has announced it will reopen for the Fall 2020 semester after shutting down in the Spring because of the

pandemic.

The school says the reopening will include full operations, including on-campus housing and dining, followed by face-to-face instruction beginning August 24, 2020. The reopening process will begin August 3.

“Today’s decision is out of alignment to meet the needs of our students, faculty and staff and also with our commitment to maintain the health, safety and wellbeing of our broader Radford family," said university spokeswoman Caitlyn Scaggs. "We know that there is still more planning to take place although much has been done. We’ll work diligently between now and the August 3rd date to ensure that we’re fully prepared and ready to welcome everyone back.”

Each vice president will develop a phased approach for the return of employees, based on divisional needs and priorities. That will require the return of some employees between the time Governor Northam’s temporary

is lifted and the campus reopening.

“We’re going to give everyone time to settle back to an on-campus work environment because everyone, with a rare exception, has been working online in a remote capacity thus far," Scaggs said.

Scaggs said a diverse group of people is working around the clock figuring out what returning to campus will look like, they just wanted to keep everyone informed along the way.

“We felt it really important that our students especially knew what to expect from us and how we were thinking," Scaggs said.

All Summer Session courses will remain online.

Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. said, “The health, safety, and well-being of you and your fellow Highlanders remain our top

priority. As a result, we are working diligently on contingency planning to account for continued developments based on analysis and research by public health experts."

He continued, "Additionally, we are examining policies and procedures regarding social distancing protocol; personal protective equipment, or PPE, utilization; testing availability; classroom configuration; event size; etc.”

Hemphill praised students, faculty and staff during the pandemic.

“Your stories of overcoming barriers and obstacles have inspired me and your fellow Highlanders," he said. "I look forward to welcoming each and every one of you back to campus with all locations completely open and all services fully available for the Fall 2020 semester. We will overcome this unprecedented challenge together as one Radford family!”