Novi Times

Oakland University wants to be proactive to make sure that COVID-19 doesn't return with students this fall.

University President Ora Pescovitz said that the changes are planned for the university for the fall semester, which include masks to be worn by everyone on campus, periodic testing, staggered in-person classes, reducing the number of students in dorms and professional cleaners coming to disinfect students' bathrooms, The Detroit News reported.

"I consider the health and safety of my campus to be my primary responsibility," Pescovtiz told the news agency. "It’s even more important than educating the students. I can’t educate them effectively if my campus isn’t safe."

At other universities, such as Wayne State University, a final decision hasn't been made yet.

Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson said he doesn't know how the university will be able to open, but the school is making preparations, the news agency reported.

Hillsdale College announced it would be open business as usual, while Jackson College is offering online classes only for the fall semester, according to the news agency.

Northern Michigan University and Lake Superior State University both announced they would start their fall semesters early so they will be over by Thanksgiving.

"One of the great things about public higher education in Michigan is that we have 15 distinct universities and each university is in a different location and has different structures and how they approach these issues can differ," Northern Michigan President Fritz Erickson told the news agency.

Erickson said the school's size and location give it an advantage

"We are fortunate we are in the shore of Lake Superior, we are small, we are safe, we are tucked away, and it’s not to say what we do is right or better than anybody, it just suits who we are and where they are," Erickson said, according to the news agency.

Schools and universities statewide have been preparing many scenarios for the fall semester, but the consensus is that there will be big changes this fall, the news agency reported.