NORMAN, Okla. — The University of Oklahoma is planning to return to in-person classes this fall on all three campuses, according to a Friday letter from Interim President Joe Harroz.

After transitioning online for spring and summer courses this year, OU plans to offer “traditional instruction and residential life” by fall 2020. 

While OU’s 2020 academic calendar notes that fall classes begin Aug. 24, the president’s letter does not clarify whether the original fall 2020 start date will remain the same. Harroz said OU will continue to share more details of its plans in coming weeks.

The university will be taking safety precautions to “mitigate (risk) in every reasonable way we can” as the university works to create “the safest possible environment for our campus communities” in light of COVID-19, according to the letter.

OU will be adapting class schedules, utilizing larger classrooms to space students apart, increasing on-campus COVID-19 testing, encouraging the use of masks and personal protective equipment and conducting thorough cleaning, Harroz wrote.

“We are acutely aware of the certain challenges COVID-19 will present as we pursue this goal and are planning to address the issues proactively and creatively,” Harroz wrote. “We are prepared to adapt instructional and housing models as appropriate to protect our community and still offer the life-changing, in-person OU experience.

“We have an obligation to our students, our state and society to continue our important work. As we navigate the coming months, the real measure of our success is not that we just get through this pandemic, but that we emerge from it stronger.”

As of fall 2019, just over 28,000 students were enrolled in OU Norman and extended campus programs, including nearly 5,000 freshmen with most required to live on campus.

The three campuses are Norman, the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Center and the OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City.

Emma Keith of The Norman (Okla.) Transcript contributed to this report.