Students + Families

All U-M students will be 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. You will be provided a starter kit including face coverings and hand sanitizer.

To facilitate health and safety for you, our faculty and our 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 begin Aug. 31 and 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.
• Decisions about which courses and sections to offer in which formats will be made by schools, colleges and departments to fulfill their unique educational needs. They will ground their decisions 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.
• The density of students in classrooms will be reduced and some access to buildings may require Mcard swipes to reduce unnecessary building traffic.
• Face coverings will be required indoors (detailed guidance forthcoming) and when physical distancing of six feet is not possible.

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

• On-campus residents will be able to build community by living and learning with their peers. Housing and dining are open for fall with physical distancing requirements in common spaces and buildings, additional cleaning and staggered timelines for activities such as move-in and dining.
• If you plan on living in U-M housing, you should self-quarantine for 14 days prior to arriving on campus. More specific instructions will be forthcoming.
• 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. More details to come.
• 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.

Housing & Dining Resources:

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

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

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

• Maintain 6 feet or more of distance between others. Observing physical distancing can lower the risk of spreading infection.
• Wear a mask/face covering that covers your mouth, nose and chin. 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 with soap and water or, if unable, use hand sanitizer.
• Cover your coughs & sneezes.
• Observe social distancing guidelines. If you’re gathering, meet outdoors when possible. The smaller the size, the safer the event. And take care by not sharing common food and beverages.
• Check in with yourself and others. How are you feeling, not just your temperature, but in all dimensions of your well-being?
• 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 student’s well-being and can be provided in-person or virtually.