The University of Utah, Utah State University and Southern Utah University are having students return to campus. Class sizes will be smaller and some classes will be online.
Announcement From 3 Major Universities In Utah
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Three major universities in Utah have announced that students will return to campus this fall for in-person classes with preventive measures implemented to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.
The announcements from the University of Utah, Utah State University and Southern Utah University included measures such as smaller class sizes and keeping some larger classes online, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
The Utah Board of Higher Education is expected to release a draft of specific criteria this week for the colleges choosing to reopen but each of the eight public institutions will be able to decide individually how to proceed.
Fall classes are scheduled to begin in August but continue to be contingent on the number of cases statewide. There are now more than 8,600 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, health officials said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
The University of Utah decided to resume face-to-face classes to "make sure the student experience is as valuable as possible," spokesman Chris Nelson said, adding that some courses are difficult to teach online such as music performance or science labs.
One challenge will be the location of the university in Salt Lake City, officials said. It is the only college located in a moderate risk phase city, meaning it requires more strict regulations.
"It's probably not going to be your typical experience this year," Nelson said, adding that the university is considering requiring everyone to wear masks.
Students will be allowed to move into on-campus housing and dining halls will serve prepackaged meals instead of buffet-style meals.
Utah State University has announced similar plans.
"We are counting on our faculty, staff and students to be socially responsible with the protocols we will put in place so everyone benefits from a successful fall semester," President Noelle Cockett said. "Our plans for fall semester will only continue if we all move forward with care and concern for our fellow community members."
SUU President Scott Wyatt pointed to the school's rural location. "When you come back, know this — Cedar City, like most of rural Utah, is one of the safest places in the country," he said in a video statement. "We've had very few cases of COVID-19 and have fewer of the problems that people experience in larger cities during a pandemic."
Other universities statewide are considering their options. Utah Valley University in Orem anticipates a decision will be made by Friday. Dixie State University, Brigham Young University and others have not yet to finalized decisions.
Photo Courtesy of The University of Utah’s Facebook page
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