Stony Brook University will continue its hybrid approach to classes throughout the winter and spring semesters, according to an email from Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Bernstein.

The spring semester was delayed by one week to start on Feb. 1. There will not be a spring break.

“Our Spring and Winter planning builds on what we did to launch such a successful Fall semester,” Bernstein wrote in the email. “Because of your collaboration and care with each other, we have been able to maintain some face-to-face classes.”

Bernstein noted that plans may change if there is a spike in COVID-19 cases. 

Spring classes with fewer than 45 students will generally be held face-to-face in larger classrooms that can accommodate social distancing measures. Courses with more than 45 students will be remote. Some classes may be hybrid. 

Most winter classes will be offered online. Winter and spring course registration will open on Nov. 2.

Stony Brook University has managed to keep COVID-19 cases at a low since the start of the fall semester. As of Sept. 25, there are four confirmed cases on campus, according to the university’s COVID-19 dashboard. 

Most State University of New York (SUNY) campuses have similarly low cases, but a few upstate universities have seen high numbers in recent weeks.

SUNY Oneonta transitioned to an online format in early September after logging more than 500 positive COVID-19 cases. No other SUNY school has come close to that number, except for SUNY Oswego. They have 132 cases as of Sept. 25, according to the SUNY COVID-19 Case Tracker.

Stony Brook University will release further details about the winter and spring semesters next week.