Ella Ruehsen and Emma Pinezich are news reporters for the Vermont Cynic, where a version of this article was first published.
The University of Vermont is planning to return to in-person classes next fall and hold an in-person commencement in just three months.
That word came by way of an announcement from UVM President Suresh Garimella on Monday, the same day that the school reported 41 new cases of Covid-19 in its weekly report, 31 more than had been recorded the previous week.
Of the 41 new positive tests, 21 were from on-campus students and 20 from those living off campus. No faculty members of staff tested positive.
Three days before the week’s results were updated, the twice-weekly testing mandate for students was extended through the end of this week. It was originally set to expire March 8.
“Beginning the week of March 22, we anticipate returning to testing every seven days,” Gary Derr, vice president for operations and public safety, said in an email. “If you want to continue with the twice-weekly schedule, you will be welcome to do so.”
There were 19,502 student test results received between March 8 and March 14, slightly higher than the previous week when 17,966 student test results were received.
UVM has also recently begun including the percentage of positive cases detected that came from students already in quarantine on its dashboard, which was 32.5% this week.
In announcing his plans for the fall, Garimella said the school is still working with health officials but hopes that learning will return to the way things were pre-pandemic, with some additional online and hybrid course offerings.
“We will, of course, continue to rely on public health guidance and work with state and local officials,” he said. “But we are confident that fall 2021 will include course offerings close to, if not at, pre-pandemic levels.”
The fall course offerings, which were also released Monday morning, offer 25% more online and hybrid classes for students who “find this mode of instruction valuable to their learning.”
The email said that although the university expects to maintain quarantine restrictions, officials do not anticipate requiring pre-arrival tests but will continue to monitor health information as it evolves.
Garimella also said the University will share guidance related to Covid-19 vaccinations as soon as the information becomes available.
“Vaccine distribution plans vary by state, but every student is encouraged to be vaccinated when they are able,” he said.
According to a Cynic article last month, administration of the vaccine program is controlled by the state, not UVM. And a spokesperson for the Vermont Department of Health said Vermont’s plans for rolling out vaccine distribution at colleges have not yet been finalized but are underway.
UVM is also tentatively planning to have in-person commencement with only graduates, which is currently scheduled for May 23, according to the commencement website.
“Public health regulations may require us to limit in-person attendance to graduates only, but the conversations are underway,” the email said. “We are working hard to make it a great experience, even with Covid-19 restrictions in place.”
