University System of Georgia presidents endorse return to in-person classes

ATLANTA — Georgia’s public college and university presidents are fully onboard with plans to open campuses to in-person instruction during the upcoming fall semester.

That’s the sentiment expressed in a recent letter to the University System of Georgia Board of Regents signed by the presidents of 24 of the system’s 26 campuses.

“Resuming in-person classes this fall will be a difficult but important task, and it is one we are committed to achieving, as it serves the best interests of our students and the state of Georgia,” the letter stated. “The campus experience is an essential part of the educational growth that is critical for the overall success of our students.”

The letter comes as some K-12 school systems in Georgia are choosing to stick with online classes only this fall as a way to discourage the spread of COVID-19.

The largest school district in the state, Gwinnett County Public Schools, announced Monday that it would open Aug. 12 with online-only instruction. Atlanta Public Schools made the same decision earlier this month.

Other K-12 school systems are going with a hybrid of in-person and online classes to start the fall semester.

The university system transitioned to online-only instruction during late March and early April as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in Georgia. An analysis completed early last month found the conversion went smoothly, and the system stuck with online courses during the summer semester.

However, since early April, system Chancellor Steve Wrigley and the regents have been developing plans to bring back in-person classes this fall.