The Senior Leadership Team canceled all study abroad programs for the fall semester amid a growing number of cases of COVID-19 across the nation. Nearly 30 students were expected to travel abroad and have been notified of the cancellations. Stephen Shewmaker, Executive Director of ACU Study Abroad, said students who were looking to study ... [Read More…]

University officials are mandating face coverings and moving the fall semester online after Thanksgiving break in its plan to safely reopen campus. Face coverings will be mandatory for all indoor spaces unless someone is alone in a private office. They will also be required outdoors when physical distancing is not possible. All residence halls ... [Read More…]

Five students and several faculty and staff will serve on the university's first-ever Diversity Council, aimed at promoting minority groups and ethnicities on campus. 13 members will serve on the Diversity Council. Five of the students on the council hold respective roles on campus. "This council will be invaluable as we generate ideas and ... [Read More…]

ACU acquired University Park Apartments on the north corner of campus May 29, which is under the jurisdiction of Residence Life. The purchase will provide more opportunities for students to live on campus during the school year and throughout the summer months.  “By enabling us to acquire this we hope to better accommodate our upperclassmen ... [Read More…]

The university is preparing for a fall study abroad semester but ultimately will not make a definitive decision until some point in June. Dr. Susan Lewis, ACU Vice Provost, said that it's expecting students will get the chance to explore these programs. "As of right now, we have decided that those [study abroad] programs will continue," Lewis ... [Read More…]

The Student Recreation and Wellness Center will reopen to a limited 25% capacity June 8 with abbreviated hours, adjusted policies and limited programs and services. The SRWC's capacity is 500 occupants, so a maximum of 125 participants will be allowed at any given time. Joel Swedlund, executive director of the SRWC, said the university has ... [Read More…]

Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, said the university is preparing for a 5-6% drop in freshman enrollment amid the coronavirus pandemic, though that number may change as the fall approaches. "It's hard to forecast where we might be, but we can make a reasonable forecast of where we might be in the fall," Schubert said in an online ... [Read More…]

ACU students in a philanthropy class distributed $50,000 in anonymous donations to various local nonprofits as part of this year's coursework. This is the fourth year for ACU to host a Giving Ceremony. Usually the reception is hosted at the ACU Mabee Business Building, but it was held over Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the $50,000 ... [Read More…]

ACU's endowment portfolio has seen a 10 percent decline over the past two months, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the steep drop, Chief Investment Officer Jack Rich said he believes it won't create too many issues. "I do not see that our mission has changed because of the pandemic," Rich said. "We will continue to provide resources to ... [Read More…]