(Richmond, VA) – As students return to collegiate campuses this fall, they will likely be met with a whole new look and approach to day to day activities. In a press conference Thursday afternoon Governor Ralph Northam outlined the new set of guidelines. In coordination with state officials all institutes of higher education in Virginia will be required to submit a comprehensive plan for how they will conduct operations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Peter Blake, director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, said students should expect a “new normal” when they return to campus that includes more online and hybrid classes and smaller class sizes. “Residence life will be spread out, food service will be offered in nontraditional ways, and large-scale events such as performing arts and athletics will be a new experience,” Blake said.
As part of the new proposals that must be submitted by colleges and universities a particular focus will be staggering schedules, more online focus, how schools will repopulate campuses to begin the new semester. As well as preparing and addressing the needs of the surrounding communities and being able to handle and surge capacity issues if a new outbreak were to occur. The proposals will also need to include new health screening measures on campus.
University’s both public and private were ordered by the Governor to cease in person instruction on March 30th as numbers and concerns mounted due to coronavirus.