Lane County’s plans to reopen will not immediately change the University of Oregon’s operational status, said André Le Duc, chief resilience officer and associate vice president.

Gov. Kate Brown has approved the county’s plans to allow some local businesses to start operating as early as May 15 through a controlled and phased reopening strategy.

“The county moving into a Phase 1 reopening stance is certainly good news because it means that Lane County has not seen a significant growth in COVID-19 cases and that the local testing and contact-tracing infrastructure is beginning to take shape,” Le Duc said in a message sent to all university students, faculty members and staff.

However, Oregon universities are subject to an executive order from the governor that suspends in-person instructional activities and limits campus operations through June 13. The university is still awaiting guidance specific to higher education from the Oregon Health Authority.

That guidance, which is expected in the next few weeks, will be the foundation for helping the university develop plans for a safe and responsible reopening at the UO, Le Duc said. The university is planning for a methodical and phased return to in-person work over the course of the summer and into the beginning of fall term.

“It won’t be easy,” Le Duc added. “But we’re all in this together. I have great faith in the thoughtfulness and ingenuity of the UO community.”

Next week, the university will add a detailed section about reopening to its FAQ page, the best source for the latest university-related information about COVID-19.

Read Le Duc’s full message on the Safety and Risk Services website.