U of M to proceed with distance learning following Thanksgiving break for Twin Cities students, staff

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities students and staff are proceeding with a plan for distance learning following the Thanksgiving break, according to U of M President Joan Gabel.

In a letter issued Thursday, Gabel thanked students and staff for the steps they took to follow the Maroon and Gold Sunrise Plan and Gophers Project.

"We could never have successfuly reached November if we had not acted on the guidance" in those plans, Gabel stated.

U of M announces 4-step plan to return students to campus

Gabel said the university will remain in "step three" of the plan until Thanksgiving break.

Gabel also reminded those traveling to other locations during the upcoming break to "take extra safety and health precautions in the two weeks before you leave," including "avoiding gatherings or public spaces where community spread may occur." Gabel said for those planning to travel the Wednesday before Thanksgiving break, for example, the two-week period would begin Nov. 11.

Looking ahead, Gabel said beginning Nov. 30, undergraduate and graduate classes will shift to distance learning until the end of the fall semester, and finals will also take place remotely, unless an instructor provides an explicit exception.

"Thank you again for your efforts to keep yourselves, your families, and our community safe," Gabel stated in the letter.