PORTLAND, Ore. — Update: Instead of a hybrid approach to instruction, University President Rev. Mark L. Poorman announced Thursday that almost all classes will be taught online beginning Aug. 24 for the fall 2020 semester. He said the school is hopeful that in-person classes will return for the spring semester. Read the announcement
Original story below:
The University of Portland plans to open its fall semester on Aug. 17, with in-person classes scheduled to begin on Aug. 24.
The Catholic university will eliminate its traditional fall break in October, finish all in-person classes for the semester on Nov. 25, and students will take final exams online.
“In addition to these changes to the academic calendar, we will also have to make modifications to the campus experience. We will adhere to strict health and safety protocols, including social distancing; de-densification of residence halls, academic buildings, and other campus spaces; testing; contact tracing; frequent cleaning; and the wearing of face masks,” said University President, Rev. Mark Poorman.
“We will prepare for the potential need to isolate or quarantine residential students who test positive or may have been exposed to COVID-19. Health and safety protocols for faculty and staff will also be implemented.”
Other Oregon universities, including Oregon State University, the University of Oregon and George Fox University have also announced their intentions to have in-person classes this fall.
“There are many variables still beyond our control, including directives from local, state, and national health authorities that could potentially cause us to reconsider our plans,” said Poorman in a news release Tuesday. “But we shall proceed in a spirit of hope that, with current positive trends around testing and treatment, as well as the ingenuity and determination of many across campus, we will be able to safely resume University operations.”
