BGSU plans to resume face-to-face classes in fall

University will institute social distancing protocols, health monitoring

This spring brought unforeseen challenges as our world was changed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Bowling Green State University students and faculty are in an online teaching and learning format and the majority of staff are working remotely, BGSU has approached each day with the goal of making decisions in the best interests of the University community.

As previously stated, the University is planning to resume face-to-face learning on its campuses this fall. BGSU continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Ohio Department of Health and regional and local health care partners to comply with directives and guidelines to safeguard students, faculty, staff and visitors and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 on its campuses.

BGSU is a major university, but both campuses are located in small, relatively rural communities. The University has one of the lowest population densities of any of the comprehensive universities in the Midwest. To date, the Bowling Green community and region have successfully limited the number of COVID-19 cases. The strong partnerships the University has developed with local health officials, hospitals, government and first responders will continue to be leveraged to mitigate the spread of the virus and create a safe environment for students, faculty and staff to return to in the fall. While this is the plan, BGSU also recognizes the critical need to be flexible, and the University will give full consideration to online and remote options.

BGSU has established two University-wide planning groups to guide its efforts. Dr. Joe Whitehead, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Cecilia Castellano, vice president for enrollment management, are co-leading the student academic and non-academic experience group to ensure that the University is adapting BGSU’s first-year and continuing undergraduate and graduate student experiences.

In addition, Dr. Sue Houston, vice president for partnerships and chief of staff, and Sheri Stoll, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, are co-leading the safe campus and campus operations group to ensure the University provides a reduced-risk environment. BGSU has asked faculty and staff members across the University to participate in these primary planning groups and various sub-groups focused on targeted areas such as research and residence life.

Planning to resume face-to-face in the fall will mean that the University will be different. BGSU will balance the interactions that make a residential campus, like Bowling Green, so valuable with a priority of creating a safe environment. The University will institute social distancing protocols and health monitoring. Dining facilities will change how they serve food and accommodate seating. Classrooms, facilities and residence halls will be frequently sanitized and monitored. The University is committed to taking these actions and others to prioritize everyone’s health and safety.

While it is the University’s plan to resume face-to-face in the fall, BGSU would comply with any state restrictions and let science and the expertise of health officials guide its decisions.

The University will continue to keep everyone updated regarding its plans to be back in the fall.