Students don face coverings as they walk through the Quad on the first day of fall semester classes. (Photos by August Jennewein)

The University of Missouri–St. Louis campus was quieter than usual as it marked the first day of a new semester on Monday.

More than 60 percent of courses are being held online this fall as UMSL takes steps to protect the safety of members of the university community and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

But those who were on campus for blended classes on Monday were glad to be back, even as they were getting used to a new normal of social distancing and face coverings inside campus buildings.

Campus photographer August Jennewein was on hand to capture some of the excited faces.

Pre-engineering student Tyron Hubbard pulls down his mask to smile for the camera while studying in the Millennium Student Center.

Two students work together while separated by plexiglass in their biology lab class in the Science Learning Building.

Students spread out at separate tables inside The Nosh on the ground floor of the MSC.

Travis Tramble, a member of the custodial staff, pauses near the elevator on the ground floor of Anheuser-Busch Hall.

Senior business major Alex LaPorta, a member of the UMSL women’s basketball team, takes a break in the shade and checks her phone in the Quad after leaving her course on “Communication in the 2020 Presidential Election.”

Students jog on treadmills on the second floor of the Recreation and Wellness Center.

The statue of Wayne Goode shows off his Tritons pride by sporting an UMSL T-shirt and face covering as students stroll by on their way to class.