TAMPA BAY, Fla. — As the University of Tampa reopens to students on August 26, students will notice changes around campus and to the social experience of college.
Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students Stephanie Russell Krebs says measures are already in place to ensure a safe return for students, teachers and staff.
“Some spaces that wouldn’t typically be used for the classroom. So, a ballroom might be used for a classroom. There’s a class section that has 30 students in it meeting Monday and Wednesday, maybe half the class would meet on Monday and then the other half would meet on Wednesday with virtually the others meeting other days,” says Russell Krebs.
Social distancing, masks and sanitation will be key to university officials as campus reopens.
Abigail Byrne, Student Government President, says, “It’s definitely going to be a big cultural change.”
Students, faculty and staff are being highly encouraged to follow rules and the University has a plan if rules are not being followed.
“If a student is found at a large social gathering they will be required to quarantine and can’t return to class. So make the choice to do the right thing and not go to an event like that,” Byrne says.
If a student tests positive, the school will have a health and safety task force on campus.
Rapid Trace, a local contract tracing company from St. Petersburg, will help to track students, faculty and staff that have been infected with the virus, which will help mitigate the spread.
For more information about the Fall 2020 semester, visit UT.edu/fall2020.
