University of Idaho students will register for classes for the Fall 2020 semester within the next four days, beginning at 5 p.m. today.
Universities around the country are in communication about whether online classes will continue into the fall semester due to COVID-19. UI is no different, Dean of Students Blaine Eckles said.
“We have been thinking and talking about the fall semester,” Eckles said. “At the moment, we are planning to be open like we typically would be for the fall semester. That being said, as we have shown over the last several weeks, we are going to work closely with public health as we get closer to that date and time. We will pivot if we need to.”
UI administration plans to follow public health, state and national government and the Idaho State Board of Education’s lead to make decisions in the coming months, Eckles said.
“We are always going to keep safety first,” Eckles said. “Safety will always be at the forefront of our decision making when it comes to our students and our community. We don’t want to jeopardize anybody.”
Whether UI’s campus will open in the fall is uncertain, but the administration is accessing the situation and its effect on students and the community on a weekly basis, Eckles said.
“The unknown is so large right now,” Eckles said.
While there is no specific time frame, the administration is looking to send out a communication about the Fall 2020 semester in the future. In the meantime, students will register as normal, as the current plan is to open in the fall.
“I think we have shown that we can provide and deliver on our educational experience for students, whether it’s in person or online,” Eckles said. “I don’t think anyone finds the online environment ideal, but our faculty have done a tremendous job, and I think students can be assured that when they sign up for a class they are going to get a good educational experience regardless of how that is going to be provided to them.”
Mariah Wood can be reached on [email protected] or on Twitter @MariahW65365314.