Kansas State is continuing to discuss plans for the upcoming semesters.
On Friday, K-State held a virtual town hall meeting. One big item on the agenda was an update on the plans for the upcoming semesters. Dr. Charles Taber, Kansas State Provost, says as they head into the 2021 calendar year and the upcoming semesters, they continue to plan as if they will be in Phase 3. He tells KMAN more about the approach for spring of 2021.
“We’ll continue to have COVID restrictions,” Taber says. “We’ll continue to require face coverings, six-foot social distancing in classrooms, reductions in class size, limitations on in-person events, and faculty using hybrid modes.”
Dr. Taber adds that with spring break being eliminated for this upcoming spring semester, they have been working implementing two well being days. He says the faculty senate has recently voted on a modification of that proposal.
“We will have one well-being day, and there’s also a recommendation from faculty senate, which I endorse, that faculty provide grace to students in their classes by considering giving them an additional day off within your class at a time that works with the timing in your class,” Dr. Taber says.
During the meeting, they also discussed how to mitigate the spread of the virus as students return to Manhattan after the holiday break. Lafene Medical Director, Dr. Kyle Goerl, says one big step they are taking is to encourage more participation in the asymptomatic testing in the spring to catch cases sooner.
“We will be doing some remote testing sites,” Dr. Goerl adds. “Probably dining facilities like Kramer, Derby, potentially the Union, and then within Greek housing as well, during the spring semester.”
President Richard Myers adds that helping to stop the spread when the students return, also falls partially on the responsibility of the community.
“We will continue to work with our community partners to make sure they are following the protocols that will stop the spread,” President Myers says. “They saw what happened last time, they ought to be concerned about that.”
Classes for the spring 2021 semester are set to begin on January 25th.
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