New London — Mitchell College students began returning to campus last week and started classes this week, with new protocols in place for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have all been eagerly anticipating the return to campus this semester and look forward to a safe and successful fall 2020 for our campus community,” said Tracy Espy, president of Mitchell College.

All students — 405 residential students and 236 commuters — will take online classes for the initial two weeks, according to spokesperson Britt Barry. Classes started Tuesday.

Then on Sept. 14, courses will be offered in a mix of formats: in person, remotely and in the “hybrid/blended” model, which has both in-person and remote components, Barry said. After Thanksgiving break, all students will complete the second session of the fall semester remotely.

Residential students are quarantining for their first two weeks on campus and receiving meals at their residence halls.

The college will be randomly testing 5 to 10% of the faculty, staff and students once a week or twice a week, as circumstances dictate, Barry said. Students exhibiting symptoms will be tested as needed, and isolation space has been set up for any students positive for COVID-19.

To date, no positive COVID-19 cases have been reported at the college, Barry said.

Students, faculty and staff will report daily through the CoVerified app or through a web browser, whether or not they are experiencing any symptoms, Barry said. The app also will be used for people to submit test results and will help with contact tracing, as needed.

Everybody will be required to wear a face covering in indoor and outdoor public spaces on campus, keep 6 feet of distance when possible and wash their hands. The college also stepped up cleaning protocols, installed one-way traffic patterns on stairs and in and out of buildings, and reduced density in residence halls and campus buildings, according to Barry.

Members of the Mitchell College community signed the “Mariner Promise” to follow the protocols.

Jen Ryley Welsh, associate dean of academic affairs and first year experience, said the college redesigned its traditional orientation to include online elements. “We have used these unusual times to reimagine how we welcome students to campus,” she said.

With a mix of different instruction formats this semester, the college collaborated “with students and instructors to create a schedule of classes that is adaptable to a variety of comfort levels and learning styles,” Welsh said.

While still adhering to social distance requirements, the college’s Campus Life Team also planned social opportunities for students, “including virtual bingo, virtual trivia, group palm reading, s’mores on the beach and a socially distanced silent disco party.”

k.drelich@theday.com