The University of Maine System is planning to return to “near pre-pandemic normalcy” this fall, meaning in-person classes, activities and more students in dorms.
Chancellor Dannel Malloy says that with about a quarter of university faculty already eligible for the vaccine, and additional supply expected in the coming months, the system is advising staff and students to expect to hold a vast majority of classes in-person come September.
“The announcement today is, with the vaccine, and the rapid acceptance of the vaccine, and the probability of a degree of the herd being vaccinated, or having survived COVID, that we can reasonably predict something that’s much more approaching normal,” he says.
The system says it expects to continue to offer some remote options, and is encouraging both staff and students to get vaccinated when eligible.
Malloy says because the vaccines have only been approved for emergency use, the system will not require vaccinations, but that could change if they get approved for regular use.
“If regular approval was granted, we would consider requiring that. Unless there was a specific reason that that would not be in the best interest of the individual,” he says.
Jim McClymer, the president of the Associated Faculties of the Universities of Maine, says that faculty had only just learned of the news, but he and others were eager to return to the classroom and were largely upbeat about the announcement.
McClymer says many questions will need to be answered before the fall, including the effects that COVID-19 variants could have on the spread of the virus.
“My concerns really are that, there are always some people who are allergic to a vaccine, and really can’t take it. How do we protect those people, either faculty, staff, or students?” he says. “And then, what kinds of social distancing, personal protection will we be using in the fall — still be spaced apart, still be wearing masks — or will the vaccine have made it safe enough that we can be more normal?”
Officials say the plan is still dependent on recommendations from civil authorities. The university system will continue to require masking, social distancing and other precautions through at least the spring.
University administrators expect more than 70% of learning experiences in the fall will be in-person. More than half of the courses this spring have been offered exclusively online. The University of Southern Maine is planning for about 95% occupancy in its dorms.
