Updated June 1, 2o20, 5:00 p.m.
USHE Institutional Plans for Fall Semester:
Updated: May 27, 2020, 12:30 p.m.
USHE releases path for welcoming students back to campus for fall 2020
Individual public colleges and universities to release localized fall semester plans in the coming days
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah System of Higher Education COVID-19 Higher Education Task Force released a plan today outlining a path for Utah public colleges and universities to resume onsite operations for the fall 2020 semester amid COVID-19 uncertainty.
Utah colleges and universities have been largely operating remotely since the mid-March transition to online instruction. On-campus activity was significantly reduced, and Utah colleges and universities canceled or postponed end of year activities and events as part of their efforts to keep their campus communities as safe as possible.
In collaboration with state and local leaders, public health departments, and education experts, the Utah System of Higher Education developed a set of “gating conditions” to define a path allowing colleges and universities to bring students back to campus in person and resume many campus operations for the fall 2020 semester.
“Though we can’t fully predict what the fall will look like, we feel we are on a trajectory to welcome our students back to campus while taking necessary precautions,” said Dave R. Woolstenhulme, Interim Commissioner of Higher Education. “We have worked, and will continue to work, to be as adaptable in our plans as possible as we receive updated recommendations from state and federal leaders to ensure a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff, and broader communities.”
USHE proposes the following gating conditions as part of its guidelines for the fall 2020 semester:
Because of the diversity of each college and university in Utah, higher education leaders determined a “one-size-fits-all” approach was not appropriate. For this reason, Utah public colleges and universities, utilizing guidance from the System, will be releasing their individualized fall semester plans over the coming days.
Updated: May 22, 2020, 12:00 p.m.
Colleges and universities in the Utah System of Higher Education are giving nearly $50 million directly to students to help with financial aid, emergency relief, and other supports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of that funding, nearly $48 million has come from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. Through each institutions’ emergency fund program, more than $1 million has been available for eligible students across the System.
As outlined by the Department of Education, CARES Act emergency grants to students help cover student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).
For those students who do not qualify for CARES Act funds, other support is available at each USHE college and university through emergency relief programs, which are funded privately by community donors, ongoing fundraising efforts and more.
“We want our students to know that assistance is available to help them with their student expenses, whether that be food, housing, or childcare,” said Dave R. Woolstenhulme, Interim Commissioner of Higher Education. “I applaud the Department of Education for promptly distributing these essential funds for our students and institutions. We hope these funds provide support to students at the right time so they are able to remain focused on their studies and complete their education.”
Institutions are still soliciting private donations to assist students through their individual emergency relief programs. For more information on where and how to donate, please contact the individual college or university.
Institution | Total CARES Allocation to Students | Total Other Student Emergency Funds |
University of Utah | $9,362,665 | $550,000 |
Utah State University | $8,714,373 | $150,000 |
Weber State University | $5,857,113 | $30,000 |
Southern Utah University | $2,812,348 | $33,506 |
Dixie State University | $3,088,350 | $80,000 |
Utah Valley University | $11,474,604 | $55,137 |
Snow College | $1,239,156 | $20,000 |
Salt Lake Community College | $5,323,937 | $127,670 |
USHE Total | $47,872,546 | $1,046,313 |
Updated: March 18, 2020, 3:00 p.m.
Utah’s public colleges and universities to postpone or cancel Spring 2020 commencement activities
Because of the public health emergency created by COVID-19, all Utah public higher education institutions will postpone or cancel their Spring 2020 commencement activities.
To protect the health of Utah communities, Governor Gary Herbert and the state’s COVID-19 Community Task Force have recommended limiting the size of group gatherings and to continue practicing social distancing. These changes to Spring 2020 commencement activities are in line with those recommendations.
More information is available on each institution’s website:
Updated: March 12, 2020, 1:15 p.m.
All USHE institutions are moving instruction online, as many courses as they can, and as quickly as they can, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. See each institution’s messaging for more information.
All public colleges and universities are currently posting updates on their websites:
Updated: March 10, 2020, 11:00 a.m.
Guidance for USHE colleges and universities on COVID-19 campus-wide messaging
The Utah System of Higher Education asks all USHE institutions to consider the following guidance before disseminating messages to their campus community about COVID-19:
Updated: March 3, 2020 3:41pm
Utah System of Higher Education to coordinate planning efforts on COVID-19 at Utah’s public colleges and universities
Will report efforts to Governor Herbert’s Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force
SALT LAKE CITY – On March 2, 2020, Governor Gary R. Herbert announced the creation of the Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force, led by Lt. Governor Spencer Cox. The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education will coordinate Utah’s public higher education planning and response, and work closely with the state task force to inform it of higher education’s efforts. As of Monday, there were no cases of the virus confirmed as contracted in Utah.
Many of Utah’s public colleges and universities have done substantial work in planning for a potential COVID-19 outbreak and informing their stakeholders of their efforts. The Commissioner’s Office has asked that each institution form a COVID-19 working group, if they have not yet done so, that will meet weekly and inform the Commissioner’s Office of their plans and progress. The Commissioner’s Office will share this information with the Governor’s task force.
Each institutional task force will consider:
“As always, our students’ safety is of the utmost priority for us,” said Dave R. Woolstenhulme, Commissioner of Higher Education. “Institutions
have worked hard to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 coming to Utah. We are working diligently to ensure the best coordination between our office, our institutions, and the State of Utah for the health of all community members.”
The Commissioner’s Office itself will follow the University of Utah’s protocol, as the Office is located in the same general area and shares several services with the University. Updates on higher education coordination efforts can be found at ushe.edu.
All public colleges and universities are currently posting updates on their websites:
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