Oregon State University said Thursday that it’s still on track to offer most classes in-person this fall.
The school originally made the announcement during a Board of Trustees meeting in January. But at the time, officials said it would ultimately depend on a successful rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
OSU President F. King Alexander said Thursday that an increase in vaccine production and distribution made him more confident that the university can offer a more traditional campus experience in the fall.
“The significant increase in COVID-19 vaccine production on a national level and Gov. Kate Brown’s recent announcement detailing the distribution of vaccines among all Oregonians, including within higher education, are very good news,” Alexander said in a press release. “These developments provide me with the confidence that we are on our way back to a more traditional fall term with predominately in-person instruction, on-site research, engagement and extracurricular programs and activities at our locations throughout the state.”
Like most higher education institutions in Oregon, OSU has offered very few classes on campus over the past year as part of the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The university said it will continue to comply with local, state and federal health mandates, which could include physical distancing and mask wearing.
