This story may be updated as more universities announce spring plans.
With fall final exams less than a month away, San Antonio’s colleges and universities have begun enrolling students for the spring semester.
To help reduce the risk of exposure to the virus caused by holiday travel, several area colleges are finishing the fall semester virtually after the Thanksgiving break.
The spring semester will look much like the fall for most Bexar County higher education institutions, with the same procedures in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
Here’s a rundown of their plans, and the protocols in place that would trigger increased restrictions.
Alamo Colleges
The Alamo Colleges District is slightly increasing the number of courses offered face-to-face this spring, with a goal of bringing 25% of students and faculty on campus.
The community college system limited in-person instruction to 10% of students this fall, primarily students in certification courses with hands-on requirements.
Temperature checks and masks will be required for everyone on campus, and student healthcare service will be provided virtually through UT Health San Antonio Wellness 360.
After Thanksgiving, the Alamo Colleges will move to their Level 5 “Stay Home, Work Safe” mode for the rest of the fall semester, then move to Level 3, with up to 25% in person for the spring semester starting Jan. 19.
Alamo Colleges Return to Learn Plan
University of Texas at San Antonio
Like the Alamo Colleges, UTSA will move to remote operations after Thanksgiving. It’s spring courses will be about 95% online, as they are now for the fall semester.
UTSA Operations Plan Post-Thanksgiving
UTSA COVID-19 Testing and Case Count
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
A&M-San Antonio’s spring semester will follow the same plan as the fall semester, with about 70% of courses online, 20% partly online and partly in-person, and 10% of courses completely face-to-face.
A&M-San Antonio Community Safety Together Plan
A&M-San Antonio COVID-19 Case Count
Trinity University
Trinity University will move to virtual instruction after Thanksgiving break. It has also canceled spring break during the spring semester.
University of the Incarnate Word
UIW will also move lessons online after Thanksgiving, including final exams.
Lecture courses for the spring semester will be online, and labs and performance courses will be in person with safety protocols in place. The university has not canceled spring break.
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