Jan. 13, 2021: UCO to Temporarily Shift to Virtual Instruction Amid COVID-19 Surge

The University of Central Oklahoma will adjust campus operations for the start of the spring semester and temporarily shift most in-person classes to synchronous virtual delivery through Jan. 31 due to the surge in reported cases of COVID-19 and related hospitalizations and deaths in Oklahoma County. Classes for the spring semester are set to begin Jan. 19.

The temporary shift to virtual instruction will not include classes such as labs, clinicals and fine arts, which will continue in-person as scheduled. Faculty will contact students regarding specific arrangements for their classes. Online classes will continue as planned.

Campus facilities will remain open, including the library, campus housing, residential dining, Wellness Center and athletics locations. Most campus services will continue to offer in-person options, including enrollment, admissions and financial aid.

Central will also adjust working arrangements as needed to reduce campus density. Campus events of 25 people or less or those with administration approval may continue as planned with required COVID-19 protocols in place. Athletic competitions will continue, following Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association guidance, with no spectators.

Campus operations will be reassessed prior to Feb. 1 to consider a return to in-person classes. The university is encouraging students, faculty and staff to continue reporting COVID-19 exposures and positive test results as well as practicing mitigation measures, including wearing a face mask, washing hands and social distancing when around others on and off campus.

This temporary shift follows the university’s COVID-19 decision-making framework for campus operations adopted last year. UCO will continue to provide updates, as needed, as the situation is monitored and conditions change.

For more information, visit www.uco.edu/coronavirus.

Sarah Ward

At the Office of University Communications at the University of Central Oklahoma, we bleed bronze and blue — Pantone 116 and 282, to be exact. The University Communications staff of professionals promotes Central to the community through news releases, media relations, advertising, branding and marketing initiatives, publications and electronic media — and, of course, using the university's official colors (that's the Pantone 116 and 282). We believe the University of Central Oklahoma is a thriving, opportunity-rich institution located in one of the best metropolitan areas in the country with innovative students, faculty and staff who make a difference in our world. It is our pleasure to share the Central story with you.