Thompson wants 75% of fall UW classes in-person
MADISON, Wis. - University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson announced Thursday that he wants 75% of classes to be taught in-person this fall.
Thompson said in a column that he's directed system campuses to ensure students will have what he called "as classic a UW campus experience as possible."
He said the system's social distancing, masks and aggressive testing protocols have kept COVID-19 infection rates low. He noted the system has administered about 250,000 free tests in campus communities. Testing on Tuesday revealed only 24 infections across the system's 13 four-year campuses, according to the system's latest data.
Thompson said it's time to resume as much of an in-person campus experience as possible, including classroom instruction, hands-on research, attending athletic events and live performances and opening dining halls.
The announcement comes as the system is grappling with pandemic-related revenue losses. UW-Madison alone is expects to lose $320 million by the time the state fiscal year ends in June due to dwindling tuition and loss of revenue from athletic events, housing and student unions.
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Gov. Tony Evers' executive budget calls for increasing state aid to the system by $190 million. Thompson has been trying to bolster the system's standing in the eyes of Republican legislators in hopes of securing the funding.
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