As thousands of students returned from spring break at the University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College, it wasn't college as usual.

UNR, TMCC and Nevada's five other public colleges jumped into remote learning Monday in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Both campuses were empty. At UNR, students were moving out of residence halls, told to find other housing.

Spring break, UNR President Marc Johnson wrote in a letter sent out on the first day of classes, "has meant anything but a break for you, our students, faculty and staff.

"Our institution has had to quickly pivot in the face of the challenges presented by coronavirus."

For at least 30 days, UNR and TMCC will deliver classes online.

Johnson praised the sacrifice being made by faculty and students, some of whom will finish the last few weeks of college with the fear of canceled graduation ceremonies.

UNR spokesperson Kerri Garcia Hendricks said faculty were given Monday and Tuesday to ease into online procedures.

At TMCC, virtual classrooms welcomed back students from break. On Monday more than 400 classes that were previously scheduled in classrooms were delivered online. An additional 400 classes at TMCC were already online courses.

"So far so good," said TMCC Associate Vice President Elena Bubnova.

"As of right now, we are hearing positive reports of video conferencing and other technology working well, faculty being extremely resourceful and creative to deliver courses to students remotely and students are feeling positive about being back in school, even if their classes do not look the same."

Bubnova said TMCC was working with students who didn't have access to technology and in some cases were loaning out laptops.

TMCC said it has unique challenges including how to do some courses online including career and technical classes such as welding.

Bubnova said the plan is to do lectures for those classes now and move labs and more hands-on courses to later in the semester or into summer.

UNR President search on hold

According to the Nevada System of Higher Education, the governing body over the state's public colleges, the search for UNR's next president is on hold.

Applications or UNR's top post were originally due Monday, with public meeting on campus with finalists starting in April.

Johnson, who has been at the helm of the growing institution for eight years, announced in October he would retire but continue to teach. His last day as president is June 30.

There is no new application deadline, yet, according to NSHE Spokesperson Francis McCabe.

While Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said there was a state hiring freeze, hiring essential positions can still occur for the UNR President, McCabe said.

The search for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas President and for a Chancellor are also on hold.

Siobhan McAndrew tells stories about the people of Northern Nevada and covers education in Washoe County. Read her journalism right here. Consider supporting her work by subscribing to the Reno Gazette Journal.