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UW Makes Preliminary Plans for Fall Semester

February 15, 2021: The University of Wyoming is making plans for a fall 2021 semester with more in-person experiences and fewer restrictions related to COVID-19, contingent upon vaccine availability and acceptance, along with continued downward trends in infection numbers.

With UW faculty and staff members, as well as students living in residence halls, slated to have the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as part of Phase 1c of the Wyoming Department of Health’s vaccination guidelines, university leaders are optimistic for a more traditional semester in the fall. Additionally, there are indications all students may have access to the vaccine by late summer.

Under the plan, UW faculty and staff members would need to have access to the vaccine at least six weeks ahead of the scheduled Aug. 23 start of the fall semester in order for the semester to proceed with face-to-face classes at maximum capacity, face-to-face student engagement programs, in-person athletics experiences and the like. Additionally, relaxation of Wyoming Department of Health rules and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding gatherings and classroom capacity will be necessary. Vaccine efficacy and acceptance -- at this point, at least 70 percent of members of the UW community will need to be vaccinated to achieve necessary levels of immunity -- also will be taken into account, along with COVID-19 infection numbers.

University leaders expect to have enough information on those matters in early June to make a final determination on the approach to the fall semester.