Reopening universities.

Byline: Faisal Bari

WILL universities be able to allow all students to be physically present on campuses for the coming semester? Will they go online? Or will they offer a hybrid mode of instruction, in which some students and classes are online and others are on campus? There is a lot of debate around this issue all over the world. Opening universities when a vaccine for Covid-19 is still not available is a difficult decision and one that cannot be taken lightly. Universities will offer classes - that much is clear - in one format or another; which particular format is employed is where the debate lies.

Some universities have already decided and announced their mitigation plans. The University of Cambridge has announced that all lectures are going to be held online, but that small classes and discussions can take place in person. Since Cambridge uses the tutorial method for most of its teaching, ie using small groups, and the university does not require attendance at lectures, this might not mean a big change in teaching. We still do not know the policies on hostels and housing, and if international students are going to work from home or be in Cambridge. The California State University system, with its 23 campuses, is also going to be largely online.

A lot of small colleges and universities in the US have announced that they are going to have an in-person fall semester. It is not just about education in this case; many small colleges fear enrolment declines if they go online and they do not have the financial resources to take tuition and other income cuts. If they do not open for in-person classes, they might be in a lot of financial trouble. But many of them are talking of enacting lots of standard operating procedures as they reopen for an in-person semester in the fall. These rules and procedures will apply not only to classes but to dorms and other on-campus activities as well. In addition, these colleges are promising good healthcare provision, which will allow for adequate testing, contact tracing, and follow up and isolation possibilities as well.

A lot of large universities are still in the process of deciding. What is clear, though, is that even the ones who are deciding in favour of in-person semesters will be offering online alternatives for their students, at least for the coming semester, if not longer. Purdue University, one of the bigger ones to have opted for an in-person fall semester, have said that they will be...