Texas Tech, A&M planning to reopen campuses in the fall, play football

Texas Tech and Texas A&M universities are planning to reopen their campuses in the fall, the schools announced this week as states begin to loosen restrictions related to the coronavirus. 

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp told the system’s presidents in a phone call Thursday that the university is planning on reopening its 11 campuses for the fall semester and getting ready for football season, but with added precautions to maximize student safety, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

In a letter to the university community, Texas A&M President Michael K. Young said, “While we know online classes are an option if needed, we plan to be fully open and operational, with dedicated faculty and staff leaning into preparing for all the requirements necessary to do so safely across academics, athletics and campus activities.”

Universities have lost millions of dollars from being shut down since mid-March, with a Texas A&M spokesperson telling the Star-Telegram two weeks ago that it has lost at least $19.5 million. The coronavirus stimulus package gave the university slightly less than $40 million to be used for losses and financial aid. 

Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec released a letter to campus members Wednesday saying the school will return to on-campus learning in the fall, with precautions including social distancing and medical testing. He said classes will be mixed between online and in-person.

“We need to recognize that campus life will be different when we return in the fall,” Schovanec said. “We are developing several ways to reduce the density of groups in our student facilities, large lecture-based classrooms, and our popular campus areas. These same plans extend to special events, including athletics.”

Universities across Texas and across the country closed in mid-March as the coronavirus pandemic began to take shape, with many moving to online learning. Baylor University has already announced it will return in the fall, and the University of Texas is expected to make its own announcement by the end of June, the Star-Telegram reported.

Updated: May 1 at 3:20 p.m.