A handful of Colleges and universities are inviting prospective students back for campus tours with safeguards such as limited building access and one family at a time.
Cornell College in Iowa resumed campus tours on Monday after a three-month suspension, though access to buildings will be limited. Tours will visit the library, a residence hall, a science building and the Thomas Commons.
“The visit team is very excited to be able to welcome students back to our campus,” Visit Experience Coordinator Danielle Grimm said on the college’s website. “We have taken the time to ensure that our staff is following the precautions put in place and that our guidelines for our visiting families ensure not only their safety but that of our entire community.”
Visitors and college staff will be required to wear masks or face shields, abide by social distancing guidelines, and complete Cornell’s symptom checker prior to arriving on campus.
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Students can bring three guests, and admissions staff and athletics coaches will lead the tours. Students will also be able to meet virtually with financial aid and career planning staff.
“We are focused on the student-athlete experience and it will start with these tours,” Director of Athletics and head baseball coach Seth Wing said on the university’s website.
Campus tours welcome one family at a time
Augustana College in Illinois is limiting its relaunched, in-person campus tours to one family at a time. Students will lead the tours, which will required everyone to wear face coverings.
“We hear time and time again that the campus tour is one of the most important factors in a student’s college choice,” Anna Castro, manager of campus experience, said on the college’s website. “It gives students a chance to imagine themselves here.”
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Prospective students can also join a virtual driving tour of campus conducted via podcast by Augustana students.
In early June, Augustana’s custodial employees returned to begin a deep cleaning of campus buildings that will continue through the summer. The college plans to start in-person classes Aug. 31.
At Missouri State University, campus tours, which began a few weeks ago, are restricted to 10 people and take place entirely outside, KY3-TV reported.
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