Planning for Fall Classes Already Underway at NU Campuses
By Jack Williams, Managing Editor and Reporter Nebraska Public Media News
April 27, 2020, 3:15 p.m. ·


Officials at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say they’ll use the next few months to ensure a smooth re-opening of the campus in the fall. Late last week, the University of Nebraska system announced it will re-open for in-person instruction at all of its campuses starting in August.
“I don’t any of us think that we’re going to be returning to what normal was before the spring of this year anytime soon,” said UNL’s chief communications and marketing officer Deb Fiddelke. “To have a sense that things are going to return to some new normal or just some semblance of a less-restrictive life that can still be safe I think is a welcome sign for everyone.”
Fiddelke says enrollment in summer classes at UNL has actually gone up as students look to take advantage of lower tuition rates. Classes in the fall as set to begin on August 24th.
At the University of Nebraska-Kearney, officials are planning for social distancing guidelines that could change traditional classroom learning for the 6,500 students there.
“Maybe only partially filling our residence halls, creating more spacing in the residence halls to allow for proper distancing between students and our staff,” UNK spokesman Todd Gottula said. “I think you will see us increase our use on online learning that will help reduce some of the crowds and density in classrooms.”
Finals at UNK are set for next week. Summer classes will continue under the remote learning scenario.