The University of Nevada, Reno continues to prepare for the upcoming fall semester.
When students and staff walk onto campus, they'll notice quite a few changes.
Signage is placed throughout campus, reminding students of COVID-19 practices and social distancing protocol. The ground is marked with sidewalk stripes and wolf paws to direct traffic flow.
Hand sanitizer stations are placed at entrances and inside buildings. 500 acrylic barriers were also added throughout areas where there are in-person, face-to-face interactions. Staff will be cleaning high-touched areas, and of course face coverings are on campus.
Many students will be able to take remote classes that will help limit the amount of people in classrooms, and allow room for social distancing.
"Smaller classes will be in what we call a High Flex Mode, which will be partially in person." said Kevin Carman, UNR's Executive Vice President and Provost.
Provost Carman says students will be able to work from a classroom on some days, and they will also be able to work remotely on other days.
"Laboratory classes will be taught in classes, with social distancing, but the larger classes will be delivered entirely online." said Provost Carman.
Carman also says plans are flexible depending on the governor's direction, "We've turned in our plans to the Nevada System of Higher Education and it includes everything from going back to completely online, which we certainly don't hope to do or expect to do."
UNR officials say educating students and staff about the importance of health and safety is the most important aspect of limiting the spread of the coronavirus.
Denise Baclawski UNR's Senior Director of Facilities Services said, "I think it's important for everybody to understand there's an element of personal responsibility. I mean, we could do all of these initiatives that we talked about, but if people aren't willing to wear face coverings, wash their hands a lot, and maintain social distancing, they're not going to be as effective as they could be."
"A big part of our job is to just do the right messaging and make people aware of what we're doing and why we're doing it." said Provost Carman. "I'm optimistic that actually all of our students and staff are going to do what they need to do."
To read UNR's 2020 fall reopening plans you can click here.
