University of Delaware offers details on reopening plan

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University of Delaware photo.
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The University of Delaware has released a reopening plan that includes a freeze on tuition. UD has raised tuition virtually every year. However, other fees will be raised, due in part to added costs that will come with preparing for life with COVID-19.

In a letter to the university community, President Dennis Assanis said the first day of classes will be Sept. 1, although it will not be college life  as usual.

Asssanis wrote classes  feature a “blended format (a mix of face-to-face and online instruction.”

The UD President said the reopening process got underway in early June with “ongoing presence of essential working staff, and the recent re-entry of some of our student-athletes. Where possible, UD staff members will be encouraged to continue working remotely until further notice in order to minimize the number of individuals working simultaneously in campus spaces.”

There are currently no  changes to the dates indicated in the formal academic calendar for fall 2020, except that the start date of the Thanksgiving break will be changed.

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“There are changes to the course delivery mode after the Thanksgiving break (see below), and the university is poised to convert to fully online learning at any time if COVID-19 circumstances dictate.”

The last day for traditional classes is Nov. 20.

All classes with 49 or more students will be in online format with face-to-face recitation and small-scale interaction opportunities  if possible.

For students whose health conditions prevent them from attending class in person and/or international students who are unable to be on campus due to travel restrictions or other circumstances, UD will provide access to course delivery.

More specific information pertaining to course/classroom scheduling and protocols that will be implemented for UD students and faculty can be viewed on the Return to Campus website.

UD students living in on-campus housing will be moving in over an extended period of time ranging from mid- to late August. 

UD Athletics will continue to monitor the public health situation with plans to compete. Student-athletes have begun to return to campus in a phased manner in anticipation of an active fall season of sporting events. Student athletes are currently being tested in accordance with approved health protocols.

Testing will take place, although there was no announcement of mass testing of incoming students.

Assanis said the plan was based on the input and preliminary recommendations from the Campus Reopening and Fall Planning Task Force.

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