ASU, UArizona announce intention to resume in-person classes in fall

PHOENIX – Arizona State University and the University of Arizona announced Thursday they intend to resume in-person classes in August, with health safety measures in place as needed.

ASU’s fall semester starts Aug. 20, and UArizona’s starts Aug. 24.

“We know that students and families need to start making decisions about fall plans,” ASU spokeswoman Katie Paquet told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“So we wanted to communicate today that it is our intent to resume full, on-campus classes, barring any other recommendations otherwise from public health officials.”

Paquet said it was too early to say whether sports would return in fall, too.

The universities transitioned all classes to online formats in response to the spread of coronavirus in March.

Paquet said changes on campus would be based on recommendations from the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“There may be physical-distancing measures that need to be put into place, modifications to food service, testing protocols or, again, a requirement to wear some type of face covering,” she said.

“It’s too early to say exactly what will be necessary, but we will be prepared to implement whatever we need to do to provide a safe environment for students and staff.”

Paquet said students would be updated during the summer as protocols are developed.

UArizona President Robert Robbins said a COVID-19 testing program would be part of its plan for the fall.

“We are tackling what is within our control to ensure our students have the opportunity for a full on-campus experience,” he said in a press release.

ASU will offer 5,000 online courses this summer, many at reduced rates, with sessions starting May 18 and July 1.

Friday is the final day of spring classes for most ASU courses, with final exams scheduled for next week.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jeremy Foster contributed to this report.

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