UGA hopes to reopen campuses for fall 2020 semester

April 2, 2020 Athens: Local residents Dan Haybery and Alexis Biaggi pause to take in an empty Sanford Stadium during a walk across the University of Georgia campus from their home in downtown Athens on Thursday, April 2, 2020. A mandatory shelter in place has been in effect in Athens-Clarke County long before many metro Atlanta towns took similar steps.  Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

April 2, 2020 Athens: Local residents Dan Haybery and Alexis Biaggi pause to take in an empty Sanford Stadium during a walk across the University of Georgia campus from their home in downtown Athens on Thursday, April 2, 2020. A mandatory shelter in place has been in effect in Athens-Clarke County long before many metro Atlanta towns took similar steps. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

University of Georgia President Jere Morehead said Wednesday he anticipates reopening its campuses, along with other schools in the University System of Georgia, for in-person instruction in August for the fall semester.

“We are anticipating a resumption of in-person instruction for the Fall Semester beginning in August 2020 for all USG institutions,” Morehead wrote in a message Wednesday morning to students, faculty and staff. “However, I would emphasize that this situation remains a fluid one, as the USG monitors developments related to COVID-19 and receives counsel from state public health officials. Guidance could be subject to change, even after our plans are put in place. We will need to remain flexible and patient as we move forward.”

UGA, the state's flagship university, has nearly 40,000 students. The university closed its campuses in March and went to virtual instruction in later that month to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Morehead wrote that UGA and the 25 other University System of Georgia institutions are working “to consider a staggered, phased-in approach that is appropriate for the unique needs of each campus in the coming weeks.” The University System has about 330,000 students.

UGA’s Maymester and Summer Semester will be conducted online, Morehead said.

Georgia College & State University President Steve Dorman said in a message to students, faculty and staff Wednesday he does not have specific timeline for in-person instruction, but the school has several teams working on various aspects of how the campus, located in MIlledgeville, would reopen.