University System of Maryland announces hybrid instruction model for Fall 2020 semester

BALTIMORE, Md — Students enrolled in Maryland public universities next academic year can expect a hybrid instruction model combining on-campus instruction with remote learning.

The University System of Maryland (USM) made the announcement Friday.

USM says that over the next two weeks, each school will announce an overview of its initial planning for the fall 2020 semester.

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Campuses will also be staggering start times for different cohorts to minimize the number of students on campus at any given time, according to USM.

For example, some cohorts could begin the semester as early as July, whereas other students will begin in mid-to-late August.

USM says that some schools may end in-person instruction by Thanksgiving while others may complete the semester at their normal times, depending on local health conditions.

Classes that require in-person instruction like laboratory and clinical classes will be on-campus, whereas various other courses involving instructor lectures will be taught entirely online, USM says.

USM also says steps are being taken to reduce the density of students in campus housing and decreasing room occupancy when possible.

Most universities will prohibit or limit the use of community spaces in residence halls, and many will modify food service options ton include grab-and-go meals, USM says.

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Schools affected by the hybrid instruction model are:

• Bowie State University
• Coppin State University
• Frostburg State University
• Salisbury University
• Towson University
• The University of Baltimore
• The University of Maryland, Baltimore
  
• The University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
• The University of Maryland, College Park
• The University of Maryland Eastern Shore
• The University of Maryland Global Campus