Name: Some local universities changing course on fall plans to go all or mostly online
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Some local universities changing course on fall plans to go all or mostly online

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Posted: Jul 15, 2020 / 03:40 PM CDTUpdated: Aug 4, 2020 / 01:13 PM CDTAUSTIN (KXAN) — Some Central Texas universities that were planning for all in-person courses in the fall are now changing course due to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, and and order by the Austin-Travis County Health Authority saying K-12 school cannot open for in-person learning until after September 7.St. Edward’s University in south Austin just announced a change for its students and faculty, which includes a revised plan for the majority of classes to be online for the fall semester. As of two weeks ago, the university was still .President Dr. George Martin and other university leaders explained the changes in a live webinar for students Wednesday, saying the decision was a direct result of an increasing number of students asking for more flexibility.“We wanted to make sure that you were able to make your choice,” said Dr. Martin. “That you were able to choose a way to continue your education that was most satisfactory to you.”Incoming sophomore Nolan Screen was one of 900 people watching the webinar at noon.“Given the recent spikes in the Austin area I thought that was a good idea because I don’t see it going down anytime soon,” said Screen.St. Edward’s students still have the option to live on campus, which Screen did last year until COVID-19 hit. He’s still talking with his family about what to do this year.Huston-Tillotson University made the decision in June to go fully online for the fall semester. All campus buildings will be closed to students, including residence halls.“This decision comes after careful deliberation, consideration of several factors, listening sessions with campus constituents, guidance from local/county/state/federal/global public health authorities and scientific experts, garnering a comprehensive understanding of the increased vulnerabilities of the population we serve, researching the impacts of factors specific and unique to our campus, and continuously monitoring the number of reported coronavirus cases throughout Texas –&nbsp; specifically Travis County,” wrote President Colette Pierce Burnette in an email to students.The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University both tell KXAN they are continuing to plan for a hybrid opening, which means students can choose in-person courses or go all online.“UT is committed to keeping the campus community healthy while fulfilling our teaching and research missions and we continue to work with our state and local partners as we continually modify and refine our plans,” said Matt Pene, UT Media Relations Manager.Southwestern University in Georgetown, which was , told KXAN Wednesday via email the university is in discussions about fall plans in light of the uptick in infection rates in Texas, and the recent announcements by local K-12 school districts to go fully virtual at the start of the school year.Concordia University was one of the early adopters of a hybrid model, allowing students to choose either in-person or remote instruction.When it comes to financial relief for universities hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Higher Education Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation, and Trellis Foundation announced that the Texas Emergency Aid Grant Program, launched at the end of April, has awarded 57 grants to Texas higher education institutions.Huston-Tillotson University is the only local school on the list so far, which includes 29 community colleges, 16 public universities, and 12 independent, non-profit Texas institutions. The grants, totaling $710,000, support students across every region of the state during the COVID-19 crisis.Thanks for signing up!Watch for us in your inbox.Subscribe NowThanks for signing up!Watch for us in your inbox.Subscribe Now✕× Close Ad

Posted: Jul 15, 2020 / 03:40 PM CDTUpdated: Aug 4, 2020 / 01:13 PM CDTAUSTIN (KXAN) — Some Central Texas universities that were planning for all in-person courses in the fall are now changing course due to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, and and order by the Austin-Travis County Health Authority saying K-12 school cannot open for in-person learning until after September 7.St. Edward’s University in south Austin just announced a change for its students and faculty, which includes a revised plan for the majority of classes to be online for the fall semester. As of two weeks ago, the...

Some local universities changing course on fall plans to go all or mostly online

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