More Universities Suspend Classes Amid Virus Concerns
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThree more Hoosier universities have joined a growing list of schools to suspend in-person classes due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The latest, which include the University of Notre Dame, the University of Evansville, and the University of Indianapolis, each say the move is being made out of an abundance of caution.
Notre Dame, which is currently on spring break, says its suspension will last until at least April 13. The university has cancelled classes – in person and online – for next week to allow time for faculty and students to adjust to virtual instruction. The South Bend campus remains open.
The university says there are no known cases of coronavirus on campus, but President John Jenkins said the school needed to be prudent.
“After a great deal of deliberation and consultation with experts, with all members of our community’s health and well-being in mind, I’ve decided that the University will take several steps to reduce the likelihood of transmission of the virus,” said Jenkins. “Although there are currently no reported cases of the coronavirus at Notre Dame, the probability that it will spread to our region is high.”
The university has encouraged its students to return home following spring break instead of returning to campus. Undergraduate residence halls will be open only to students who receive approval to remain on campus.
Notre Dame has also suspended all study-abroad programs and is bringing students and U.S.-based faculty and staff home as soon as possible.
University of Evansville President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz announced late Wednesday his decision to extend the university’s spring break through March 17 and move all courses to online instruction beginning the following day. He says the online classes will continue through at least March 27.
“Over the course of the last few weeks, we have implemented a variety of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have determined that further proactive steps are necessary,” said Pietruszkiewicz. “We understand that these measures will undoubtedly cause inconvenience and disruption, but the inconvenience and disruption are outweighed by the risks of inaction by the University. I wish to thank our campus community for their patience and collaboration in keeping our campus and community safe.”
UE is asking all students who are not currently on campus to stay home. All residential students, including those in fraternity houses and village units, are being asked to vacate university housing and return home.
All university buildings on the Evansville campus will remain closed to students and university-sponsored or affiliated international travel is being suspended until further notice.
The University of Indianapolis is also extending its spring break for students through March 22. Like its counterparts in South Bend and Evansville, UIndy will move in-person classroom work to online instruction beginning March 23.
“In our conversations with public health experts, we have learned important perspectives on actions that we should take now to try and diminish the continued spread of the disease and to do our part to protect the most vulnerable members of our community,” President Robert Manuel said Wednesday on the university website. “It is imperative that we minimize the possibility of transmission and limit the possibility of ‘community spread’ through new actions on our campus.”
The Indianapolis campus will remain open.
Butler University late Wednesday also announced it is extending its spring break through March 18 and transitioning to virtual classes through at least April 4. The Indianapolis campus will remain open.
“Let me assure the community that I, personally, along with other leaders across campus, understand that these actions will cause inconvenience and disruption,” said Butler President James Danko. “However, we believe these precautionary actions are necessary to protect the Butler community.”
Ball State University joined the list of universities taking action. President Geoffrey Mearns said Wednesday the university will suspend in-person classes starting March 16 and switch to virtual learning and “other alternative learning options.”
“At this time, we are not directing students to leave campus, and University services and offices will remain open,” said Mearns.
The move by the universities follows Indiana University and Purdue University, each of which detailed their plans to move to online instruction on Tuesday.