Back to Class? Virginia Tech Eyes Larger Spring Return

By Associated Press

October 20, 2020

More classes will switch to in-person instruction beginning in January.

ROANOKE — Virginia Tech wants more in-person classes for the 2021 spring semester. School officials announced that Monday, while saying they would continue to operate under COVID-19 restrictions.

The school said on its website that it will start the semester as planned on Jan. 19, but will modify its traditional weeklong, early-March spring break to discourage travel that may increase the risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19 from one area to another.

According to the school, all instruction will be online through Jan. 22, allowing for a gradual move-in process for residential students and allow orderly COVID-19 surveillance, the school said.

In-person and hybrid instruction begins on Jan. 25 and continues to the end of the semester on May 5. As with the fall semester, courses may either be fully online, hybrid, or fully-in-person as determined by each instructor.

Spring break will consist of five one-day breaks, starting on Feb. 5. The other breaks are slated for Feb. 25, March 17, April 6; and April 26.

Final exams will be held May 7-12 and may be taken online, using a hybrid format or in-person, based on current public health guidelines, depending on the availability of suitable classroom space, and in accordance with course planners.