Arkansas State University plans to resume in-person classes this fall

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — The Arkansas State University System announced Monday that it intends to return to in-person classes on campus this fall.

System President Chuck Welch said guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arkansas Department of Health will be used to help formulate a plan to reopen. That plan includes opening residence halls.

“Safety measures for fall classes that we develop in the next few weeks may be very different by August,” Welch said. “We don’t want to rush with a definitive plan now knowing state and federal guidelines are being changed in phases."

Those plans will also focus on health and safety measures for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors, according to the president.

Welch went on to say that although he doesn't expect campus to be completely back to normal by the fall, he wants to ensure that students have the best possible experiences while on campus.

Arkansas State University transitioned to online classes in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.