Wichita State plans to reopen campus in May, but classes will remain online for now

Wichita State University plans to reopen the campus next month amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

President Jay Golden and Provost Rick Muma said in a statement released Wednesday that May 26 — the Tuesday after Memorial Day — is the tentative reopen date for campus.

“Even as we’re still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to look ahead and start planning for when we can begin our return to campus,” Golden and Muma said. “We must move forward as an institution and learn how to co-exist with this virus.”

The university leaders said the date, which is subject to change, was chosen based off the expected expiration of the statewide stay-at-home order at midnight May 3.

“If that date holds, we wanted to provide the campus with two-week’s notice and allow everyone to get through the Memorial Day holiday before we begin a phased and safe return to campus,” the statement read. “The reopening of campus does not affect classes, which will remain online/remote.”

Seven working groups involving students, faculty and staff have been formed to help reopen campus safely, they said. The work groups are health and safety; classroom and activity space social distancing; faculty curricular design; student finances; research; innovation partners, and communication.

In an update on CARES Act funding, the university leaders said WSU has been allocated nearly $8.8 million. Half of the funding will be allocated as emergency financial aid grants to students.

“We are working through potential options on how best to serve our neediest students,” the WSU officials said. “We are still waiting on additional guidance/clarification from the Department of Education to finalize our plan. At this point, those who are experiencing hardships as a result of COVID-19 can continue to submit their request through the application found at wichita.edu/finaidcovid19.”

Additionally, a faculty and staff virtual town hall has been set for 4-5 p.m. Friday at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TWLunPDbAM&feature=youtu.be