Utah State University will adjust the fall 2020 semester schedule on all campuses in order to decrease the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
The day allotted for “fall break” (Oct. 16) was canceled, and instruction after the Thanksgiving break will be remote only. This will allow those students whose permanent home is away from USU campuses to stay there until the beginning of spring semester, reducing the opportunity for spread of the coronavirus in classrooms after Thanksgiving.
“Universities face unique challenges in preventing the transmission COVID-19, and we are taking unique steps to minimize the risk of spread and keep our students and employees on our campuses this fall,” said Frank Galey, USU’s executive vice president and provost.
Teaching Formats for Fall Classes
Teaching formats for fall classes will change to ensure social distancing in classroom settings. Classroom delivery methods will include: traditional face-to-face or interactive video conferencing (IVC), web broadcast, online, hybrid face-to-face, as well as a blend of these.
The university is currently making changes to the teaching formats for fall classes. When these are finalized in the next few weeks, students will receive an email prompting them to review their schedules.
USU has offered online courses and distance education for decades and will leverage its expertise to offer students effective learning opportunities in the fall. The university is also gearing up academic support resources to help students prepare to learn successfully in whatever format their classes are offered.
Most instructional methods for fall 2020 will require students to have access to a computer and the internet. For certain instructional methods, students will be notified of specific technology requirements. USU anticipates provided expanded academic resources to help students be successful with the new instructional methods.
Fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 31. After Thanksgiving break (Nov. 25-27), instruction will go remote beginning Monday, Nov. 30. The last day of classes is Friday, Dec. 11. Finals will be held remotely during the week of December 14-18.
Classroom Expectations for Fall
The university expects face coverings or masks to be worn whenever it is difficult to maintain 6 feet from others. For the physical classrooms, all students and instructors will be expected to wear face coverings and to social distance. Attendance will also be taken to assist later in tracing contacts in case someone in the class is diagnosed with COVID-19.
Personal Responsibility to Protect Campus Community
The university is calling on all students, staff and faculty to do their part to minimize risk to the rest of the community.
“At Utah State, we often talk about ‘Aggies Think Care Act’ and about taking personal responsibility for the well-being of our community,” said James Morales, vice president for student affairs. “This has never been more relevant than right now, when an individual’s actions could significantly affect the health and lives of others.”
The university will send more communications in the coming weeks about fall classes, academic support services, and on-campus housing at residential campuses. Students should make sure to check their preferred email address for future details.
More information about the university’s response to the current pandemic is at www.usu.edu/covid-19.