University of Idaho will transition to completely remote instruction after Fall Break. UI officials recommend all students stay home until next semester, but the campus will remain open.
Students are encouraged to stay away from campus until the start of the Spring 2021 semester because students will be traveling, Blaine Eckles, vice provost for student affairs and dean of students, said. Normally, he’s leery when students travel during winter months, but he hopes students will be especially cautious this year.
“We do recognize though that some students may not have a permanent location to return home to,” Eckles said. “We do strongly encourage students, if they travel, to stay away. We don’t have in-person classes after Thanksgiving break, so students can complete all their coursework online.”
On-campus residents should just let their Resident Assistant know if they intend to stay after Fall Break, John Kosh, Auxiliary Services marketing manager said.
“The residence halls and residential dining will still be open,” Kosh said. “Campus itself is not completely shutting down.”
Access to Wi-Fi, student health offerings, the Idaho Student Union Building, the Bruce M. Pitman Center and other resources will still be available, although hours may change, according to Kosh. Events will periodically be held by Vandals Dining, the Residence Hall Association, the VandalStore and the golf course, regardless of how many people return, Kosh said.
“We are not closing the residence halls,” Eckles said. “The students that live there can still remain living there.”
However, like a normal year, residence halls are closed for Winter Break starting Dec. 19, Eckles said. Students who need to stay over this break can create an agreement with housing to find a solution. Applications for Winter Break housing can be found on the “Apply for Housing” page on the UI website.
Eckles hopes students who stay off-campus after Fall Break will “keep on with their healthy behaviors.”
“Just because you’re away from campus doesn’t mean you shouldn’t engage in healthy decision making,” Eckles said.
Cody Roberts can be reached [email protected]