Statement Regarding Spring 2021 Classes and Events

Due to the widespread prevalence of the coronavirus in Tulsa County, Phillips Theological Seminary will remain fully online for Spring 2021 classes and events. The administration will announce a decision on how the seminary will celebrate commencement by April 1.

“While we miss being with each other on campus, we also do not anticipate a significant reduction in the spread of COVID-19 that would make it safe to be in-person until later in 2021,” said Phillips President Nancy Claire Pittman.

The Phillips “Living Together: Classroom Reopening Task Force,” led by Dean Lee H. Butler, Jr., continues its work of data collection in order to recommend plans for a safe return to campus and has already instituted changes to help reduce the spread of illness.

“The Novel Coronavirus has created conditions that are antithetical to human thriving,” said Butler. “Life and living together in relationship in this time of COVID-19 does, however, mean that we must exercise wisdom and good judgment.”

Butler said while all courses will be online, some will happen synchronously, where students gather at the same time for class. Some courses will be delivered asynchronously, allowing students to complete coursework on their own schedule. Some classes will be a hybrid of the two methods.

“Phillips is dedicated to ensuring quality theological education whether courses are online, on campus, or a combination,” Pittman said. “We’ve been providing online classes for more than a decade and will continue to do so with the same commitment to providing theological formation within one community of learning and companionship, whether together or apart.”