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Update to Fall semester planning

Update to Fall semester planning

The university shared the following communication June 30.
Campus & Community

June 30, 2020 at 11:15am

Dear members of the university community: 

Since our Panthers Protecting Panthers plan was approved by the Board of Governors last week, there have been many questions regarding the fall semester at FIU. Below are answers you may find useful. Please keep in mind that we are living through an unprecedented and evolving situation. Our plan is a living document that adapts to the everchanging reality we are experiencing. 

However, there are several key factors to be aware of.  

COVID-19 cases

Currently, the number of new cases in South Florida is at an all-time high. High numbers of young people are testing positive for COVID-19 and remain asymptomatic. 

As of today, there have been 43 student confirmed cases, eight of which are new this week. These numbers include students that are remote as well as those that reside on campus. Per our plan, students that reside on campus and test positive will remain in isolation on campus until they test negative and are receiving support from the university. 

In the last two weeks, 10 employees have tested positive for COVID-19; five were working on campus and are now in isolation. We have had a total of 25 employees who have tested positive since March.

In each of these instances, contact tracing was conducted to minimize risk of exposure to the university community.  

In an effort to contain the spread of the disease as we begin to take steps toward more activity on campus, FIU will provide free masks to faculty, staff and students. Stay tuned for additional details.

Class availability

Approximately one third of all fall classes will be offered face-to-face or hybrid. The other two thirds of classes will be fully remote or online. Here are additional details on ways classes will be offered.

Starting July 1, students can log in to my.fiu.edu to check their class schedule and see updated information on how classes are being offered. Please continue to check the class schedule, as changes may be made up until the time classes begin. It is also important to note that as usual, there is a fee associated with online classes but not with remote classes. 

Face-to-face classes

Rooms for classes that meet on campus are being reconfigured so that physical distancing of 6 feet can be observed in all classrooms and labs. The typical face-to-face class this fall will enroll about 20 students and everyone is required to wear face coverings during class and while on campus.

Faculty have designed classes so that they can be taught remotely. However, students who sign up for face-to-face classes are expected to attend class on campus. Should a student or the faculty member need to quarantine during the semester, remote accommodations will be made. 

Panthers Protecting Panthers Campus rules

For those who come to campus:

  • All students, faculty and staff will be required to fill out a screening questionnaire on an app FIU has developed (P3) each day prior to coming onto campus. The app will be used as a tool to educate our FIU community on COVID-19. Please stay tuned for more information.
  • Everyone must wear face coverings at all times while on campus and maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet from another person, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
  • Frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizers is encouraged. 

Testing and contact tracing will be widely available. All common spaces on campus are being evaluated and reconfigured to promote physical distancing.  

On-campus residents

Student Housing is planning to welcome students this fall. On-campus residents will need to observe the basic guidelines of physical distancing, wearing face coverings and using the P3 app daily.

Given the configuration of student housing at FIU, most bedrooms house a single student, and all suites hold a maximum of four students with a shared bathroom. The plan is for all housing buildings to be occupied, with the exception of two buildings in University Apartments, which are set aside to isolate residents who test positive for COVID-19.

Resident students can expect that lounges and other common areas will be closed and events will be virtual. Move-ins will be only by appointment, and students will be able to request an appointment starting on July 6. Appointments will be spread out over 10 days to avoid many students moving in simultaneously. For more details please visit the Moving in page. 

Please continue to check our coronavirus website for updates. 

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these unprecedented times.