In an effort to resume classes on campus this fall, Texas A&M University will be using parts of its student center and athletic facilities as classrooms.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the school will use the additional spaces to rotate students and classrooms in an effort to maintain social distancing protocols on campus and keep up with cleaning protocols.
For Texas A&M, most classes will begin on August 19, with the last day of in-person classes ending before Thanksgiving on Nov. 24. All final exams, other graded activities and office hours after that date will be held remotely. All in-person classes will also be streamed live for those tuning in remotely.
The school will stagger classes, allowing for cleaning of facilities throughout the day. Masks will be required and additional fresh air will be circulated throughout the facilities. Classrooms will operate at about 33 percent capacity and will feature movable plexiglass shields that can be placed in front of instructors and other areas in the classroom.
Texas A&M officials said they plan to use the Memorial Center, portions of the Rudder Theater Complex, and some of its athletic venues as classrooms. The college is also working to maximize study spaces, computer labs and outdoor spaces for studying and internet access. Some of those spaces might not be suitable for taking in-person exams, officials said as details on exam proctoring are still in development.
