Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, which previously announced plans to reopen its northwestern Pennsylvania campus in August, will remain largely online this fall.

Edinboro President Guiyou Huang announced the about-face on Wednesday.

“I realize that this news is being sent after many of you have solidified your return-to-campus arrangements, but in this incredibly fluid situation, with covid-19 cases surging in Pennsylvania and many other states, we believe this is the best way to minimize the health risks to our students, faculty and staff,” Huang wrote in an email announcement.

Edinboro becomes the third university in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to return online rather than with in-person classes this fall. West Chester University, located outside Philadelphia, and East Stroudsburg University in northeastern Pennsylvania previously announced they would remain largely online next semester.

Other State System schools in Western Pennsylvania, including California, Clarion, Indiana and Slippery Rock universities, still plan to reopen their campuses this fall with a mix of in-person and online classes. Slippery Rock, however, recently ratcheted back its plans to offer classes 50% online and 50% in person to a schedule that calls for offering only about 20% of its courses in person.

But all will start the school year without collegiate sports. Last week, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference — the body at oversees sports at the State System schools — canceled all fall sports and delayed the start of winter sports at the schools.

Although 11 of the 14 State System universities still are planning a return to campus, members of the Association of State College and University Faculties — the union that represents professors, instructors and coaches at State System schools — have voiced concerns about a return to campus. The union released a survey last week that suggested nearly three-quarters of its members are concerned about the safety of a return to campus.

Huang said Edinboro, which enrolled about 4,700 students last fall, will offer a limited number of in-person offerings, including art studios, nursing clinical labs and similar programs.

Officials said campus housing will be limited to international students and those enrolled in a course with an experiential component that is being taught in-person and is required for their major programs.

Huang said students who qualify for campus housing will be assigned to single rooms and each will have an individual bathroom. Housing will be capped at 175 students.

He said he understands the decision likely comes as a disappointment to many students.

“But we are erring on the side of caution, rather than risking your health and the health of faculty and staff,” Huang said.

Huang said students who have traveled internationally or domestically to an area with high numbers of covid-19 cases will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to attending in-person classes.

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