UCF plans to fill fall classes, require masks
University hopes to offer vaccine to students, employees
“We are hopeful for a return to something closer to normal, even though the pandemic will be part of our reality for some time.” Michael Johnson, UCF interim provost
The University of Central Florida plans to return to mostly normal operations this fall, with most classes held on campus and at full capacity, though some protocol intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is expected to remain in place.
UCF likely will still require masks and continue cleaning common areas frequently and hopes to make the vaccine available to students and employees on campus, according to a message from interim provost Michael Johnson posted Monday to the university’s website. UCF’s campus was mostly shuttered for about five months last year, and classrooms and residence halls have been open at reduced capacity since August.
During the past year, Johnson noted, the university has learned to “live with the pandemic and adopt new behaviors to minimize its spread.”
“And with the mass availability of many effective vaccines gaining momentum, we are hopeful for a return to something closer to normal, even though the pandemic will be part of our reality for some time,” he said in the message.
UCF is offering roughly 3,100 class sections on campus this spring, a little more than half the number offered during the spring 2020 semester before the university shifted to online-only instruction last March.
The university plans to increase the number of in-person course sections taught this summer, though classrooms and
“I would like to find out the vaccination plan UCF plans to follow before learning about the fall return personally. These announcements just create more stress and anxiety.”
Robert Cassanello, president of UCF’s chapter of United Faculty of Florida
other university facilities will continue to operate at reduced capacity and follow social distancing guidelines, Johnson said.
Many students have hoped for a return to typical campus life, though some faculty members and others have said they’re concerned about exposure to the virus in classrooms.
“It seems to me any announcement about a return to fall with restrictions lifted without a clear vaccination plan for all faculty, students, administrators and staff gives me pause,” said Robert Cassanello, president of UCF’s chapter of United Faculty of Florida, in an email to the Orlando Sentinel. “I would like to find out the vaccination plan UCF plans to follow before learning about the fall return personally. These announcements just create more stress and anxiety.”
While most university employees will return to campus, Johnson said, some may be allowed to continue working remotely. And while virus cases at UCF and the Orlando area have been dropping, Johnson said the university will continue to monitor public health conditions and the campus “will be prepared to rapidly pivot to more remote operations and classes at any time if necessary.”
The university also hopes to become a mass vaccination site as additional doses become available, Johnson said.
“It is likely that essential workers — including faculty and staff members — and eventually students will be able to receive vaccines at UCF,” he said.
Other Florida universities have also said they’re anticipating resuming typical operations in the fall. Leaders of Florida State University said in a statement posted to the school’s website last week that, after a virtual orientation this summer for firstyear and transfer students, courses designed for in-person instruction will be taught that way starting this fall.
However, they cautioned, “the pandemic has been unpredictable, and our plans are subject to change.”