There will be several changes when college students return to campus in the Fall due to COVID-19. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says its all designed to protect the students, staff, and faculty. For example, changing the calendar so students will complete the semester before Thanksgiving.
“I think you’ll see that occur at several of our universities, some have already set that in their academic calendar. Most are contemplating what that looks like and whether it’s condensing the entire semester to be out by Thanksgiving or planning to go online only after Thanksgiving,” says Henderson.
The population of dorm rooms could change on campus, for example, a communal space that was reversed for four students before could be now be limited to two.
Henderson says this spring they learned how to improvise and implement technology, and it will be part of the changes designed to assist those at high-risk.
“We cannot let the virus disrupt, one the ability to learn if it’s a student, or the ability to educate if they’re a faculty member, and so we’re going to accommodate them to the fullest extent possible,” says Henderson.
Henderson says masks are going to be prevalent on UL System campuses.
“We’re going to require masks in the classroom through Phase One and Phase Two. But you know the public health officials are recommending that masks not just through Phase Three but until a vaccine is available,” says Henderson