UW-River Falls: 'We're opening on campus'

The Brillion News

RIVER FALLS - In a statement issued on Thursday, May 14, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls said that 'to the greatest extent possible, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls intends to return to in-person classes this fall."

Hundreds of college and universities across the country are facing a time-sensitive decision on their approach to course delivery for fall semester.

Concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic forced all UW System campuses, including River Falls, to shift its courses online in mid-March through the end of the spring semester.

The UWRF said it will follow city, county, state and federal guidelines in decisions regarding class size, health and safety protocols, campus living and dining and protections for vulnerable students, faculty and employees as the fall semester opens.

The university’s fall 2020 "back-to-class" plan will also be subject to approval by the Pierce and St. Croix County public health departments.

Because the COVID-19 pandemic remains a fluid situation, the UWRF said it will be prepared to modify plans to accommodate needs of students and instructors as the pandemic evolves. Formal decisions regarding plans for fall semester are not expected until early July.

To accommodate the hundreds of new students who’ve been admitted and registered for fall semester, UWRF said it has developed a virtual orientation which will serve to help them acclimate to campus and explore university resources.

UWRF had 6,006 students enrolled for the 2019-2020 academic year. It is known for its academic offerings in agriculture, music, teacher preparation and journalism.