollment and Student Affairs, for her thoughtful leadership and industry as chair of the task force and for leading the development of the Falcon Forward plan.

The University of Montevallo has long held a reputation as one of the safest college campuses in Alabama. The health and safety of everyone on campus is paramount and UM is planning to enhance cleaning efforts, utilize personal protective equipment and potentially modify traditional classroom settings, among other steps. These measures are detailed in this document, which serves as an overview of a larger plan and outlines Montevallo’s commitment to safety as it prepares for the fall.

Dr. John W. Stewart III

To read the Falcon Forward plan, click here.