Record number of students register for ASU summer school

PHOENIX — Arizona State University on Thursday reported a record number of enrollments for summer school amid the coronavirus outbreak.

More than 56,000 students have enrolled in the over 5,200 summer courses offered at the school this summer, and enrollment numbers are up over 16.5 % when compared to last year.

The university converted to online classes due to the virus on March 16, with instruction being provided through ASU Sync, ASU Online and ASU iCourses.

A few of these online classes have also been suited to cover aspects of the outbreak, including Pandemics and Public Management, Navigating Complicated Grief during COVID-19, and The Moviegoer’s Guide to the Future: Infectious Diseases.

While classes are being taught online this summer, the university is planning for a return to in-person instruction in the fall.

University President Michael Crow said on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show last week that the school is, “deep in the planning process right now” for a possible return in the fall and that the university will proceed with caution.

“We have to be ready to deal with whatever contingencies might come up,” he said.

A few courses that can’t be done sufficiently online are still being offered on campus this summer, however, with faculty and students having to adhere to safety measures like health screenings and wearing masks.

The university is using these few in-person classes as a way to asses and implements protocols for classes to resume on campus in the fall.

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