The plan at our college is to begin the semester online and then return to F2F if we’re able. I have two versions of my syllabi prepared, one with the policies for online and one with the policies for F2F. They’re not that different, just changes to things like testing and homework policies.

My online “starter” syllabus has a section that specifically says that we may return to F2F during the semester and students must email me during the first week of classes if coming to class in person will be a problem for them. It also says that the syllabus will be updated with policy changes at such time that we return to F2F.

Probably not time-saving, but potentially headache-saving in the event that the stars align and we are able to go back to meeting in person.