University of Arizona Provost Liesl Folks sent an email Monday afternoon explaining a staged introduction for in-person instruction for the fall semester. 

President Robert C. Robbins previously shared four instruction methods for the fall semester in an email to the UA community: in-person, flex in-person, live online and iCourse. Robbins discussed the details of flex in-person, live online and iCourse in a reentry press conference, but did not give details regarding in-person instruction. 

RELATED: Campus reentry update: UA president officially announces return to campus

Folks called the staged launch for in-person instruction a “slow ramp approach” to respond to COVID-19 in the community. Local COVID-19 trends, such as new local cases and health care center capacity, will be monitored before progressing to a new stage. 

“We will monitor these conditions closely and will communicate on a weekly basis the shifts between stages,” Folks said. “Shifts between these stages will be announced to you with at least one-week notice, to allow time for campus communications and adjustments by instructors as needed.”

Stage one: essential in-person and outdoor instruction on campus

Stage one, beginning Aug. 24, is the introduction of essential in-person and outdoor instruction on campus. 

“Essential In-Person courses will be determined by academic department and may include laboratory classes, studios and performer courses, as well as medicine, veterinary medicine and pharmacy courses, and some specialized small-cohort courses,” Folks said. 

Folks said each department will notify the Registrar which courses are considered essential in-person, which will then be reflected in online class schedules. Other in-person and flex in-person classes not considered essential will be held remotely during stage one. 

Stage two: essential in-person and outdoor instruction, plus small in-person courses on campus

Stage two will introduce in-person and flex in-person classes capped at 30 students. All other in-person or flex in-person classes will continue to be remote during stage two.

Stage three: larger in-person classes on campus

Provided that stage two is successful, larger classes will be reintroduced. 

“During all stages, planned main campus supports for students will be in operation, including selected library spaces and services, the Student Union’s food services, and the Bookstore,” Folks said. ”The Recreation Center will provide a range of services to ensure students can safely remain active.”

Folks said student support, such as advising, counseling, career development, tutoring, supplemental instruction and cultural centers will remain remote. 

“Our ability to deliver in-person instruction is strongly dependent on each and every Wildcat adhering to good public health practices—reducing the number of in-person interactions we have each day, wearing a face covering, physically distancing, and by following good personal hygiene and disinfectant routines,” Folks said. ”By developing a culture of compliance with these fundamental tenets of public health, Wildcats can be the model for others to follow.”

Students will receive more information once departments have communicated with the Registrar. 

*Editor’s Note: As of the Aug. 6 reentry press conference, the amount of time between each reentry phase has increased. To find out more about this decision, read the Aug. 6 reentry update. 

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