Life on campus might soon look much like it did before the pandemic. The University of Florida announced on Friday a plan to return to normal for the summer and fall semesters.
In an email sent to students, faculty and staff, university Provost and Senior Vice President Joe Glover detailed tentative plans for a “largely normal course offering for summer B and fall.” This means most classes will be held in person, in addition to a “normal selection of online courses.”
The email mentioned the possibility of continuing mask requirements, “based on guidance that suggests a small possibility that those who are vaccinated could still harbor the virus and spread it to others.”
According to the email, Summers A (May 10 to June 18) and C (May 10 to August 6) will play out like Spring semester, with reduced classroom capacity, physical distancing and hybrid classes. The changes will come into effect for Summer B (June 28 to August 6.)
“This decision is based on the favorable progress in vaccinations and continued declines in positive cases on campus, in our community and elsewhere,” the email said.
Glover referenced the university’s track record for holding in-person classes during the pandemic: “Forty-three percent of all undergraduates are taking one or more face-to-face courses. To date, we have seen no evidence of COVID transmission in classrooms or laboratories.”
As of Tuesday, Florida has fully vaccinated 2.5 million people against COVID-19, just over 45,000 of them in Alachua County, according to the Department of Health.