UMR chancellor supportive of two-week delay; confident in students' decision-making upon return

Most undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota-Rochester will not return to campus this month as originally planned, after the university system’s Board of Regents approved a two-week delay on in-person classes and a delay on move-in dates for campus residences.

The eleven-person body approved the move in an 8-3 vote Monday morning, after University President Joan Gabel originally proposed the change on Friday. In addition to Rochester, the delay applies to U of M campuses in the Twin Cities and Duluth. 

(U of M campuses in Morris and Crookston had already started the move-in process; their fall semester plans remain unchanged.)

UMR Chancellor Dr. Lori Carrell said she supports the board’s decision, saying the delay allows her team to observe what happens at college campuses across the country that have already opened and adjust their plans accordingly. 

While she added she sympathizes with students — specifically incoming freshmen — who want to have the true ‘college experience,’ the decision airs on the side of safety.

“In the board’s discussion, I heard real care for the community on campus — certainly students, but also for staff and faculty,” said Dr. Carrell. “I respect that, and I share that.” 

The fall semester will still start on time (with online-only instruction for at least two weeks) on September 8. Dr. Carrell says a hybrid model is tentatively planned for the rest of the semester. 

Move-in dates for most students living in 318 Commons or Residence at Discovery Square — originally set for August 29 — have also been pushed back; UMR officials say a decision on the new move-in date will come from the Board of Regents before Labor Day (September 7). 

On Friday, student leaders from various U of M campuses — including Rochester — cited uneasiness with returning to their campuses without more robust safety guidelines and increased testing capacity. In response, Dr. Carrell said UMR would follow guidance from Olmsted County Public Health and implement their own protocols, including a behavioral pledge required of all students.

Because of the career tracks of the more than 500 undergrads currently enrolled, however, Dr. Carrell says she trusts the students to make smart decisions and avoid outbreaks — as best they can.

“Given that our students study health, I have confidence in them and their commitment to appropriate behavior and protecting others,” said Dr. Carrell. “That’s really not the question. The question is: is this virus so contagious that there’s a danger to safety and health, even if we follow public health guidelines? If that’s the case, we would need to take additional measures.”

While the vast majority of UMR’s students will be barred from moving in, campus housing will not be entirely closed. International students, plus students who do not have another place to stay or lack secure Internet access, will be allowed to move in on time. 

In contrast to the UMR news, Rochester Community and Technical College opened its doors for the fall semester on Monday. RCTC’s Covid-19 preparedness plan says class sizes will ‘generally’ be limited to 5-10 people, and all students and faculty on-campus are expected to wear masks. The Yellowjackets also require every person entering campus to take a Covid-19 self-assessment.

Isaac Jahns is a Rochester native and a 2019 graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism. He reports on politics, business and music for Med City Beat.