TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The State University System of Florida has approved guidelines for universities to create and submit their own, individual plans for reopening campuses on June 12.
The Board of Governors unanimously approved the 'State University System Blueprint for Reopening Campuses' during a Thursday meeting. The plan lays out guidelines for universities to follow in order to build their own, individual plans for reopening.
It will serve as a framework for individual universities to develop plans for the fall.
Among the things that will be required in universities' plans, State University System Chancellor Marshall Criser III said each school should have a COVID-19 testing plan to allow both students and staff to return in a "controlled, phased-in approach."
Criser said campuses should define a threshold of positive COVID-19 cases that, if exceeded, would force a return to more stringent social distancing and behavioral restrictions.
Universities are also encouraged to continue exploring alternative ways to deliver classes including hybrid combinations of face-to-face classes and online delivery. The Board is also asking universities to evaluate class sizes, course scheduling, and alternative options for those who may be at risk for serious illness from COVID-19.
University officials are also being tasked with emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility from students, faculty, staff, vendors and anyone else who comes in contact with the campus.
Following the plan's approval, universities will submit their plans to the Board of Governors on June 12 and present those plans during an in-person meeting at the University of Central Florida on June 23.
Campuses across the state have been closed since March and have been continuing operations via remote learning.
Twelve universities, including FAMU and FSU, comprise Florida's State University System. You can click here for more information on the State University System.
You can see slides from the State University System's meeting regarding reopening guidelines below:
