OMAHA - Many colleges and universities are stocking up on masks in anticipation of students returning for the fall semester, and many other challenges are expected.

Part of the challenge is to balance the risk of bringing students back to campus against the potentially harsh financial impact of continuing to teach classes online, which don’t fulfill some students’ desire for a college experience.

Among the things institutions must consider are additional cleaning and disinfecting; testing for the disease; tracking, or “contact tracing,” when someone contracts the disease; thresholds as to what level of disease is tolerable on campus and what level requires sending all students home. There also must be space to isolate ill students and quarantine those who have been in touch with sick people.

Other considerations include: the appropriate amount of classroom space to allow for physical distancing; plastic barriers in front of some staffers; how to handle residence halls, sports and recreation; whether to add instructors and nurses; and how to deal with students at high risk of severe illness, such as those with asthma.

Campus committees are in planning mode. Creighton University has a “Campus Safety and Innovative Operations Workgroup” focused on screening for the disease, protective gear and supplies, social distancing, cleaning and other elements. Concordia University of Seward has a “Reopening Task Force” and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln a “Forward to Fall” team.

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