Baruch College’s Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Myung-Soo Lee made an announcement regarding the course schedule for the fall 2021 semester to the college community via email blast.

As the registration period for the fall 2021 semester approaches, students will begin to see CUNYfirst offering “in-person, hybrid, and online (both synchronous and asynchronous),” classes starting from April 5.

“For now, we are planning for a best-case scenario, in which vaccines become increasingly more available and widespread, and prove to be very effective in slowing the transmission of COVID-19, allowing for the reopening of our campus,” Lee said. “The faculty has made its best effort to put together a schedule that offers students broad options with respect to educational needs and preferences, as well as personal circumstances.”

According to the statement, Baruch notes that it has “aimed to provide as many options as possible,” while acknowledging that the new arrangement of class options may seem complicated for some students.

Many students may be able to participate more in online classes from campus because of the “adjacency to in-person classes.” As a result, Baruch will be working to ensure that there will be more quiet study and lab spaces available for students to access their online classes while on campus.

This news comes with mixed responses from students in the way they view the plan of the reopening of campus.

The Ticker posted a Google form asking for student opinions on the situation.

“I believe that Baruch should re-open. With the Pass/fail grading policy not available anymore kids have to face the hardships of online classes,” Gabriel Fernandez, a sophomore and finance major, said. “Online classes, in my opinion, are not an efficient method for students to learn the course material. Also, social interactions, we need this to keep our mental health in check. Personally, I am a transfer student, and I haven’t been to the school yet, but I want to get an in-person experience.”

While there are some students who may prefer the return of in-person classes for the upcoming fall semester, there are also students who would like the continuation of the remote learning format. Personal implications, such as commuting, play a big role in their decision.

“I’m not completely comfortable with in person just yet due to us not knowing how crowded it might get,” Cerena Garcia, a sophomore and political science major, said. “Also, the trains I take to Baruch tend to get crowded. … This is another problem which Baruch cannot help with.”

Adjustments are likely to be made to assist the transition back to in-person learning. If the conditions regarding public health do not improve by the time the semester rolls around, Baruch “may not be able to offer as many in-person and hybrid options as are currently listed,” and some classes may convert to a fully remote listing.

Announcements from Baruch’s administration will continue to be shared with the college community for the planned fall courses.