@brighamyounguniversity

Winter semester news: BYU plans to continue with an in-person winter semester with the same modes of instruction as the current fall semester (remote, in-person and hybrid classes). This is subject to change depending on trends in disease prevalence and guidance from state and local governments. You can begin adding winter semester classes to registration carts now. Priority registration runs October 19–23. Winter semester classes will begin January 11 and end April 14. BYU is delaying the start of winter semester by a week to allow more time between the holidays and the first day of classes. The academic calendar will continue as previously scheduled, including holidays and exam preparation day.

Tighter than expected, but BYU gets past UTSA with a 27-20 win to move to 4-0.

Join Taggart as he explores anechoic chambers and conducts research alongside NASA in this takeover. Meet new friends at BYU Student Voice as you learn how to get involved in the BYU community. Soak up autumnal scenes by hiking alongside Taggart and watching him photograph fall in Utah. @tagg_durrant

Peace out to week No. 6 of this semester. Wish your 3rd @ a happy weekend.

In a time when therapy and the importance of self care is on a lot of our minds, sit down with Lexi in this takeover. As a graduate student studying marriage and family therapy, Lexi offers advice on how to have meaningful relationships and where to find emotional support, answering a lot of questions she got throughout the day. Get a glimpse into her classes and learn about how race and culture play a part in therapy. @lexi.oehler

Leaping into a 3-0 record, the Cougs beat Louisiana Tech 45-14 with another dominant effort.

It’s Friday. The fall weather’s amazing. You’re living your best BYU life (considering the conditions). COVID case counts are looking slightly better (PLEASE keep staying vigilant in wearing a mask and following safety requirements). It’s a @byufootball game day as the Cougars look to stay undefeated with a matchup tonight against Louisiana Tech on ESPN2. And most importantly … we have a chance to sit at the feet of prophets, apostles and inspired leaders this weekend for . In a time when peace and guidance and inspiration is sorely needed for us all, we hope you’ll all be able to make tuning into conference a priority and can have an uplifting and impactful experience. There’s a lot to be stressed and concerned about right now, but there is also a lot to be excited about and thankful for. We love you, Cougs. Have the best weekend.

In this Spotlight, BYU nursing student @elladuce_ talks about a tweet of hers that ended up going super viral, “mask-ne” and her ultimate motivation behind wearing a mask, despite the inconveniences and annoyances of doing so.

Another dominant outing as the Cougs move to 2-0 with a 48-7 W over Troy in the home opener.

Fall is here. Dots of orange, red and yellow are gracing Y Mountain. Make sure you take some breaks and get out to enjoy this weather, Cougars, but please do so responsibly, with your roommates and following physical distancing requirements and guidelines. Take a look in our story today for a bunch of crowdsourced suggestions from BYU students and insight from world-renowned expert on social connection and health, BYU professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, about how to stay socially connected while physically distancing and why that’s so important.

In response to recent COVID-19 trends in our county, the following joint letter has been sent this morning to all BYU and UVU students from President Worthen and President Tuminez: Dear Students, As the presidents of the two largest universities in the state of Utah, we are grateful that we have been able to open our student facilities and offer face-to-face classes this fall semester. We thank those who have been compliant with the safety guidelines that have been put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we are greatly concerned about the dramatic rise in positive cases of COVID-19 in Utah County, particularly among college students. This is both alarming and unacceptable.    We’re concerned not only for your well-being, but also those in the local community who are affected by the trends we’ve seen in the last week. Behavior must change. We implore you to stay home except for in-person classes, work, church, and other essentials. We ask that you limit your social interactions to only those within your household and avoid small gatherings where individuals aren’t wearing masks or maintaining physical distance. If you’re feeling sick, stay home. If you've had a known exposure to the virus, may test positive for the virus or are awaiting a test result, follow the quarantine guidelines of state and local health officials. We expect you to follow all safety requirements on campus and all state and local mandates off campus. If circumstances do not improve within the next two weeks, more dramatic action will be necessary. This may include a two-week quarantine, closing campuses to the public or a complete retreat to all-remote instruction for the rest of the semester.   Please be wise. Your individual choices will make all the difference.    Sincerely, Kevin J Worthen, BYU President Astrid S. Tuminez, UVU President

Go behind the scenes with Jenesis, a member of BYU’s COVID-19 content tracing team in this Instagram story takeover. Tune in to a special Q&A where Jenesis and her contact tracer co-workers answer your questions about when and where to test for COVID. Watch her bust myths about masks, testing and quarantine while learning about how you can keep your loved ones safe. @jen.hiltscher