1. Strict adherence to health and safety standards. Personal and institutional health and safety standards for on-campus activities, including instruction, will be developed by the COVID Response Center to be consistent with current public health guidelines. This likely will include universal and correct use of masks (even for those vaccinated), physically distanced classroom seating and regular testing of anyone participating in on-campus activities. All in-person instructional activities, and anyone participating in these activities, will be required to adhere to these guidelines. 
2. In-person courses. The vast majority of fall semester courses will be offered in-person. We do not expect fully remote participation to be an option, so students should plan on being in Merced. We have plans in place for various fall public health scenarios and plan to maintain in-person instruction for courses even if we are in the yellow or orange tier. This will involve further social distancing in the classrooms. In the unlikely event that we will be in red or purple tier in fall, we would shift to mostly fully remote courses for some time at the start of the semester.
3. Offering a campus life experience on campus that is meaningful and fun, while adhering to appropriate health guidelines. This includes living on campus and a return to athletics and the other co-curricular activities that renew old acquaintances, make new ones and build memories.