The University of Wyoming announced via an official communication that it would end it’s “pause” and return to the fall phased reopening plan, beginning with phase 2 restarting on Tuesday Sept. 15.
“The pause succeeded in allowing us to get a better handle on the testing data and in taking necessary actions to help limit transmission of the virus. Now, we’re ready to resume the phased return plan, with additional measures in place to keep the campus as safe as possible,” said UW President Ed Seidel in the official communication.
Phase 2 of the fall reopening plan allows for face-to-face instruction of freshman seminars as well as some pharmacy and graduate-level courses. This phase was originally meant to begin on Sept. 7 but was pushed back due to the “pause” at the time.
Phase 3 is meant to begin with a return to in-person courses and a partially reopened campus on Sept. 28.
With the pause now being ended, UW facilities like the library are able to return to their pre-pause hours of operation.
“For us to avoid another pause and proceed to the next phase on Sept. 28, everyone, on campus or off, must adhere to those measures and avoid large off-campus gatherings where distancing and/or face protection are not employed,” Seidel said.
“It is UW’s responsibility to take into consideration all our community members in the requests of everyone to wear face protection, maintain distancing and follow safe practices at off-campus gatherings.”
But not all students are as confident as President Seidel, such as junior Meredith Hoerman (Pronounced HER-MAN).
“I have doubts about the whole thing, like I don’t think we are going to make it back to in-person classes. I would be very very surprised if we ended up in the classroom. (UW) seems to panic every time a couple new cases pop up” Hoermann said.
As of the writing of this article, UW has 93 cases among its community, including 16 students living on-campus, and 64 students living off-campus.
“For us to be successful, UW’s infrastructure has to be kept healthy, and it takes everyone to achieve this at the highest level possible,” said Seidel.
