BYU Studying Number Of Options For Fall Semester
May 14, 2020, 12:14 PM | Updated: 12:16 pm
Photo Courtesy of BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey
PROVO, Utah – Brigham Young University like many universities around the country is still sorting through options on how to handle classes for the fall semester amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, BYU provided an update regarding the fall semester stating a final decision may reach out as far as July.
BYU is currently studying a number of options for fall semester. Ideally, the university would like for all of its students, faculty and staff to be on campus learning together, and we are working on plans that we hope can make that happen in some form. (1/3)
— BYU (@BYU) May 14, 2020
BYU’s first priority must always be the health & safety of its campus community. For this reason, BYU leadership is working closely w/ state and county health officials as the university studies the possibility of holding classes on campus or continuing w/ remote learning. (2/3)
— BYU (@BYU) May 14, 2020
Given the uncertain conditions in Provo and elsewhere, BYU may not be able to make a final decision regarding fall semester until July. (3/3)
— BYU (@BYU) May 14, 2020
The faith-based institution is currently providing online teaching to students during the spring semester. Last month, the class of 2020 concluded their studies in an online setting.
BYU sent out a questionnaire to students who completed the winter semester in April and had intentions to return for the fall. The questions focused on their online learning experience and if that was something they would like to continue.
Impact on BYU Football and fall sports
NCAA President Mark Emmert has stated that sports will not happen if college students are not on campus. Now, Emmert has no control over conferences or individual athletic departments such as BYU’s. But that’s the stance the NCAA has taken. Same with the Pac-12 Conference.
BYU has not made such a public stance at the moment on how online classes could impact athletics being played this fall.
The school’s main conference affiliation is with the West Coast Conference where seven of the 10 member institutions reside in the state of California. A state that has had some of the most strict policies in efforts to move towards a new normal.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
