College Presidents Plot Pandemic Plans

American Council on Education: A survey of 310 college and university presidents has 53% saying "it is 'very likely' that their institution will resume in-person classes for at least some portion of the fall term ... Roughly one-third (31 percent) reported that it was 'somewhat likely' they would resume in-person classes this fall. Eleven percent said it was 'somewhat unlikely' (6 percent) or 'very unlikely' (5 percent) their institution would resume in-person classes this fall, while 5 percent said they were 'unsure' ... Just over half (51 percent) indicated that it was 'very likely' that their institution would resume on-campus housing for at least some portion of the fall term. Nearly 40 percent of presidents reported that it was 'somewhat likely'."

"Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of presidents with on-campus housing reported that their institution is currently planning to 'establish residential space on campus for individuals who test positive to quarantine.' About half reported that their institution is planning to 'require masks to be worn on campus' (53 percent) and 'provide PPE to faculty and staff' (48 percent). Approximately one-third reported that their institution is currently planning to 'require regular temperature screening for faculty and staff' (36 percent) and 'require regular temperature screening for students' (33 percent). About two-thirds reported that their institution is still deciding whether to 'require COVID-19 testing for faculty, staff, and students' before arriving back on campus."

"Only 12 percent of presidents reported that their institution is currently planning to 'subdivide the fall term into shorter modules,' 52 percent are still considering the action, and 36 percent are currently not planning to take the action ... More than half reported that their institution is currently planning to 'limit lab and studio class sizes to promote social distancing"' (61 percent), 'limit faculty and staff travel' (60 percent), 'limit general class sizes to promote social distancing' (60 percent), or 'limit student travel' (52 percent). Forty-three percent reported that their institution is currently planning to 'cancel all study abroad experiences,' 48 percent are still deciding whether to take this action, and 9 percent are currently not planning to take the action.​"