A sign at the entrance to Haskell Indian Nations University is shown Friday, Aug. 5, 2016.

Haskell Indian Nations University announced this week that spring semester classes will begin on Jan. 18 as originally planned, but the first three weeks will take place entirely online because of the recent COVID-19 surge and the rapid spread of the virus’ omicron variant.

According to a memo from the office of the president, students who are present on campus will be able to use the library and other spaces to take their classes.

The delay in in-person classes will allow students time to make travel arrangements amid airline cancellations, the memo states, and will also provide Haskell more time to ensure it can supply appropriate personal protective equipment, or PPE, for students, faculty and staff.

Haskell plans to monitor the COVID surge daily, and leadership will revisit the possibility of in-person courses during the first week of February.

In the meantime, the university is preparing a plan in the event that Haskell decides to switch to fully online courses for the rest of the semester.

For now, dates for Haskell’s spring break — set for March 14-18 — and the May 13 commencement ceremony will remain unchanged. However, a decision regarding whether commencement will take place in person or virtually will be forthcoming.

Haskell’s 2020-2021 school year was entirely online because of COVID-19. At the time, the school noted that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minorities, including American Indians and Alaska Natives. Last fall its classes were a mix of in-person, hybrid and online.