Masked faculty and students returned to campus on Monday to start fall semester. BYU’s photographers captured many of the unique classroom settings and campus adjustments in action. Browse the photo essay of the start of this historic semester. And check out the latest FAQ page at byu.edu/coronavirus, the one-stop resource for case counts and details of the fall semester policies for students, employees, and visitors to campus.

At last week’s university conference, President Kevin J Worthen encouraged faculty and staff to continue to push forward through the circumstances brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. “If we emerge from the pandemic unscathed, but unchanged, we will have missed out on the full benefit of this unique experience.” Elder Quentin L. Cook also spoke, inviting all to be sensitive in creating racial unity, being like Christ in responding to criticism, and defending religious liberty. He asked faculty and staff to maintain “a laser-like focus on our responsibility to help build faith in Jesus Christ and in His restored Church.” President and Sister Worthen will speak next Tuesday as BYU devotionals resume this fall, available on BYUtv.

Drawing from its permanent collection, the BYU Museum of Art features works by women artists from different eras and backgrounds in A Studio of Her Own. The exhibit runs through Saturday, Sept. 12. Watch the video, take a web tour, or visit in person. Museum doors are now open but with COVID-19 protocols in place.

When the pandemic surged in New York City, BYU alum and nurse Channing Voyles leaned into both the physical and emotional work as her unit at Bellevue Hospital became a COVID ICU. In this Instagram takeover, Voyles takes us along during a typical day at work, shares her daily tasks, and relates the blessings she finds in the midst of the pandemic. If Voyles looks familiar, she was on the cover of the latest BYU Magazine—read her story here.

As the 2020 U.S. elections approach and the pandemic persists, many states are considering using a mandatory vote-by-mail system as an alternative to in-person voting. But policy-makers are fiercely divided: Will voting by mail favor any one party? According to a new BYU study, probably not.

The ghost collembola, a primitive insect-like creature that has survived 30 ice ages, was rediscovered in Antarctica by a team of scientists who had been searching for it for decades. In a recent paper, BYU biology professor Byron Adams and colleagues from eight different research institutions produce genetic data from the tiny critters that corroborate estimates of past warm periods of reduced ice in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica.

Flour in her hair, Natalie Nielson casts a tired but contented look at her husband, Rex, while they package another dozen caramel pecan cinnamon rolls, one of the many items they make, bake, and deliver as part of their pandemic-inspired family business. “We had to have something to do,” she says. “We have five kids, spring in Provo was cold, I didn’t want to watch TV, and we don’t have many puzzles.” Read more about how the Nielsons and other alumni families are finding creative solutions to pandemic problems.

Hoping to find a solution for autistic children who have difficulty making eye contact, a BYU engineering capstone team and their sponsor have created glasses that display dynamic animated images on the lenses. See how this project holds the potential to help parents connect to and understand their autistic children.

BYU grad Bronwen Merrill knew she wanted to dance for Disney from the time she was 14 years old. “I had the next 10 years of my life planned out before I could even drive a car,” she says. But the dance major’s journey turned out a lot different than she expected. Learn how she finally landed her dream job at Disneyland Paris.

BYU quarterback Zach Wilson talks about how he is working to achieve his goals and dreams through hard work. Check out interviews with his parents and learn what project Wilson works on when he wants some time away from football in the new season opener of BYUtv’s Deep Blue series.

It’s finally football season. And while no fans will be in the stands to cheer on the Cougars when BYU plays Navy in four days, you can still enjoy future game broadcasts with some fun swag. Here is your chance to score a BYU Game-Watching Party Pack. One entry per person, please.