BYU plans for in person fall semester
Jun 23, 2020, 8:26 AM | Updated: 3:21 pm
Arbitrations are beginning for COVID-19-related housing disputes between BYU students and landlords. (PHOTO: BYU/Twitter)
(PHOTO: BYU/Twitter)
PROVO, Utah — Brigham Young University says they’re planning to see students return to the Provo campus this fall.
In a tweet issued by the University, they state the fall semester is set to begin on August 31. There will be a mix of hybrid in-person and remote classes.
BYU says the plan could change between now and the start of their fall semester but barring any other guidance from state or local governments, they expect students to be back in the classroom.
“The safety and protection of the BYU community is our first priority,” BYU wrote on Twitter Tuesday.
Fall Decision Announcement:
We are planning for an in-person fall semester starting Aug 31, 2020, with a hybrid of in-person and remote classes. This decision is subject to change depending on trends in disease prevalence and guidance from state and local government.
— BYU (@BYU) June 23, 2020
Returning to BYU this fall
Keri Jenkins, a spokesperson for BYU, told KSL NewsRadio there have been 19 different committees at BYU that have been preparing and planning for students to return this fall.
BYU will require face coverings for students and employees in all university buildings and classrooms as well as in any other areas where directed.
“We are requiring all members of our campus community to wear face coverings indoors and to follow the physical distancing of six feet,” said Jenkins. BYU is also asking people to wear face coverings outside when physical distancing isn’t possible.
Jenkins said there’s been a lot of creative thinking in their plans to return to campus, including occupying spaces that wouldn’t normally be used as classrooms–like large ballrooms as places for students and teachers to meet.
BYU will return to remote coursework after the Thanksgiving break and “students who travel home for Thanksgiving are encouraged to finish fall semester at home,” said Jenkins.
Students who fall under any of the high-risk categories are encouraged to stay off-campus and remote coursework will be available to them.
No announcement has yet been made for the school’s Winter Semester.
These are our general plans that we are sharing with you today. We will keep detailed updates coming as fall semester draws near. For more information on housing, campus services, events and more, go to https://t.co/1tjJLcDzMO
— BYU (@BYU) June 23, 2020
Other Utah Schools
Both Utah and Weber State University made similar announcements late last week saying they will also have a mixture of in-person and remote learning available for students.
UPDATE: Changes to the fall 2020 semester have been made, and new info is available regarding teaching formats, classroom expectations and campus safety. #USUAggies
Read more at: https://t.co/Zz851jnBqd pic.twitter.com/L8KGMpJjse— Utah State University (@USUAggies) June 18, 2020
Weber State continues to focus on how we can safely repopulate our campuses and prepare to resume in-person operations for fall 2020.
Our overarching goal in the coming months is to keep campus healthy and open.
The latest updates include the following: pic.twitter.com/31Qbdcfb9e
— Weber State University (@WeberStateU) June 19, 2020
Weber State says their final decision will be made the first week of July.
