The country broke its record for daily new cases of the coronavirus last week. The resurgence is causing one university in Delaware to think twice about its fall plan.
DSU President Tony Allen said over livestream Tuesday he’s delaying his announcement about the University’s plan for fall semester until next week. He said the goal remains to bring as many students as is safely possible back to campus.
“I’m delaying because across the globe and in the country, particularly in the last seven to ten days, we have seen significant rises as it relates to COVID positive cases and related deaths,” said Allen. “We want to be very, very sensitive that we are thinking through every aspect of our plan. So I’ve asked my team to look back at our plan before we present it to the entire university community.”
DSU General Counsel LaKresha Moultrie noted several states are seeing setbacks to their reopening plans. Gov. John Carney has delayed Delaware’s Phase 3.
“Delaware’s curve’s not flattening,” said Moultrie. “There’s a positive slope, or increase in positives.”
Moultrie also notes the 18-24 age group in Delaware has the most lab-confirmed cases.
DSU Provost Saundra DeLauder says the school aims to hold as many courses as possible in a synchronous or a hybrid virtual and in-person format, as was recommended by a crisis management subgroup of faculty and administrators.
Allen says the school plans to cut out usual breaks in the fall and send students home at Thanksgiving. Students will be tested regularly while on campus.
The University of Delaware announced its plan last week. Their classes will also be a blend of in-person and online — with larger classes virtual. UD will start Sept. 1.