The University of Delaware plans to resume in-person classes this fall, hold graduation ceremonies this spring, and end a five month salary reduction for non-unionized employees.
UD President Dennis Assanis made the announcements Thursday.
He says, barring any setbacks, 95% of classes will be in person come the fall semester.
Assanis assures students, faculty, and staff that next school year will be a normal campus experience, and says that starts with bringing students back to campus.
"We should be able to return to face-to-face classes this fall at both our Main Campus as well as our Associates in Arts programs. This is big news," said Assanis. "As we look at the rollout of vaccines [and] as I said the decline in COVID cases, we anticipate a robust, safe fall semester with an easing of some of the public health restrictions."
He does say some larger classes will likely still be remote. Any plan will follow CDC and state guidelines.
Dining halls and student centers will also be open fully, and UD expects to add spaces where students can safely congregate outdoors.
Assanis also expects in-person commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2021 at Delaware Stadium on Friday May 28 and Saturday May 29. Graduating students will be divided into 3 to 4 groups allowing each graduate to invite two guests.
The Class of 2020’s commencement will be Sunday May 30 at Delaware Stadium. Their ceremony was cancelled last spring because of the pandemic.
Assanis notes UD anticipates its projected operating budget gap to shrink to $65 million, down from a possible $288 million With finances looking up, non-unionized employees will get money back.
"We are ending the 5% salary reduction that was applied university-wide for non-unionized employees back in November. In addition a lump sum payment equal to the total salary reduction will be issued to those who have been impacted over the past five months."
He adds through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, UD will disperse an additional $21 million directly to students. Undergrads who have filed a FAFSA form will receive at least $250 initially, and grad students will get $250 each
