The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University both announced changes on Tuesday to their academic calendars in an effort to avoid another possible surge in COVID-19 cases due to student travel.
The start date for the spring 2021 semester has been pushed back one week for OSU and the OU Norman campus, including Norman campus programs in Tulsa. Both schools have also cancelled spring break for next year.
In addition, the OU Norman campus is moving classes entirely online after Thanksgiving break through the end of the fall 2020 semester. Norman campus programs offered at OU-Tulsa are also included in this schedule change. All university facilities—including housing and library services as well as research operations—will stay open.
OU President Joseph Harroz said this is an effort to reduce the COVID-19 infection risk associated with travel and possibly bringing it back to campus. He also said this change aims to protect the greater Norman area from issues that could be exacerbated by the flu season.
OSU and the OU Norman campus expect to still finish the spring 2021 semester on schedule.
As of now, the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters are continuing as planned for OU Health Sciences Center programs in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
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