COVID-19 Update: Summer Programs

Office of Communications
April 13, 2020

Because the coronavirus has yet to peak in Ohio and in many parts of the U.S., Kenyon has made the difficult decision to cancel all summer programs through the end of July. We recognize that this will be a disappointment to many who have invested time and energy in planning these programs, but we believe this is the only responsible course of action in these uncertain times.

All campus-based research is suspended for the summer, including Summer Scholars, Summer Science Scholars, Community-engaged Research Scholars, Digital Summer Scholars, CSAD Democracy Scholars and Clare Boothe Luce Scholars. Students should talk with their research mentors about whether they can productively move projects forward remotely, or whether they should postpone them until summer 2021 or set them aside altogether. Contact: kerkhoffa@kenyon.edu
The Kenyon Review Young Writers and Young Science Writers Workshops will not be offered this summer, and interested students are encouraged to reapply next summer. The Writers Workshops for adults also are canceled; workshop participants may defer their admission until next summer, and deposits will be returned. Contact: kenyonreview@kenyon.edu
Kenyon’s flagship pre-college programs, the Kenyon Educational Enrichment Program (KEEP) Scholars and the STEM Scholars program, will not have scholars in residence this summer but instead will offer a pre-orientation program and curricula throughout the academic year. Camp 4, Kenyon’s immersion program for rising high school juniors and seniors, will not be offered this summer. Contact: masonte@kenyon.edu
Through the end of July we are unable to host summer youth camps, athletics camps or other programs renting our facilities. All deposits will be returned and we look forward to inviting these programs back next summer. Contact: events@kenyon.edu
Reunion Weekend has been postponed until May 2021, when graduates of classes ending in 0 and 5, as well as 1 and 6, will return to campus for a joint reunion. Contact: alumni@kenyon.edu

In postponing or canceling summer programs, many positions normally held by students will go unfilled. We will seek to make limited summer employment opportunities available to students who are currently on campus and who have been approved to remain. We regret that there will not be opportunities for other students to work on campus or move into the residence halls until at least August 1. We appreciate that students count on campus jobs for summer earnings and that finding alternative employment may be challenging in this climate. Some departments may have work that can be completed remotely; please check with your supervisor or the student employment office about the possibility of a remote position.

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