Questions and Answers for the 2020-21 Academic Year

The U.S. Department of State has travel warnings in place for all locations, including the United States. You can find country-specific information and details here. The CDC also has information available here. You and your parents will be asked to sign an additional waiver acknowledging this risk.

Yes. We plan to practice social distancing and have firm plans in place to deliver an in-person experience this spring. Some lectures will be remote, but tutorials are set to be in-person with the potential of going remote if quarantine is necessary.

The 15% cost reduction applied at Williams will be applied to WEPO as well. In addition, if students are not residing at the WEPO house or at Williams, they will not be charged room and board. If they are, they will be charged accordingly.

Yes. Current UK regulations require two weeks quarantine upon arrival. This two-week period will be incorporated into travel dates, and it will be possible to quarantine on the WEPO compound.

Two metres between students. One student at a time within the kitchen. Six students at a time in the library. Four students at a time in the computer room. We will have group dinners, but will not be able to include all 26 students at once.

Family units are groups of people that live together. We are currently working with a health-care advisory group that will help us define what a family unit is at WEPO. It could be as small as the two roommates … the unit could be larger, and include everyone on the same floor … and possibly even larger to include everyone with the same stairwell. Currently the UK says pods can not be larger than 8. These details are still being determined with the UK health agency.

Oxford is planning for in-person tutorials, but it is likely that the University will give faculty the options to be remote. So, this may vary on a case-by-case basis.

Typically, WEPO students enroll in 5-6 tutorials for the academic year. That is the same this year. You must take at least one tutorial per term, up to a maximum of 6 tutorials total.

There will be travel restrictions in place. You will not be permitted to leave Oxford while coronavirus measures are in place. You must abide by strict social distancing measures and keep all social spaces clean. Group events and excursions will also be extremely limited and may be canceled altogether. There will also be detailed guidelines on cleanliness and hygiene in all living and shared spaces. Please note that the UK and Oxford are not requiring ongoing COVID-19 testing for people who are asymptomatic. The WEPO will require weekly testing. We are currently working with a private firm that will perform ongoing tests.

Here are the most recent UK health protocols. WEPO students have full access to the National Health Service. In addition, Oxford University has announced that it will have a dedicated testing facility for enrolled students and staff.

We will have one floor of one of the residences (three bedrooms, one bathroom, one kitchen) vacant and designated as a self-isolation ward, for any student who exhibits symptoms. The director and family live in a separate residence and would be able to quarantine there as a family unit. There are additional support services available at Oxford University and through the NHS.