VERMILLION, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota’s public university students will return to their campuses on Aug. 19 to start the fall term and wrap up by Thanksgiving.

University of South Dakota President Sheila Gestring says they wanted to find a way to limit personal exposure and limit the possible spread of the coronavirus.

Gestring says they will also stretch out the time for students to move into the dorms.

Gestring says they can fit the academic schedule to the new calendar.

Students left their campuses in mid-March and finished the last part of the semester with online classes.