March 18, 2021
Dear Pitt Faculty and Students,
As we look forward to the fall term, I want to share with you some important information about our progress and academic planning.
First and foremost, I cannot wait to welcome faculty and students to the 2021-2022 academic year—in person.
One of the silver linings of this very hard year has certainly been that Pitt innovated quickly to ensure that we could teach and learn in creative ways. Flex @ Pitt has served us well and some of our new pedagogical approaches will, I believe, be useful well into the future. Yet, at the same time, this time has also underscored the deep and enduring importance of campus life. Being able to be physically present to teach, learn, conduct research and work enhances our mission and enables stronger relationships of understanding and trust between and among students and mentors.
As Chancellor Gallagher said, we are already working to maximize on-campus opportunities and experiences both inside and outside the classroom. That said, one clear lesson the pandemic has taught us is to always be prepared to pivot. Please be assured we will have plans in place should it be necessary to adjust our course in the fall based on national or local health guidance. Similarly, understanding that there could be instances in which an individual may be unable to return to in-person campus activities, we will have guidelines and processes in place to review those types of circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
As you think about fall and the new academic year, the approved 2021-2022 calendar may be helpful to you. As you will see, the first day of fall classes is August 27. This allows for reinstatement of a one-day fall break on October 15. Also, we will retain the week-long Thanksgiving holiday to facilitate student travel before the final three-week stretch of the semester.
In the weeks ahead, we will further build out our plans and I will provide additional details as that work unfolds. Fall registration is just around the corner. Please begin to plan accordingly.
Once again, thank you for all that you have done and continue to do in a year that has been uncertain but also inspiring, given your endurance and ongoing achievements despite significant challenges.
I sincerely hope that fall will bring brighter days—across all our campuses—and it will be wonderful to experience that with you.
Hail to Pitt!
Ann E. Cudd
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor