LOUISVILLE, Ky. — University of Louisville President Dr. Neeli Bendapudi met with reporters Monday and reaffirmed the administration’s plan to hold in-person classes for the fall semester. 

Bendapudi placed a major emphasis on mask-wearing and said 40,000 masks would be distributed on campus. The briefing came after the school’s Student Government Association posted an open letter to administrators, stating, "the original plan to return in the fall was founded in optimism... and that it is clear that the pandemic has only worsened." The letter cited conversations with students and urged Bendapudi to change course and consider going online only. 

"In class, where everybody is wearing a mask and they are distanced, is among the safest things they can be," Bendapudi said at the press conference. "The real danger is when you don’t have that structure. People are outside; you don’t know what’s going on."

While she said online courses were being offered to all who want them, we asked Bendapudi if UofL was willing and prepared to move entirely to online learning if there was an outbreak.

"Already we are having 50 percent of our classes fully online, and the other 50 percent are hybrid. Even the others, honestly still already have a significant online portion. So, what you’re saying is, something completely unexpected happens, Kentucky has to do something, would we be ready to? Yes."

Testing is being offered on campus, and Bendapudi said rigorous contact tracing will be conducted.

Meanwhile, signs have been set up to guide new students around campus. Those students are due to begin moving in on Wednesday. Classes at UofL are set to begin August 17.