Back to school

Universities, colleges take hybrid approach to learning

Published September 28, 2020 by Kate Andrews

This fall, universities and colleges in Hampton Roads took baby steps forward as they reopened for the fall semester after shutting down in March during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Old Dominion University welcomed students back in late August with a combination of in-person and remote classes. Fall sports are canceled, and the university has established COVID-19 screening, mandatory masking and physical distancing policies as part of its reopening protocol. Norfolk State University also is taking a hybrid approach this fall, with a combination of in-person and remote classes.

William & Mary is offering a condensed fall semester, with classes ending before Thanksgiving and the university planning to hold only remote classes during the first two weeks, switching to some in-person classes after Labor Day. W&M also will conduct prevalence testing among students and employees every two weeks, in addition to testing anyone who feels sick or may have been exposed to the virus.

Christopher Newport University is offering about 70% of its classes in person, according to an announcement in late August, although large classes have been moved online or into larger spaces. Masks are required, and the school has prohibited gatherings of more than 20 people. 

Hampton University, unlike the other schools, will offer only remote instruction during the fall semester, a precautionary measure announced by President William R. Harvey in July. Classes started Aug. 10 and will conclude Nov. 20, and the university has reduced tuition and comprehensive fees for the shorter, remote-instruction semester.

Regent University, Virginia Wesleyan University and Eastern Virginia Medical School are all offering hybrid remote and in-person instruction this semester, as are the region’s community colleges, although most of the colleges’ in-person classes are limited to courses reliant on hands-on instruction.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia reviewed and approved all higher education institutions’ plans for reopening this fall.

Four-year colleges and universities

Christopher Newport University

Newport News

cnu.edu

• More than 90 areas of study
• President: Paul S. Trible Jr.
• In-state tuition and fees, plus room-and-board: $27,044
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
• Enrollment: 4,919

Eastern Virginia Medical School

Norfolk

evms.edu

• 21 graduate and doctoral degrees and a range of certificate programs
• President and provost: Dr. Richard V. Homan
• In-state tuition and fees: $40,041 (for first-year students)
• Enrollment: 1,359

Hampton University

Hampton

hamptonu.edu

• 98 bachelors, masters, doctoral and other degree programs
• President: William R. Harvey
• Tuition and fees, plus room-and-board: $42,148
• Enrollment: 4,293

Norfolk State University

Norfolk

nsu.edu

• Seven academic colleges and schools
• President: Javaune Adams-Gaston
• In-state tuition and fees, plus room-and-board: $20,466
• Enrollment: 5,601

Old Dominion University

Norfolk

odu.edu

• 91 bachelor’s degree programs, 41 master’s and 22 doctoral programs
• President: John R. Broderick*
• In-state tuition and fees,
  plus room-and-board: $22,908
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
• Enrollment: 24,176

*ODU President John R. Broderick plans to retire in summer 2021.

Regent University

Virginia Beach

regent.edu

• Eight fields of study, undergraduate through doctoral level
• Founder, chancellor and CEO: M.G. “Pat” Robertson
• Tuition and fees, plus room-and-board: $25,940
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1
• Enrollment: 10,425

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Beach
vwu.edu

• 39 majors, 15 pre-professional tracks
• President: Scott D. Miller
• Tuition and fees, plus room-and-board: $45,927-$46,343
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
• Enrollment: 1,500

William & Mary

Williamsburg

wm.edu

• 80+ undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs
• President: Katherine A. Rowe
• In-state tuition and fees, plus room-and-board: $36,984
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
• Enrollment: 8,773

Community colleges

Paul D. Camp

Franklin and Suffolk

pdc.edu

• 62 academic programs in seven areas of study
• President: Daniel W. Lufkin
• In-state tuition and fees: $154 per credit hour
• Enrollment: 1,257

Thomas Nelson

Hampton

tncc.edu

• More than 100 programs of study
• President: Gregory T. DeCinque
• In-state tuition and fees: $156 per credit hour
• Enrollment: 7,314

Tidewater

Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach

tcc.edu

• Nine career pathways
• President: Marcia Conston
• In-state tuition and fees: $156 per credit hour
• Enrollment: 19,064

Sources: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, colleges and universities.  Note: Enrollment data are for 2019-2020 academic year. 

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