OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh students will soon be stepping back onto campus. Some are moving in today.
The last time UWO students were on campus, they were hauling their stuff out. Now, they’re preparing to move it all back in.
“It’s gonna be awesome to see everyone’s smiling face on campus, even through a mask,” said UWO senior Macy Thurler. “It’s just gonna be really nice to be able to see everyone; you can see them smiling through their eyes.”
UWO dean of a sturdents Art Munin tells FOX 11 this move-in will be very different.
“Expectation number one is this, right? You’re wearing a mask – that is something that has to be done. What isn’t different is the amount of care and support our students are going to feel.”
The first moving day comes just as universities across the country are reporting coronavirus outbreaks on campus.
“You’re not hearing about a lot of other schools that are opening relatively successfully,” said UWO chancellor Andrew Leavitt. “We think, given the plan that we have that we’ll be able to do that, as well.”
UWO leaders say starting classes after other universities has given them a roadmap. They’ve been able to see what works, what doesn’t and what should be done differently.
“What we’ve been learning recently is that we need to test as often as we can and get those asymptomatic students or staff out of that community as quickly as we can,” said Kimberly Langolf, director of risk and safety and sponsor programs at UWO.
Langolf tells FOX 11 the university has something many campuses don’t – an on-site COVID testing facility, with a goal of administering about 2,800 tests each week.
“We’re really fortunate to get this amount of testing, but we are aware that, at any point, the supply chain can be stretched, so our plan is to test as many students as we can, as often as we can and as quick as we can.”
Students and staff will come to a room in Albee Hall, where tests will be taken. Once tests are completed, they will be taken to the room right next door, where an analysis will be done.
Testing on move-day is mandatory. Students will be randomly selected or asked to volunteer after that.
Students will also be able to pick all-virtual classes, all in-person, or a mix of both.
UWO expects all of its students to be fully situated by Sunday.
Classes start on the Wednesday, after Labor Day.
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