BIG RAPIDS, MI (WTVB) – Ferris State University is the latest college in Michigan to return students to campus in fall amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Ferris officials made the announcement Tuesday. The 13,000-student campus in Big Rapids becomes the seventh of the state’s 15 public universities to announce fall plans, with six schools moving ahead with in-person classes despite continued health concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, the state’s largest public universities, have yet to unveil their plans.
Ferris State President David Eisler made the announcement in a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday morning. In a news release after the town hall, Eisler expressed optimism that the campus could safely resume education and residential life. “Additionally, the university has developed plans to move back to remote delivery should conditions require it,”
Eisler said. “We are also developing online learning opportunities for students who may desire them and remote instructional accommodations for faculty who may be in high-risk categories.”
In-person classes are currently planned this fall at Adrian College, Albion College, Alma College, Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Hillsdale College, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Tech, and Northern Michigan University
Jackson College will have ully online classes, while Lansing Community College will have mostly online classes.
Oakland University will have a hybrid approach, with many classes online, and those that are on campus moved to large rooms to allow students to keep social distance.
