EAST LANSING, MI — Michigan State University President Samuel L. Stanley has established the COVID-19 Reopening Campus Task Force to develop and review scenarios for when and how to resume on-campus activities.

The task force had its first meeting April 23 and will continue to meet on a regular basis going forward, according to a university news release.

“For the health and safety of all our Spartans, it is important we get this right,” said task force co-chairman David Weismantel. “This process must be strategic, comprehensive and take into account the wide range of possible scenarios that could play out as we move forward. We are on the virus’ timeline, however, that does not mean we should wait for it to start our planning for how and when to re-engage sections of our university in on-campus activities.”

Stanley is taking a health and safety approach for how to re-introduce large groups to campus, Weismantel said. According to the release, the comprehensive re-opening strategy will include:

Guiding principles for determining when and how to return to on-campus activities safely.

Criteria to determine the ability of the university to return to some or all on-campus activities safely.

Guidelines and protocols for units to follow as on-campus activities return.

List of decisions that apply university-wide and those that can be made at the unit level.

Activity plans for returning to on-campus activity.

Norman Beauchamp, executive vice president of health sciences at MSU, is the group’s other co-chairman.

MSU moved classes online March 11 because of a potential coronavirus case on campus. The university has since moved summer courses online and suspended some summer programs, and Stanley said MSU is “working on a plan” to be prepared to be online again.

Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson also said WSU is planning for online classes, but UM President Mark Schlissel said he’s hoping to have a “public health informed” fall semester.

Michigan State, Wayne State planning for online fall classes. University of Michigan still hopeful to be back

COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.

Read more Michigan coronavirus coverage here

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