Michigan colleges and universities

Whether it’s fatalism, naiveté or both, college students appear to be less concerned about catching the potentially deadly virus than school officials, even after more than 100 people were infected at one East Lansing college bar.

A Michigan private college leader sends up a warning flare, saying that low-income high school grads aren’t enrolling or making deposits to save spots in upcoming college classes at the same rate as last year, a casualty of the economic upheaval caused by the pandemic.

Students will return to campus in Ann Arbor, and at least some classes will be held in-person. But expect more online courses, fewer seats in dining halls, and a lot of face masks. Football? Ask later.

The coronavirus has left college officials with hard choices about the fall semester — bring students back, continue remote learning, or find a hybrid approach. Bridge will track plans as they are announced.

Preliminary indicators for first-year enrollment are steady or higher at Michigan’s largest universities. That’s a huge relief for college officials, who worried many would avoid campus until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed.

Many colleges and universities are planning for students to return to campus in the fall. But there are caveats due to the unpredictability of COVID-19. And on campus or off, college life promises to be much different. 

College will be a far different experience for students in East Lansing in September, as the school works to keep students and staff safe from the coronavirus pandemic.

MSU President Samuel Stanley suggests college football could return safely, but with lots of testing, only 20 percent of Spartan Stadium filled and fans in face masks. Welcome to COVID college football.

Classes will be back in session in East Lansing, but students will leave at Thanksgiving. Football weekends? Those are still up in the air.

How do you celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime event in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic? We talked to Michigan State University grads about making the best of Saturday’s ceremony and what’s next.