UA Says No Fall Break, Finals To Be Given Remotely

TUSCALOOSA, AL. — The University of Alabama announced on Wednesday that it will not observe Fall Break for students and final exams will be given remotely, along with a range of other changes to the academic calendar for the year to come.

The adjustments come after UA announced on Monday that 531 new COVID-19 cases had been identified on the Tuscaloosa campus over the previous few days — news that also prompted the city of Tuscaloosa to close all bars and limit bar service to restaurants at the urging of the university to combat the spread of the deadly virus.

UA also announced in-person classes will end on the Friday before Thanksgiving and classes will not be held Thanksgiving week. However, the university said classes will resume the following week in a remote capacity.

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In looking at the numbers with respect to the type of instruction, UA reported about 80% of students will have significant face-to-face instruction, with almost half being in-person. Others will receive instruction through hybrid delivery methods, such as rotating attendance

Patch previously reported that some classrooms have been outfitted with plexiglas dividers and other measures to protect students from coming in close contact with one another. UA says furniture has also been moved or removed from other classrooms to provide for proper social distancing.

Other changes mentioned by the university include an approach where all courses will have remote components to ensure academic continuity in the event of changes, sickness, isolation or quarantine requirements.