President Sean Decatur informed the Kenyon College community Tuesday of updated plans for the 2020-2021 academic year. A few of the details from Decatur's announcement included a mix of in-person and remote instruction for the fall semester, as well as a cancellation of all intercollegiate athletics competition for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year.

In the update Decatur wrote:

"We are switching to a model with a reduced population of students on campus. This will allow us to house all students in singles with adequate spare space for isolation and quarantine. The reduction of the number of students taking in-person classes also reduces demand on classroom spaces, allowing us to optimize where these classes are located (and reducing density in the academic buildings). Having a more robust line-up of remote course offerings increases flexibility for students choosing remote versus in-person. We will delay making a decision about spring semester until later in the fall (when we have more information)."

The design calls for first-years, sophomores and new transfers to be in residence for the fall semester with the hope that all students can return to campus for the spring semester. If, however, conditions do not improve, juniors and seniors will be on campus for the spring. Space will also be reserved on campus both semesters for international students, regardless of class year, and for other students with exceptional circumstances.

The fall semester will begin one week later, August 31, to accommodate the shift.

The design does bring significant change to athletics operations. While competition comes to a halt, practices, workouts, team activities and meetings will be allowed for on-campus student-athletes, as long as health and safety guidelines are followed. The NCAA did issue a blanket waiver for the entire academic year, so no part of a student-athlete's eligibility will be expended if that student-athlete's sport does not compete or can only compete in 50 percent or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition.

In an e-mail sent to student-athletes, Decatur, Vice President for Student Affairs Meredith Harper Bonham '92 and Director of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation Jill McCartney stated:

"Please understand that athletics remains an important aspect of the Kenyon student experience. For now, however, it will have a different look. The Department of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation is committed to making that experience look and feel as meaningful as possible. Your coaches and staff are here to support you, and will be focused on establishing an environment that allows for our teams to reconvene in creative and purposeful ways. They will use this time to learn and grow in ways that build our community in sport and beyond.

At this time we do not yet know what lies ahead for our winter and spring sports seasons at Kenyon, and regret that there is continued uncertainty amidst rapidly changing circumstances. We do know that we will have better data and information in the fall, including our ability as a community to adhere to social distancing and other public health guidelines."  

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Varsity Sports

•  Will there be fall sports?

No. Kenyon teams will not be competing in any intercollegiate athletics through the end of the 2020 calendar year. Fall sports seasons for cross country, field hockey, football, golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball will not take place. Decisions regarding winter and spring sports seasons have yet to be determined.

• Will fall sports student-athletes still be able to return early to begin training and/or practices?

No. Student-athletes will return to campus with the rest of the student population during a phased move-in that will take place prior to the start of classes, Monday, August 31. 

• Will the teams not competing this fall still be able to practice and hold team activities?

Yes. Following the NCAA resocialization of sport guidelines, as well as campus, local, state and federal policies, teams will be able to continue to practice, workout and hold group activities. Coaches will connect with student-athletes and design plans that best promote safety, while cultivating teamwork and well-being.

• What will practices look like and what will be permitted in the way of small-group work or skill training?

Sport specific activities will be dictated by the NCAA's guidance on return to play. There will be benchmarks and dates for the activities. The department will be working to establish this firm set of expectations for each sport as they return to campus.

• Are all student-athletes allowed to participate with their teams this fall?

Students permitted back on campus, per the College's most recent plan, are allowed to participate with their teams. Those not permitted on campus, such as juniors and seniors in the fall semester, are not. However, those not permitted on campus can still remain involved by utilizing virtual workout programs and meetings set up by coaches. 

• What will student-athletes need to do before they are able to practice?

Along with the requirements put forth by the College, the expectation is that each student-athlete will have a pre-participation physical done prior to returning to any organized practice. We will be providing guidance for availability and options to get this physical exam here on campus or via telehealth options. 

• How will practicing affect a student-athlete's NCAA eligibility?

The NCAA has issued a blanket waiver for all sports during the 2020-2021 academic year. The waiver states that Division III student-athletes will not be charged with participation for the 2020-21 season if their team competes in 50 percent or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, each student-athlete will not be charged for the semesters in which they practice, as long as the sport meets these criteria.

• If a student-athlete takes a gap semester in the fall of 2020, will that student-athlete be eligible to participate in spring 2021, if we have a season?

Yes. As things stand now, as long as they are a junior or senior fully enrolled in classes. Depending on your season, we would determine the amount of semesters and seasons used toward NCAA eligibility. 

• Is there a scenario in which spring sports play, but underclassmen won't be allowed on campus? How does that affect NCAA eligibility?

If current conditions continue and the College does not return everyone to campus in the spring, first-years and sophomores would be unable to participate in any winter or spring sport seasons. However, they will not be charged with a season of participation even if they practice during the fall term with their teams.

•  If a senior student-athlete does not use all eligibility and graduates from Kenyon, can that student-athlete use the remaining eligibility in graduate school programs?

Any student-athlete who does not complete their four seasons of eligibility while enrolled at Kenyon would be permitted the opportunity to use that season(s) while enrolled in a graduate school. Those interested in doing so would need to work with the compliance officer to be entered into the NCAA Transfer Portal as a graduate school participant.

• How often will members of teams who are on campus be tested for COVID-19?

Since athletic competition will not take place for the remainder of the calendar year, the current plan is that student-athlete testing will be consistent with the rest of campus. Due to the close nature of athletics, there could be the potential for additional testing if there are members of a group who show symptoms or test positive. 

• What happens if we have a positive test result on our team?

Student-athletes, coaches or athletics staff who test positive must follow isolation protocols and will be asked to assist with contact tracing. Knox Public Health has jurisdiction and will handle symptom monitoring, meal delivery, etc. Tests will also be administered to anyone potentially exposed to the person who tested positive. At minimum, a positive test triggers exclusion from team activities.

• Will spring sports still be able to hold their non-traditional seasons during the fall semester?

Following the same protocol regarding safe return to play, spring sports can hold their non-traditional seasons, but no competition will be permitted.

• Will student-athletes still have access to services provided by sports medicine, the equipment room, and strength and conditioning?

As we continue to map out a plan to return to campus and re-open the Kenyon Athletic Center, every effort is being made to continue these services, although the extent of these offerings will most likely be limited by various factors, including safety and prevention measures, as well as scheduling and reserving of spaces.

• Can local resident students train with the team during their semester off? Similarly, if competition resumes in the spring, can freshmen and sophomores, who are scheduled to be off campus, join the team? 

No. Those student-athletes cannot be held to the same protocols and expectations as the student-athletes remaining on campus, so they will not be permitted to train or compete with the team. 

• If a student-athlete has a Merit Award (or other scholarship) and takes a gap year, will that student-athlete lose that money? 

No. Students will not be penalized financially as a result of our new plan.

• In the past, a practice window for teams was inserted into the campus schedule. Will class times and locations being revamped for the fall semester, will that window remain intact? 

For the most part, yes. We still plan to honor the 4-7 pm practice window, however, to keep classes spaced out in time or in the best teaching locations, there may be some sections of courses that may overlap the window.

• If conditions improve and all students are back on campus for the spring semester, is there a chance that 2020 fall sports will be moved to the 2021 spring semester? 

Presidents Council issued a waiver eliminating traditional and nontraditional seasons for 2020-21. That allows for the possibility of conducting fall sports in the spring semester. However, it is important to keep in mind current realities as well, including but not limited to the following:

1. If current public health conditions continue or worsen throughout the upcoming months, the opportunities for competition will remain as they are for this fall. 
2. If public health conditions permit more robust competition in the spring semester, it will be important to remember athletics will continue to look different as various resources such as staffing, court/field space, availability of lighting, and weather, will create significant challenges as we try to maximize opportunities for more than 20 sports over the course of one semester.

 
Fitness and Recreation

• What can the community expect from KenyonFit?

KenyonFit will suspend the majority of in-person fitness classes for the fall semester. However, the Kenyon community will be able to access on-demand fitness classes and nutrition tracking programs via a new app. In order to help the community maintain physical fitness and encourage activity, KenyonFit will offer a variety of incentive programs, outdoor activities, and individual challenges that can be done while maintaining safety and health measures.

• Will club and intramural sports still be offered?

The guidelines put in place for varsity athletics through the end of the 2020 calendar also apply to club sports competition. A determination regarding club sports practice has yet to be made. Intramural team sports will also be put on hold; however, the department is trying to draw up creative ways to hold limited intramural events that adhere to safety and health measures. 



 Kenyon Athletic Center 

• Will the KAC be open? 

Yes. As we make adjustments to best meet health and safety protocols, the KAC has a tentative reopening set soon after the campus-wide quiet period, which currently is slated through September 4. More details regarding the reopening of the KAC will be shared later this summer. 

• Will I need an appointment to work out at the KAC?

In accordance with local, state and federal guidelines, we will limit the number of people using the KAC at any one time. We are finalizing processes for doing so, including the implementation of a check-in and reservation system for some spaces. 

• If I'm not a student-athlete, can I still use the KAC?

Yes, but limited to faculty, staff and students currently enrolled and living on campus. Physical well-being is an important part of life for Kenyon students regardless of their participation in College athletics. While the initial experience of entering and interacting with the space may be different this year, we anticipate the overall user experience will be as strong as ever. 

• Can local resident students utilize the KAC during their semester off campus?

No. Students living off campus will not be held to the same testing and safety protocols as those living on campus. Allowing off-campus students into the KAC would undermine efforts to minimize risk. The lone exception being those students who have successfully petitioned to live in their permanent residence while attending classes. 

• Can community members continue to use the KAC?

No. After careful consideration and guidance from senior staff, the Department of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation has made the difficult decision to limit access to the KAC. For the foreseeable future, KAC usage will be limited to faculty, staff and students currently enrolled and living on campus. This action is being taken to reduce building capacity, promote distancing and ensure patrons meet health and safety protocols for being on campus. We recognize that the decision may be an inconvenience for many of our valued patrons who enjoy using the facility, but it is a necessary one for the health and safety of our students, employees and community. More details will be forthcoming regarding a new membership enrollment process.

• What public health protocols will be in place at the KAC? Will I need to wear a mask while working out?

We are carefully assessing federal, state and local guidelines in order to maintain a safe and healthy environment for KAC users. Protocols will include limits on the number of people in specific spaces, physical distancing, enhanced cleaning protocols and a requirement for users to wear facial coverings when they are not actively engaged in physical activity.   
 

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Working Groups

Throughout the summer months, members of the Department of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation dedicated countless hours to serving on committees and working groups in an effort to establish guidelines for a safe return to Athletics operations. Four main working groups were organized to fixate on Athletics, however, many coaches and staff members also volunteered their time to serving on a wide array of committees across campus.    


Athletics
Working Group: KAC Operations
  Chair: Justin Newell
  Members: Alan Kavanaugh, Brett Worsham, Ron Kontura, Kirstin Fuller, Jay Corrigan
  Charge: To reconfigure operations and determine use for all KAC venues following campus and local and state guidelines for health and safety.
 
Working Group: Varsity Athletics
  Chair: Kelly Bryan
  Members: Mark Teeples, Marty Fuller, Brett Worsham, Ian McInturf, Clare Kelley, Judy Holdener
  Charge:  Establish the return-to-sport protocols for varsity athletic teams following the Sport Science Institute guidelines, NCAA phases and NCAC Health and Safety Committee recommendations.

Working Group: Fitness and Recreation
  Chair: Emily Heithaus
  Members: Grant Wallace
  Charge: To oversee PEHS course offerings and accommodations for in-person and online instruction; reconfigure KenyonFit offerings; and provide guidance for club sports and Intramurals.  
  Subcommittee: Club Sports
  Chair: Jill McCartney
  Members: Wendy Newell, Rocco Danese, Emily Heithaus, Grant Wallace
  Charge: To establish the guidelines for club sports participation following campus and local and state health and safety guidelines.


Campus Committees
  Classroom & Building Flow Working Group: Grant Wallace
  Dining Committee: Kelly Bryan
  Child/Dependent Care Working Group: Grant Wallace
  Calendar Committee: Jill McCartney
  Move-In Committee: Doug Misarti
  Guest Policy Committee: Jacque DeMarco
  Professional Travel: Jill McCartney
  Club Sports: Emily Heithaus, Grant Wallace
  Testing: Mark Teeples
 

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If you have additional question about Athletics, Fitness and Recreation, please contact athletics@kenyon.edu