University of Minnesota students may soon be back on campus.
On Thursday, U of M's Board of Regents endorsed a plan that would bring back in-person classes in the fall of 2020.
The plan still has a few finer details that need to be worked out.
The board will get to see a final version of the plan in July and that is when they will make their final vote.
"Ultimately we feel we are as safe as any place to be able to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. It is our number one priority and we are prepared with extensive planning to be able to do so," said U of M President Joan Gabel.
"This plan includes self-monitoring for symptoms. It includes a stepped up cleaning regimen in certain spaces. It includes testing where clinically indicated, isolation for those with the virus, contact tracing and quarantine for those who have been exposed," said U of M Vice President Rachel Croson.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the U of M to go to virtual classes in March, Gabel has been working with an advisory team to develop a plan for going back in the fall.
Their recommendations include:
- In-person instruction, as well as residence halls living and dining facilities use, in a manner consistent with public health guidance. This will include adjusted capacities and multi-modal instruction—in other words, courses that can be delivered in-person, remotely or through other alternative formats and can transition between modalities as needed.
- Each system campus will examine and adjust its academic calendar in order to enable the conclusion of in-person instruction by Thanksgiving, or earlier if public health guidance indicates.
- Personal health monitoring, as well as a system of testing, isolation, contact tracing and quarantine that will be implemented on each campus.
- Enhanced cleaning and sanitizing practices throughout all University facilities.
The university's release says that they will be flexible and adapt their plan based on health concerns or "other challenges."
