Pictured Above: In an email sent on May 27, President Currall announced that although the USF system will be open come fall, the campuses will move back into online learning after Thanksgiving break.
Cassidy Schuck | The Crow’s Nest
By Sophie Ojdanic
Although Florida public universities got the green light to reopen in the fall, classes at USF will be moved online once again after Nov. 30 to “mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19” due to a possible increase in student travel over the holidays.
“These modifications are intended to avoid potentially thousands of students, faculty and staff from returning to our campuses after traveling for the holiday,” USF President Steve Currall said.
The announcement came in an email to students from Currall on Wednesday. Final exams for the fall semester will also be conducted online, the email said.
“A full array of support services, such as advising, tutoring and counseling, will continue to be available to students remotely during this transition near the end of the fall semester,” Currall said in the email.
The email also specified that residence halls and dining options will remain open after Thanksgiving break to accommodate students who must stay on campus.
According to Currall, plans are still in development regarding USF’s fall commencement ceremonies.
“Honestly, I understand the precautions and I am okay with that especially given the fact that we would only have on campus classes for about a week before finals start,” Kaitlyn Bodnar, a junior education major.
The email included precautions that may be taken when classes resume in August, such as required face coverings, limited social gatherings and enhanced cleaning protocols.
Currall proceeded to commend students, faculty and staff for their response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I continue to be deeply impressed by the creative and compassionate ways our students, faculty and staff are adapting to the current situation,” Currall said. “It’s precisely how a world-class university like USF can overcome any challenge.”
This is a developing story. Stay with crowsneststpete.com for updates.
Cassidy Schuck contributed to this report.
