Here & Now

UW-Madison to Resume In-Person Classes in Fall

Frederica Freyberg:

Despite the pandemic, the University of Wisconsin-Madison plans to begin in-person fall classes as scheduled on September 2. The in-person classes will switch to virtual classes after Thanksgiving for the final nine days of instruction plus exams. That decision is based on the likelihood that students leaving Madison over Thanksgiving and then returning would increase the risk for COVID-19 infections on campus.

Rebecca Blank:

We’ve got to strike the balance here between the safety that we need to provide to faculty, staff, students across the board, with the real desire by many, many people to have at least some in-person discussions, small class experience, the sort of experiences you have on a college campus. And the hybrid model that we’re proposing we think strikes that balance in about the same way.

Frederica Freyberg:

And this news today. Former Governor Tommy Thompson will be the new UW System interim president. An appointment drawing praise from both sides of the aisle. Go to PBSwisconsin.org for more information. We have requested an interview with the former governor.