Mid-pandemic, U of M Research Guided Changes to Make Classrooms Safer

Recently, we asked you to share your stories that archive and acknowledge the pandemic one-year mark.

This week, we’re highlighting a post from OVPR’s Inquiry: “Mid-Pandemic, U of M Research Guided Changes to Make Classrooms Safer.”

Last summer, as the Sunrise Plan began assessing how to gradually bring the University community back to campus, experts in operations and research came together to make classrooms as safe as possible for in-person learning.

The Center for Filtration Research conducted modeling and in-classroom experiments to demonstrate how changes to HVAC systems and room layouts would affect the concentration of COVID-carrying particles in the air. Their guidelines informed a larger set of changes that Facilities Management then made to better filter and refresh indoor air and limit the spread of the virus.

Continue to share your highlights that mark a year of challenge and change with us at internalcomms@umn.edu. We’ll continue to feature your work in upcoming posts.