Dear GSAPP Students,

As we enter the final month of the Spring semester, I’m writing to share the latest information regarding the School’s intended format of instruction for the Summer and Fall 2021 semesters.

During the past months, GSAPP has embraced and continually refined a hybrid model for teaching and learning, blending in-person classroom and studio-based teaching alongside remote instruction to enable our highest academic aspirations while providing the safest possible environment. You have shown tremendous adaptability during this period, using alternative technologies and developing new ways of working that have shaped our School culture and that I’m certain will remain invaluable skills as we look ahead to a time after COVID-19.

We are planning to continue our current hybrid model in the Summer semester, following Columbia University and New York State health and safety guidelines relating to academic instruction, and holding the flexibility to adapt and increase the in-person components as those guidelines change.

As outlined in President Lee Bollinger’s letter of March 17, the University expects to have the capacity and supply to vaccinate all Columbia affiliates by the fall, and has the goal to resume in-person academic activities across its campuses in September: “We are dedicated to coming as close to this reality as is safely possible, recognizing that events beyond our control may intervene and that we will need to have an adequate and sympathetic accommodation process in place for faculty, staff, and students, especially our international students who may not be able to return to campus.” University and public health guidelines permitting, we very much hope to be able to welcome you all back to Avery in the fall.

Links to helpful resources are below, and I look forward to keeping you informed of further updates throughout the coming months. Thank you again for your patience, perseverance, and dedication to not only your own educations but those of your community as we have weathered this extraordinary time.

Sincerely,
Amale Andraos
Dean