ROCHESTER (WWJ) -- When classes resume this winter at Oakland University, they will be virtual.
The school made the announcement on Tuesday that students will start Winter 2022 courses in an online-only format on Wednesday, January 5.
Classes are then expected to return to their previously scheduled formats on Tuesday, January 18, pending further need to respond to pandemic conditions.
A small portion of courses -- including labs, lab-based research and field experiences -- may meet in person starting on January 5, though students should contact their instructors for additional direction.
“We are proud of the health and safety measures our campus community has taken over the past two years,” said Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D. “We are grateful that the campus community compliance rates are very high. That said, we also understand that we have to continue to actively work to maintain our health and safety as we go into the Winter semester and the new year.”
The move comes in response to the spreading omicron variant in Michigan, as six cases have been confirmed in the state. The two-week period of remote learning at the start of the semester will also allow any students who may have been to COVID-19 over the break proper time to quarantine.
Oakland University’s Kresge Library will operate on limited hours – from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays only during the first two weeks of January.
Scheduled athletic events will still take place as planned, and other auxiliary university services will operate on their normal schedules unless otherwise posted.
The Graham Health Center on campus will also be offering scheduled appointments for Moderna vaccines and boosters.
“All campus community members are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus if not already, as well as to receive booster shots as advised by the CDC,” Pescovitz said. “All other infection prevention practices and expectations in place for students, faculty and staff will be maintained into the winter semester. This includes the mask mandate inside campus buildings.”
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