Michigan State University and Wayne State University are actively planning for a near-future that could leave all face-to-face classes cancelled, both universities told the Free Press.

Other Michigan universities, including the University of Michigan, are also carefully putting together plans if the coronavirus virus shows up in Michigan and forces the cancellation of large-scale gatherings, including classes.

"MSU is actively planning for online classes and options," MSU spokeswoman Emily Guerrant told the Free Press. "That includes providing faculty with necessary support, both in terms of technology and also personnel support, to make the transition from in-class scenarios to online.

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"We’re also evaluating how that works for our medical, lab, vet program and other graduate-related projects. In some instances, this is a case-by-case evaluation. In addition to faculty, units at MSU are examining their business continuity plans for how any modified operations may impact non-faculty areas as well.

"Obviously the issue is very fluid and we are monitoring daily for how the virus might affect mid-Michigan or our campus."

Wayne State University has put together a committee to study the move and get the pieces in place, spokesman Matt Lockwood said.

Over the weekend and on Monday, several universities across the nation announced the suspension of classes, including Princeton University, the University of Washington, Stanford University and Columbia University.

The switch to online instruction across the country has come largely at schools either located in areas where the virus has been confirmed or where faculty/students have tested positive for the virus.

Eastern Michigan University is running classes as normal, but a group of students and faculty that spent spring break on a study abroad trip in Italy have been told to self-quarantine.

"We are planning for various scenarios in what is a very fluid and rapidly evolving situation," said EMU spokesman Geoff Larcom. "Our actions have been and will continue to be in coordination and with guidance from public health officials."

At U-M, much the same work is going on, spokeswoman Kim Broekhuizen said.

"The university is actively partnering with local, county and state public health officials and our own experts at Michigan Medicine on the evolving virus," she told the Free Press. "There are daily meetings to assess the latest information and recommendations from the CDC and we are exploring all options — should they be needed."

Contact David Jesse: 313-222-8851 or djesse@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @reporterdavidj