Students + Families

All U-M students are expected to follow new protocols and commit to shared responsibility — including use of face coverings and limits on social gatherings — to support the health and safety of our campus and community. Safety kits, including face coverings and hand sanitizer, were provided to students at the beginning of the term Face coverings are required while on U-M property, including when inside buildings, outdoors and on U-M transportation.

• Students in U-M Housing (residence halls and apartments) were tested for the virus that causes COVID-19 — and cleared — prior to their arrival in Ann Arbor. U-M is offering catchup testing to those who have not completed their testing.
• Students living off campus were not required by U-M to undergo pre-arrival screening but were expected to practice enhanced social distancing before their arrival in Ann Arbor.
• The Division of Student Life worked closely with U-M students across campus this summer to develop the Wolverine Culture of Care — a commitment to keeping the U-M campus community as healthy and safe as possible.
• All students are expected to complete an online learning module that serves as an overview of COVID-19: what it is, its symptoms, and best practices for staying safe.
• Students will be expected to use our daily symptom checker tool, [ResponsiBLUE](https://responsiblue.umich.edu/), at the beginning of the day, regardless of whether they are present in-person, or working or studying from home. Daily completion of the screening is required for anyone who plans to enter campus buildings. Additional information can be found here.

• Beyond Campus is a collection of virtual offerings from across campus to help students meet people and make connections, even if you cannot physically be on campus.

• U-M is offering testing for students who are symptomatic or who meet specific criteria through University Health Service. These tests will be performed through Michigan Medicine with a fast turnaround time to increase the effectiveness of contact tracing.
• U-M has launched a free, opt-in, voluntary surveillance testing program for those on the Ann Arbor campus.
• If you don’t have any symptoms, you can help U-M monitor COVID-19 levels on campus by volunteering for the​ ​COVID-19 Community Sampling & Tracking Program. This ​free, surveillance testing program ​is gathering valuable information that can be used to better target interventions and keep our campus safe.
• U-M's Environment, Health and Safety department will continue to work closely with local public health officials to perform contact tracing for all infected students as has occurred throughout the pandemic. U-M also will use public health students trained and supervised by professionals to enhance our contact tracing capacity.
• If students were tested for COVID-19 outside of University Health Service or Michigan Medicine, please report test results here.
• Housing will support and provide living space and meal delivery for any student who develops symptoms or tests positive and needs to quarantine or isolate safely. Check out this video on U-M quarantine and isolation housing for more information.
• U-M’s COVID-19 data on testing and positivity rates across campus is available on its public dashboard.
• You can read additional details here on testing and contact tracing.

To ensure the health and safety our students, faculty and staff, changes have been made to the academic calendar to reduce travel to and from campus to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Ann Arbor Fall 2020

• Fall classes began Aug. 31 and will meet continuously through Nov. 20. More details to follow about procedures for arriving on campus.
• There will be no fall break.
• The last day of in-person classes is Nov. 20, the Friday before Thanksgiving. Students are strongly advised to travel home and remain there until the winter term begins.
• Fall classes resume Nov. 30-Dec. 8 as remote-only instruction, with exams and final projects conducted remotely.
• We will not hold a December Commencement ceremony this year, and graduates will be invited to participate in spring ceremonies as they normally are.

Ann Arbor Winter 2021

• Winter semester will begin on Jan. 18 with a day celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Classes will begin on Jan. 19 and meet continuously through April 20.
• There will be no winter break.
• The later start to the semester is designed to provide students with additional time for rest and self-isolation (if needed before returning to campus), and faculty planning for winter instruction.
• Finals will run April 22-29.

Note: Dates are subject to change based on campus status and may vary by unit in some circumstances.

• Fall classes will be delivered in a variety of formats including in-person, remote and a hybrid mix of in-person and remote instruction. Beginning August 7, you can adjust your course selection as needed in Wolverine Access. Students should work with their academic advisor to discuss available options in the event the class they need is not available to them.
• Our schools and colleges have worked diligently working to design a semester that reduces density in classrooms and academic buildings. Decisions were based on commitments to high-quality teaching and learning experiences, robust course content, teaching and learning demands and public health-informed guidelines, including the size of classroom spaces that are available and our ability to implement different health and safety measures.
• Most students will be able to choose whether to return to campus or remain at their permanent residence to study remotely based on their choice of courses. There is no requirement to return to campus for your coursework for most majors.
• Students with disabilities and/or chronic health conditions —including those who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19—are encouraged to contact their professor/instructor, the Dean of Students Office (DOS), and/or Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) to explore educational arrangements or accommodations for in-person courses.
• New international students who are studying in the U.S. for fall term 2020 must choose some in-person or hybrid classes and be enrolled full-time.
• The density of students in classrooms has been reduced and some access to buildings may require Mcard swipes to reduce unnecessary building traffic.

Academic Support & Accommodations Resources:

• Dean of Students
• Information and Technology Services & Remote Resource Guide
• Services for Students with Disabilities
• U-M Library
• U-M International Center
• U-M Library is lending books and other items using contactless pickup service. Students can reserve up to two hours of individual library study space. The offerings reflect an intention to provide remote access and services wherever possible, and in-person services where remote does not suffice. Learn more here about the status of spaces, resources and services library officials are offering during the pandemic.

• Housing and dining are open for fall with face coverings and physical distancing requirements in common spaces and buildings, additional cleaning and staggered timelines for activities such as move-in and dining.
• ​Move-in for new incoming first-years students is scheduled ​for August 24-31. Check out the Housing FAQs for up-to-date information.
• Students who have already signed housing contracts will be allowed to cancel without penalty until August 14.
• If you live in a communal setting such as a residence hall, your room, suite or apartment will be considered your “family unit”; in the case of an off-campus house/apartment, this will be considered your “family unit” where safety measures such as wearing face coverings and physical distancing can be relaxed.
• Dining facilities are reserved for student use only — no faculty or staff — with seating capacity limited to align with public health measures.
• There are enhanced and strict cleaning policies and processes.
• For questions and concerns regarding off-campus leases/housing, contact Beyond the Diag at beyondthediag@umich.edu

Housing & Dining Resources:

• On-Campus Housing
• Off-Campus Housing
• Michigan Dining

Many of Student Life’s educational programs and community-building and learning opportunities have been adapted to serve students during this challenging time. We are continuing to explore the many different ways to provide recreational sports, fitness classes, student group activities and performances as well as other socially enriching experiences across campus.

• U-M has erected 13 outdoor canopies with tables and chairs spaced out to maintain social distancing to give students additional space where they can study and take a break between classes this fall. They are open from 8 a.m. to sunset Monday through Friday, and from noon until sunset on weekends, through Oct. 28. To learn more on canopy locations and hours of operation, visit the Student Life webpage.

Campus Life Resources:

• Student Life connects students with student organizations, leadership opportunities and campus jobs and internships.
• Center for Campus Involvement provides more than 300 programs and student organization support.
• Recreational Sports provides a wide variety of programs for students to stay active and play sports.
• Fraternity & Sorority Life
• Inclusive Campus Resources help students find support and community on the U-M campus.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives
• Study Spaces at U-M is a tool designed to help you find and reserve designated study spaces, computer stations, a space for you to take a remote class, or just a dedicated quiet touchdown spot between classes.

• Maintain 6 feet or more of distance between others. Observing physical distancing can lower the risk of spreading infection.
• Wear a face covering that covers your mouth, nose and chin anywhere on campus including indoors, outside and on U-M transportation. COVID-19 is primarily spread from person to person. You can become infected from respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, if unable, use hand sanitizer.
• Observe social distancing guidelines. [If you’re gathering,](https://uhs.umich.edu/covid-gatherings) meet outdoors when possible. The smaller the size, the safer the event. And take care by not sharing common food and beverages.
• Feel sick? COVID-19 symptoms vary widely. Stay home and call University Health Service at 734-764-8320 for an assessment. Telehealth options are available.
• Get vaccinated against the flu to help you stay healthy, protect others and support our health care providers.

Health & Wellness Resources:

• Well-Being for Students is Student Life’s resource page for information and wellness tips related to COVID-19.
• Counseling and Psychological Services provides information, services, and tools to help students, staff, faculty, and family members reach their full potential.
• University Health Service offers health care and individual wellness coaching to support students' well-being and can be provided in-person or virtually.