Coronavirus: Wright State announces ‘hybrid’ in-person classes as part of fall reopening plans

FAIRBORN — A “flexible mixture” of in-person and remote courses for students are part of the final plans for Wright State’s fall semester that will see students return to the campuses in Fairborn and the Lake Campus in Mercer County for the start of 2020-21 academic year, the university announced Tuesday.

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Monday, Aug. 24 will be the start of the fall semester with students on campus. At the beginning of the normal Thanksgiving break, starting Nov. 25, all classes will move to fully remote learning until the end of the semester. Final exams will also be administered remotely, a university spokesperson said in a media release.

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The announcement of the university’s plans was released focusing on seven categories, including academics, residential life, athletics, and research.

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Academics:

• Fall courses will be offered in a flexible, “hybrid” setting in-person and on-campus. WSU estimates one-third of all classes will have in-person components with the majority of those in-person classes also offering all coursework remotely, for those who choose to not return for in-person classes.
• On campus classes will have fewer students in them, to maintain proper social distancing requirements. Large lecture-based classes that typically are delivered to a large enrolled class will now be delivered remotely. Students in those courses will have the opportunity to participate online through chats or discussion forums.
• Specific details about what courses will be offered remotely, or in-person, will be released later.

Housing:

• All residential housing will be open with reduced occupancy for students wanting to live on one of WSU’s on-campus residence halls.
• Self-isolation and quarantine areas will be set up as-needed.
• Move-in dates will be staggered over several days in August.

Health Protocols:

• Social distancing, daily health assessments, hand washing, cleaning surfaces, and face coverings will be required for all campus members, including students, employees, and visitors.

Research:

• Only research that requires campus facilities will continue on campus. General office activities, data analysis and writing will continue to be done remotely.

Athletics:

• Fall sports and men’s and women’s basketball will resume in the school’s initial phase of reopening with spring sports following later. July 6 is the early return date tentatively scheduled for men’s basketball. July 13: Cross county, soccer, and volleyball. July 20: Baseball, golf, track and field, women’s basketball.

Facilities:

• Thorough cleaning and disinfecting has been completed and will continue to be, including areas that are high-touch points including door handles, elevator buttons and others.
• Occupancy limits in place for restrooms
• Shields or barriers will be placed in areas of frequent person-to-person interactions.

Additional details about the university’s plans for reopening campus services and offices will be released before the start of the semester.

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