In-person classes will resume for the fall 2020 semester at Kansas State University, but the start and end dates will be moved up one week.
Under the adjusted academic calendar, the first day of classes will be Monday, Aug. 17. The last day of classes will be Friday, Dec. 4, with finals week from Dec. 7-11.
The university says the semester will conclude for in-person instruction on Nov. 20, ahead of the Thanksgiving break. Following the break, the final two weeks of the semester, including final exams will be completed using distance methods.
K-State Provost Charles Taber says the idea is reducing the amount of students traveling in such a short period, to help reduce the risk of spreading illness.
The university also says it anticipates moving the commencement ceremonies, scheduled for Dec. 11 and 12 to an earlier, yet to be announced date.
K-State plans to announce specific guidelines in the coming weeks in terms of how in-person classes will be conducted, based on guidance from state and local health officials as well as the university’s COVID-19 working groups.
Taber says full operations on campus will also include limiting densities in indoor areas, including classrooms, and the continued use of social distancing, face masks and appropriate hygiene practices. Methods for teaching and learning approaches for in-person and distance methods continue to be developed.
