Colleges and universities in the Inland Northwest are making tentative plans to resume face-to-face instruction after spring courses were moved online due to COVID-19.

The presidents of Washington State University, Gonzaga University and Whitworth University each have said they plan to reopen their campuses and resume teaching classes in person this fall semester. But they will need to take new steps to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus and protect the most vulnerable students and employees.

“There’s still a lot that we don’t know, but we think that we know what the major components of a successful return will look like,” Whitworth President Beck Taylor said in an interview Tuesday. “I don’t think it will be complete normalcy.”

Taylor said Whitworth administrators are considering ways to offer flexibility to students and employees when the campus reopens. They’re also focused on coronavirus testing and social distancing efforts, he said, noting that Whitworth already has small class sizes compared to other universities. A contingency plan is in the works in case there’s another outbreak, he said.

Higher education institutions across the country are receiving billions of dollars from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act that Congress passed in late March. But many school officials say that assistance won’t make up for all the money they’ve lost due to the pandemic.

Some schools have given refunds for tuition, room and board, and other fees. Officials also worry about potential declines in enrollment due to the pandemic.

In a statement Monday, Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh said he’s assembled a task force to navigate the university’s reopening.

McCulloh said Gonzaga might adjust schedules to reduce class sizes; make changes to campus housing, dining and fitness facilities; allow vulnerable students and employees to work remotely; manage visitors and building access; and place restrictions on campus gatherings.

McCulloh said coronavirus testing, contact tracing and personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves might also be components of the reopening plan.

“There is no question in my mind that the cessation of many activities in our society, including certain functions at Gonzaga University, was an appropriate and necessary response to the advent of COVID-19. It is also clear that the virus will be with us for some time to come,” McCulloh said.

“While maintaining safe environments within which to work and live, we need to do everything possible to help our students continue, remain on track and graduate,” he said.

On Twitter, WSU President Kirk Schulz has said the university is working with health care professionals and Gov. Jay Inslee’s office to craft a plan for reopening. In addition to its main campus in Pullman, WSU has campuses in Spokane, Vancouver, Everett and the Tri-Cities.

“Like many other higher education institutions we are working hard on a viable plan – and will use best practices from across the nation,” Schulz wrote in one post on Monday.

WSU spokesman Phil Weiler said it’s too early to say whether students will be able to return to campus residence halls. He said the university had strong online programs before the pandemic, and so it could easily transition most courses back online in the event of another outbreak.

“That will be something we’ll be prepared to do if the need arises,” Weiler said.

The University of Idaho also plans to resume normal operations this fall, said Jodi Walker, a university spokeswoman.

Eastern Washington University, which uses the quarter system, plans to continue teaching courses online at least through part of the summer.

In an email Tuesday, EWU spokesman Dave Meany said administrators had not made any final decisions about the fall quarter. School officials, he said, were “examining our options with safety of students, faculty and staff a top priority.”