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Miami University has announced that it will be resuming in-person and hybrid classes on campus beginning Monday, Sept. 21

Miami University has announced that it will be resuming in-person and hybrid classes on campus beginning Monday, Sept. 21, as planned. Residential students will continue their phased move-in during the week of Sept. 14. From Aug. 17-Sept. 20, classes have been offered entirely online.

“This decision was made after many lengthy discussions and consultation with public health experts,” said Miami University President Gregory Crawford. “The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff, as well as the Oxford community, is our top priority. This decision is an expression of faith and confidence in our students and is grounded in our belief that we can successfully weather this pandemic together.”

Miami University also announced today that it will be requiring students to be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival to campus, before moving into their residence halls.

The testing protocol for residential students joins a robust testing plan at Miami. In late August, the university launched a rigorous Covid-19 testing protocol. In addition to diagnostic testing of students who are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, the university also conducts wide-net and surveillance testing. This includes testing a random sampling of students who moved to the Oxford area as well as those who may have had contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. Additionally, the university partnered closely with Butler County General Health District to track positive test results for every Miami University student tested – not just those who had a test in the university’s Student Health Center. Throughout the semester, surveillance and wide-net testing will continue. This gives the campus community the most accurate picture of the pandemic’s effect on the university.

Testing is just one component of the university’s Healthy Together plan. All students, faculty, staff, and guests at the university are required to wear a face covering when indoors or outside where social distancing is not possible. The dining halls will provide to-go options with limited seating for socially distanced dining. Additionally, activities outside of the classroom with more than 10 participants will be canceled or moved to an online/virtual format.  

Further, Miami has taken steps to reduce density on campus. Under normal circumstances, half of Miami University undergraduate students live in the residence halls. To further reduce density on campus, residence hall occupancy has been reduced to approximately 60% of regular capacity to allow for a greater number of single-occupancy rooms. Overall campus density will be significantly less than normal with nearly half of classes continuing to be delivered online/remotely and many employees continuing to work from home.

Throughout the semester, university leaders will continue to monitor the pandemic’s impact on campus and will continue to transparently share the number of active cases on campus. Campus community members are encouraged to be diligent in their efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“I am confident in our students’ commitment and capacity to persevere,” said Crawford. “This will test our resolve as an institution, our leadership fortitude as individuals, our compassion and empathy, and our maturity and integrity. After four years at Miami University, I know this community will rise to the challenge.

To see more information about Miami University’s plans, visit www.miamioh.edu/coronavirus