In-person classes at the University of Toledo will resume Aug. 17, one week earlier than the initially planned fall semester start date, university officials announced Friday.
The university is adjusting its fall semester schedule to protect students and staff during the still-ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to UT officials. The current plan is that students will end on-campus learning for the fall semester by Thanksgiving.
The university is also eliminating fall break, and all final exams will be completed remotely during the first week of December. Students will still be on campus for the regularly scheduled 15 weeks.
“Adjusting the fall semester in this way provides our students a great on-campus learning experience while also reducing the potential risk of exposure with students, faculty and staff traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday. We want to avoid, as much as possible, the potential for a member of our campus community to contract and spread the virus when returning to campus,” said Dr. Karen Bjorkman, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs.
With the change in the academic calendar, students will be able to move into the residence halls beginning Aug. 2 through Aug. 15.
“There are a number of uncertainties about COVID-19, but our public health and infectious disease experts have been working closely with local and state health officials to implement proactive strategies to mitigate risk while ensuring our students’ academic success," said Amy Thompson, UToledo vice provost and public health scholar. "In the event that a ‘second wave’ of this virus in late fall becomes a reality, this strategy is one of many preventative measures UToledo can take now to protect our students and our campus community.”
First Published June 5, 2020, 4:06 p.m.
