Gov. Brad Little’s decision to move Idaho back into a modified Stage 2 of Idaho Rebounds has no impact on University of Idaho’s final week of in-person classes, according to an email sent to students, staff and faculty today.
Like originally planned, all classes will move online after Fall Break and stay that way until the end of the semester. Campus itself, however, will remain open until December 18 with reduced staffing and hours in some offices and buildings. Here’s a brief rundown on what to expect for the rest of this semester.
COVID-19 testing is available by appointment November 18 and 19 for students leaving campus for Fall Break. Students who leave are encouraged not to return to campus until January, but those who do return should be tested for COVID-19 no sooner than six days after coming back. Instructions for these tests will be provided after the break.
After Fall Break, COVID-19 testing at the university will focus primarily on symptomatic students and employees, the email stated. Since there will not be surveillance testing until 2021, the university expects the COVID-19 positivity rate to increase over the next few weeks.
Faculty will still have access to classrooms, active research and regular work spaces for the rest of the semester, but are encouraged to work from home between November 23 and January 8. Staff statewide will be able to work from home in the same timeframe, if feasible, without filling out additional paperwork.
All offices must still be able to accommodate walk-ins, but rotating staff is an option. Faculty office hours must be online-only though.
Details about next semester are still in the works, so students, staff and faculty are encouraged to regularly check their university emails for updates.
Lex Miller can be reached at [email protected]
Audrey
Proud of our university for managing COVID so well