Florida’s state universities are expected to return to pre-coronavirus operations during the upcoming school year, including at athletic and social events, top system officials said Wednesday.
An early evening news release signed by Syd Kitson, chairman of the university system’s Board of Governors, and Marshall Criser, chancellor of the system, said the 12 public universities “expect to increase classroom occupancy to pre-COVID capacity by the 2021-22 academic year and return to pre-COVID operations.
"Further, we anticipate returning to full in-person participation in athletic and social activities on our campuses, including fan participation in stadiums and arenas.”
The announcement did not provide further details.
In a letter to University of South Florida staff and students, president Steven Currall said university officials "will continue to closely coordinate with the BOG and provide more details as soon as possible."
Currall said USF and other state universities "are planning to transition to pre-COVID operations and pre-COVID classroom capacity beginning at the start of the Summer B session on June 28."
After the coronavirus pandemic hit Florida in March 2020, university campuses shut down and students were required to take online courses.
Campuses reopened this school year, though universities used a variety of measures to try to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.
