As college campuses around the nation grapple with how to handle the risks of coronavirus, University of Maine System officials are encouraging staff and students to avoid traveling for spring break.

The college's spring break starts next Monday, March 16th.

To help limit potential exposures, residence halls and dining facilities will remain open so students can stay on campus.

They will not be charged room and board should they choose to not leave.

"Panic is not the order of the day. It's absolutely unnecessary even though it's a normal human thing to get very nervous about things like this that we can't control. But we know that preparation, planning, transparency, good communication...Those things are all key to maintaining a reasonable level of decorum," said Dr. Robert Dana.

Administrators say they are also preparing faculty in the event that online coursework becomes necessary.

In order to provide the university community with up to date information, a phone line has been set up and will be available around the clock.

You can dial 581-2681 to hear information about the status of classes.