Local UW campuses moving to virtual learning

This afternoon UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, and UW-Eau Claire have all announced that they are moving to a full virtual learning model after Thanksgiving break. As of Nov. 30 all of the campuses will be holding all classes virtually, although campus buildings will remain open. The schools emphasized that this change is not due to a significant increase of cases among students, but due to the serious general increase of cases in the Chippewa Valley, the deep strain on the local health system, as hospitals are at capacity in many cases, and because Governor Evers recently issued an executive order asking that people do everything possible to get the pandemic under control. 

The campuses are currently planning to return to their previous mix of virtual and in-person instruction in the spring semester. 

The UW-Stout announcement included the following:

As of November 12, 2020, the decision was made to move to virtual instruction on November 30, 2020. The university will remain fully open for business, however, please call ahead prior to visiting campus offices or buildings to verify hours and availability.  

We are planning to return to a modified normal a mix of in-person, hybrid, and online course delivery options for the spring semester. This means that we are planning for the return of students to campus and will be following our current academic calendar.

Per the UW System’s mask mandate, it is required that masks are worn on campus, indoors or outdoors, unless you have a health condition that limits your ability to wear a mask or are in a situation where you can be fully socially distant such as in a private office or dorm room. Our Facilities Management personnel have completed extensive plans for the frequent cleaning of our buildings, as well as the installation of signage to encourage safe social distancing. We have also worked with health experts and the University of Wisconsin System to develop testing and contact tracing protocols to successfully control the spread of the virus on campus.