USU announces student fee reduction, details COVID-19 guidelines

Utah State University President Noelle Cockett announced a student fee reduction for the fall 2020 semester in a virtual town hall this morning.

In a press release published shortly afterward, the university confirmed a $150 reduction for students attending the Logan campus and $95 for those attending statewide campuses.

While the university is not receiving reduced funding from the state government and there are additional costs this year including software and computers, the university has cut costs where it can, Cockett said.

“It will actually be cheaper this year than it was last year,” Cockett said. “I wish it could be more, but as I’ve outlined a few difficulties that we’ve had financially, to keep solvent, to keep going, this is what we can do.”

If the federal government provides more funding, which the university expects, the fees will be decreased further and refunded to students. The University of Utah and USU will be lowering student fees by the same amount, according to Cockett.

University administrators also provided details and answered questions about the school’s COVID-19 response and guidelines. This included a question about whether the school will go fully remote if cases increase.

“I have no intention of going remote if everybody is in this together,” Cockett said. “But if we get a widespread infection across our campus community, there’s really nothing else I can do but spread people out, send people off campus.”

Administrators emphasized four principles to slow the spread of coronavirus: face coverings, social distancing, good hygiene and staying home when an individual is sick or has been exposed.

Cockett said hundreds of hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout campus. In addition, each classroom will be cleaned by custodial staff at least twice a day.

University administration is working to set up its own COVID-19 testing process that would return results to symptomatic individuals within 6 hours. Those with symptoms would also be asked to complete an online survey so the university can track the student’s well-being. If they test positive, anyone they have had close contact with will be anonymously notified and tested, as well.

The university says it will assist those who are required to quarantine through methods like meal delivery or potential financial assistance.

USUSA President Sami Ahmed and USU Vice President of Student Affairs James Morales emphasized that there will still be activities for students that comply with the new guidelines.

Morales said he hopes students will see these smaller activities as opportunities to connect more deeply. Some club and intramural sports will still happen this fall, as well.

Cockett closed the town hall by expressing her optimism about the coming semester.

“I can tell all of you guys care about the Aggie family. We’re all in this together and you all have a desire for us to keep the great experience that we all share at Utah State University,” she said.

—alek.nelson@aggiemail.usu.edu

@nelsonalek