South Florida colleges will not be delayed in resuming classes despite the spike in omicron cases, however masks are required for some.
The omicron variant does not delay the return to campus of students from most South Florida universities.
They will be able to return for the spring semester as planned this week to Barry University, Broward College, Miami-Dade College, FAU, FIU, FMU and Nova.
Masks are required in some schools, but recommended in others.
However, the University of Miami will postpone the return to in-person learning until at least the end of the month, offering distance education during the first two weeks of the summer semester.
Remote learning begins January 18.
The University of Florida announced plans to temporarily go online, including several other schools. Duke University, American University, Georgetown University, Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Belmont University.
S t. David Armstrong, president of Thomas University, said the school’s Miami Gardens campus will be “fully” open to individual classes on January 10 to welcome students back.
“We are committed to personal education and full employment for people. [and] at the same time, make sure to keep the most sensitive ones safe and adhere to our protocols to make sure they’re exposed and keep everything to a minimum, ”Armstrong told Fox News Digital on Sunday.
“Personally, a complete college experience is the best for our students on a personal, social, healthy, physical, emotional and spiritual level.”
Armstrong noted that St. Thomas University has some advantages over large public schools, such as being in sunny Florida, where people can spend more time outdoors, and a relatively small population of about 1,800 undergraduate students.
“We have extremely dedicated people who want to give our students the full experience, and we are very diligent and vigilant in staying in touch and following protocols. That’s what it does, ”Armstrong said.
“We will make decisions based on what is best for our students to have a well-rounded college experience while keeping the most sensitive ones safe,” Armstrong said.
