LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell will use a mix of in-person, hybrid and virtual instruction this fall when it plans to welcome students back to campus.

The university’s plans put the health and safety of the campus community first as it continues to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and local, state and federal health experts.

The current details of the fall plan are on the university website. Highlights include:

In-person classes and labs at 25 to 50 percent of previous capacity, while larger lectures will be virtual;

Residence halls open at reduced capacity;

Enhanced protocols for physical-distancing and disease prevention;

Plans to promote community engagement and social interaction;

Campus operations to resume in phases over the summer and fall.

Like colleges and universities across the country, UMass Lowell will operate differently in the fall. Workspaces and classrooms will impose at least six-feet distancing; face coverings will be required when unable to physically distance; and large campus events will be replaced by smaller programs or virtual activities to encourage safe interactions.

However, as was the case in the spring, the university plans to enhance and enrich the living and learning experiences of students through creative uses of technology and programming. The university also is prepared to modify its plans should it need to return to all-remote learning and operations.

“These are challenging times for our community and our society as we grapple with the uncertainties of this international pandemic and the physical, personal and economic toll it has taken on our world and our lives,” said Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. “However, UMass Lowell’s commitment to providing the highest quality education to our students and conducting innovative research that benefits our community has never been stronger. Thanks to the collective efforts of our incredible faculty and staff, I know that we will deliver on that promise.”

UMass Lowell successfully transitioned to online learning and remote work in mid-March, moving more than 2,700 classes online using technology such as Zoom, Blackboard learning management system, the vLabs virtual desktop environment and Skype for Business. Hundreds of remote meetings and other virtual events were held over the spring semester, culminating with the university’s first virtual Commencement ceremony on May 29. Virtual workshops, seminars and orientation programs also are underway to engage new students and help them get acclimated to campus.

UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 18,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu

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