By Dani Tietz
dani@sjodaily.com
A University of Illinois’ COVID-19 task force has proposed that fall semester begins as scheduled on August 24 with face-to-face instruction and begin online instruction beginning at Fall Break on November 21.
The committee was formed in April by Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost Andreas C. Cangellaris to consider strategies for Fall 2020 instruction in the context of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The committee’s draft report does not mean it will be the University’s final decision.
According to a Mass Mail sent by Cangellaris on June 3, the task force focused much of its effort on evaluating the feasibility of a modified approach to on-campus instruction, including a combination of in-person and online classes.
But, it is only possible if the University of Illinois meets all of the guidelines in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, has adequate testing and tracing protocols and meets cleaning guidelines.
“This includes testing all campus community members as they return to campus in August, along with a robust continuous testing strategy,” Cangellaris wrote.
Students, faculty and staff will also be required to wear face covers as able and, when necessary, social distance both on and off campus.
“The health and safety of the community must be the most important consideration in any decision about Fall 2020 instruction. ‘Normal operations’ (i.e., full face-to-face instruction) are highly unlikely to be a viable option for the fall given the current understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the guidance provided to us from our state’s officials about the anticipated state of the pandemic in Illinois in the fall,” Cangellaris wrote.
In order to achieve these measures, the University of Illinois would need to host most classes at off-peak times, including evenings, while also utilizing non-academic spaces for classrooms. Passing time between classes will likely have to be lengthened and protocols for entering and exiting classrooms developed.
The report also suggested that new and continuing students who do not return to campus for any reason must have access to courses and opportunity to make progress toward their degree. Instructional faculty who are unable to return to campus for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic should still have opportunities to teach and engage students remotely, also.
The campus community will be able to share feedback on the report until June 10. A final announcement is expected to be made in mid-June.
If Illinois has not moved to Phase 4 by the beginning of the academic year, the University “will have to adopt a fully online format,” Cangellaris wrote.
