Summer Term Update: Research projects, internships, but no classes

Dear Grinnellians,

Traditionally, Grinnell has not offered summer classes because we use that time for other academic and co-curricular activities, such as MAPs and internships. For summer 2020, we made an exception to meet academic needs that had emerged due to the pandemic.

As part of our planning for the 2020–21 academic year, we had reserved an optional Summer Term to assist students unable to make adequate progress towards a degree in the first four terms. The good news is that after two terms the number of students in that category is very low and similar to non-pandemic years.

Given that our students are making good progress toward their degrees, despite a very difficult and intense year, I write today with the update that Grinnell College will not offer classes in Summer 2021.  We will work individually with the few students who need further academic credit on options towards the degree.

Summer 2021 will instead include our normal summer academic and co-curricular activities.

Elaine Marzluff

Interim Dean of the College

Breid-McFarland Professor of Science