The University of Michigan is preparing to welcome back faculty, staff and students for a fall semester more familiar to faculty, staff and students after the past year and a half have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Record compiled a special section of things to know as the semester gets underway.

Faculty members approach new year with guarded sense of hope

Faculty members interviewed for this story say they’re looking forward to interacting with students in classrooms again instead of over laptop screens. Some plan to incorporate lessons they learned over the past year into their teaching, while also acknowledging the uncertainties that still exist as the pandemic continues.

A look at campus preparations for a more normal fall semester

From students returning to classrooms, to staff working in offices, to fans returning to Michigan Stadium, life at U-M should feel a bit more normal this fall. Here’s a look at some of the ways the campus has been preparing for the safe return of students and more in-person operations.

Faculty governance chair looks ahead to the coming year

Looking forward to the coming academic year, Allen Liu, associate professor of mechanical engineering and 2021-22 chair of U-M’s central faculty governance system, answered questions about topics ranging from his top priorities to what he sees as SACUA’s role in the university’s decision-making processes.

Schools and colleges preparing for more traditional fall semester

U-M will welcome back students for a fall semester more historically familiar to Ann Arbor’s 19 schools and colleges as well as at Dearborn and Flint. The Record asked schools and colleges to share some aspect of the coming year they’d like to highlight, within the context of moving on after the pandemic’s restrictions.

A look at major campus projects under construction

As the university continues to move out of its pandemic-imposed restrictions, construction on major projects is picking up around campus. Here’s a look at major projects underway.

Helping employees thrive in the workplace

There are a variety of university programs to help U-M employees nurture their careers, health and emotional well-being. Here are some ways U-M faculty and staff can pursue their goals and seek support outside of the cubicle, and hear from professionals about how health and well-being can be an integral part of the workplace.