MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (WXYZ) — Central Michigan University announced Monday it will start and end the fall 2020 semester two weeks early to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the flu.
Now, the semester will begin on Aug. 17 and conclude on Nov. 25.
"By moving up the start and conclusion of our fall semester, we seek to significantly reduce the number of students, faculty and staff returning to and from campus for the Thanksgiving holiday and through December," Davies said. "This reduces the likelihood of potential spread of infectious diseases like the flu and COVID-19 on our campus and in our community."
The university also will begin a phased move-in for residence halls and on-campus apartments on Aug. 13, with students moving in in waves.
According to CMU, fall events are also being reviewed.
University Provost Mary C. Schutten said a new model for class delivery will assist students who may struggle to move back to Mount Pleasant early, as well as help to ensure social distancing.
"We have implemented hybrid-flexible, or HyFlex, which provides students the option to attend classes face-to-face or online in a synchronous model, or both, to ensure less density in the classroom," she said.
CMU is also reviewing the spring 2021 semester schedule.
More information on changes to the fall schedule can be found on the Fall Semester Schedule Q&A.
Michigan State also made changes to its schedule, with students not coming back to campus as they go home for Thanksgiving break.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
