CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The University of Virginia will delay undergraduate in-person instruction and residence hall move-in dates by two weeks in response to an uptick in coronavirus cases.
The university announced the changes Tuesday in an email to the University community.
Undergraduate courses will still begin August 25, but all courses will begin online. In-person instruction for undergraduates will now begin on September 8.
Officials say students will be able to move into residence halls several days before then, while graduate and professional programs will start as previously planned.
The letter was signed by President Jim Ryan, Provost Liz Magill, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. K. Craig Kent and Chief Operating Officer J.J. Davis.
The school leaders say the change is in response to an uptick in virus cases in Virginia and across the county since the University’s original reopening plans were announced June 17, as well as supply chain disruptions affecting the availability of testing materials.
“In response to these conditions, and based on the advice of UVA public health experts, we have decided to adopt a phased approach to the fall semester, which we believe will best safeguard the health and safety of our University community and our Charlottesville neighbors and give us the best chance of a successful return to Grounds,” they wrote. “We still plan to welcome all students back to Grounds, but out of caution, we will do it a bit more slowly than originally intended.”
School leaders say a more complete move-in schedule will be released at a later date.
Officials say they plan to share another update no later than August 28.
For more information and resources about returning to the University of Virginia campus, click here.
