Thompson: UW returns to pre-pandemic levels of in-person instruction

Metro Wire Staff

University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson announced today that the System has returned to pre-pandemic levels of in-person undergraduate instruction for the fall 2021 semester.

Systemwide, 85 percent of undergraduate courses are being delivered in person, he said. That exceeds the goal of 75 percent that Thompson set in February amid a 2020-21 academic year in which more classes than usual were delivered remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thompson also announced that several universities far exceeded the 75 percent threshold: 12 of the System’s 13 universities reached it.

“Every student I talk to wants to be back in class, and that’s where they belong,” Thompson said. “There is so much enthusiasm on the campuses I’ve visited this fall. I thank the staff, faculty, and administrators for making that happen and meeting this goal while also prioritizing student and employee health and safety.”

UW-Stevens Point reached 82 percent of classes meeting in-person. La Crosse reached the highest level of in-person classes at 94 percent. UW-Superior had a system-wide low of 65 percent, though many of its classes were already being held online prior to the start of the pandemic.

Universities routinely provide fully online course offerings in addition to in-person courses. A university’s exact percentage of in-person courses corresponds to its programs, missions, and goals.

Of the 85 percent of undergraduate classes held in person, 80 percent are being delivered fully in person and five percent are hybrids having a substantial and required face-to-face component with some portion online.