Houston Baptist University is preparing to welcome students for in-person classes beginning Monday, August 24. The Fall 2020 semester will be held from August 24 through Friday, December 11. Beginning Monday, November 30, all classes will be held remotely, including final exams. This will not reduce or lengthen the semester; however, it will extend the period of physical distancing for several weeks prior to the Christmas break. The campus, including student housing and dining, will remain open between Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.
With the exception of classes that meet one day per week, classes will be offered in a hybrid model. Each class roster will be divided into two groups of students (Group A and Group B) for Monday-Wednesday-Friday (MWF) courses and Tuesday-Thursday (TR) courses. For the first day of a MWF class or TR class, Group A will attend class in person on campus; the lecture will be recorded and posted within hours for viewing by Group B. On the second day of a MWF or TR class, Group B will attend class in person on campus and Group A will watch the recorded lecture. For Friday classes, only remote instruction will be held.
HBU Hybrid Model
HBU’s approach to a healthy environment on campus encompasses:
- Density – reduce the number of people in a space
- Defend – protect against contamination with strategies including the use of masks or face shields and frequent handwashing
- Disinfect – proactively sanitize surfaces and circulated air
Additionally, CIMR (Continuous Infectious Microbial Reduction) will be installed in the HVAC systems of many of the University’s dining and common spaces including the MD Anderson Student Center, the Baugh dining and kitchen facilities, the Library Looper Learning Commons, and Cullen Science Building, including laboratories. Also, almost every classroom has been equipped with plug-in CIMR devices, ensuring extra protection for the in-person portion of HBU’s hybrid instruction model.
Learn more about HBU’s plans for the fall at HC.edu/HuskyStrong.
The faculty, staff and leadership of HBU look forward to welcoming new and returning students in person this fall. We invite potential students to contact Admissions@HC.edu or 281-649-3211.