University of Hawaii President David Lassner has announced that in-person classes will resume on all 10 UH campuses for the Fall Semester, starting August 24, 2020. He said in a Monday press conference that all online classes, as is happening now, is not the college experience he wants for students.
Lassner said in a message posted to all 10 campuses, “We all realize that the fall will absolutely not be a return to business as usual. There is still great uncertainty, but plans for the State are now taking shape and we have ourselves learned much over the last two months. Now, more than ever, the people of Hawaiʻi need the opportunity to affordably engage in higher education to advance their careers and their lives.”
Lassner said there will be more online classes and other resources, and some classes will be a mix of on-campus and online instruction. He said the physical spaces on campuses, labs, and study areas to allow distances of at least 6 feet between people. He also said there will be provisions for regular hand cleaning and hygiene.
Lassner said plans are being developed for protocols for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and quarantine as needed in collaboration with public health officials.
Student residence hall capacity will be available at UH Mānoa and UH Hilo for those students who choose to live on-campus. Isolation and social distancing protocols will be put in place based on the guidance available. He said both campuses will abide by all quarantine rules for any students coming in from other islands, the mainland, or international destinations. If necessary to accommodate students who need quarantine, Lassner said the University has agreements with hotels to be used as an overflow.
Lassner said if there is a resurgence of COVID-19, UH will be prepared to quickly move to all online learning as had to happen this spring.
Regarding sports, he said the UH teams are either part of the Mountain West or the Big West leagues, so schedule intercollegiate play will have to be a joint decision if they can keep student athletes and fans safe.
In an interview aired April 20, 2020 by New West Broadcasting’s Sherry Bracken with UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin, she talked about the challenges of online learning and how UH Hilo is helping teachers and students work through the issues, and what she and her team are working on for Fall. Click here for that interview.