June 22, 2020: Fall 2020 Class Instruction and Tuition Plans

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Central Oklahoma has sought ways to continue classroom instruction while also preventing and slowing the spread of the virus. Incorporating feedback from the faculty and colleges, the university has drafted a working plan for the fall 2020 semester that will allow the university to resume in-person classes with physical distancing while also offering alternative delivery for students who may not be comfortable returning for in-person instruction. This plan is designed to provide students flexibility to continue the pursuit of their degree.

Fall 2020 Class Instruction Plan

• The number of seats available in all in-person classes will be reduced to allow for physical distancing. Additionally, spaces in facilities such as the Nigh University Center will be used for classes to accommodate distancing;
• Face masks will be required in classrooms, hallways and public spaces in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. The university will provide every student a UCO-branded cloth mask at the beginning of the semester and will have a limited supply of disposable masks available if a personal cloth mask is forgotten;
• Many classes that are being offered in-person will also have an extended classroom with virtual seats. Students who enroll in this section will join the in-person class remotely at the scheduled class time via a livestream. There is no additional fee for those who enroll for a seat in the extended classroom.
• The university continues to offer fully-developed 100% online classes that provide additional flexibility and convenience for accessing course work at times that are ideal for the student;
• The university will also use a variety of tactics to expand access, such as adding more yet smaller class sections and other alternative instructional delivery as appropriate for a particular class;
• Some classes originally planned for in-person instruction may be transitioned to alternative instructional delivery. No additional fee will be assessed for the change. Students already enrolled in these classes will receive a message regarding any change in class delivery; and,
• As previously announced, in-person classroom instruction will wrap up by Thanksgiving Break and Fall Break will be eliminated. Class activities for the university’s quiet week (Nov. 30-Dec. 4) and finals week (Dec. 7-11) will be conducted virtually. This is to help mitigate a projected spike in the virus with the onset of cold and flu season and to help prevent the spread of the virus by reducing the time people are around each other after Thanksgiving travel.

Tuition to Remain Flat

We also understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought increased financial hardship to many of our students and their families. UCO will submit a budget to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education later this month that does not increase tuition for students for the 2020-21 academic year. There will be a small increase of $2.15 per credit hour in the technology fee. This increase will help the university continue to adapt to changes and advance the quality of the educational experience at Central on campus and online. For a student taking 12 hours in a semester, they would see a $25.80 total increase.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving situation that continues to challenge us in new ways. We meet these challenges through the creativity, adaptability and dedication of our faculty, staff and students. The fall 2020 class instruction plan is one piece of a larger fall reopening plan that is currently being developed and will be released in the coming weeks. We are communicating the details for class instruction this fall to enable our students to begin enrolling in the options with which they are most comfortable. For assistance enrolling, contact your academic advisor by emailing advisement@uco.edu.

Class Schedule