UM planning for fall semester "face-to-face" learning

The University of Montana has announced they are working on plans for "face-to-face" instruction for the fall semester.

UM emailed all current students on Monday to let them know that they will "be back on campus this fall" for face-to-face instruction.

"On the UM campus, similar to others, we have groups that are working on what is the design of classes, of on-campus living, of on-campus services," Montana director of communications Paula Short told MTN News. "How do we take some mitigative measures around coronavirus? But also be able to resume again face-to-face learning? You know, there might be some hybrid models, but the gist of it is, our students, we are excited for them to be back on campus. We want them back on campus."

Students who have not yet completed their fall registration are being encouraged to do so, according to a Twitter post from UM.

The University of Montana emailed all current students today to let them know that we will be back on campus this fall for face-to-face instruction. Students who have not yet completed their fall registration are encouraged to do so! Academic advisors are standing by to help. pic.twitter.com/mblZDdKngw

— University of Montana (@umontana) May 18, 2020

The letter sent out by UM Vice Provost for Student Success Sarah Swager states UM "is working with various groups on campus to provide the safest environment possible."

"We're committed to being here for them when they get to campus," Short said. "We're working hard right now, again, to design that campus experience with coronavirus in mind and with the knowledge that we may have some operational adjustments to make. But we want to make sure that students know we miss them on campus and we look forward to having them back in the fall."

The Montana University System replaced in-class teaching with remote learning on March 23 due to COVID-19 concerns.

UM President Seth Bodnar has previously encouraged students to not ":put their lives on hold" right now, planning for not only fall classes, but also taking advantage of summer courses.