Queen’s University has decided to suspend undergraduate classes next week as its faculty members prepare to provide classes by other means until the end of the academic year due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The decision was an attempt to help us control the way in which we could deal with the concerns of our university community and play an appropriate role in the public health management of the coronavirus issue,” Queen’s principal and vice-chancellor Patrick Deane said Friday afternoon.

He later added, “Think of it as a hiatus.”

The plan is to take the next week to work out how exactly all of the various undergraduate classes, programs and exams will be provided while reducing the risk of spreading the virus.

Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Public Health was informed of the university’s decision on Friday morning, and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Keiran Moore believes it is a prudent move.

“They have done this in an abundance of caution,” Moore told the Whig-Standard. “Again, there has been no community spread at all. We have done many tests of Queen’s students and faculty. Other universities and colleges are doing the same, and I think it’s reasonable to prepare for the eventuality of us having COVID-19 in our community.”

Other universities have moved courses online, but that means every student needs access to the necessary equipment.

“We will find a way to ensure everyone has access,” Deane promised. “It’s quite obvious that there are disparities in students’ access to the kind of IT hardware that would be necessary.

“We’re very mindful of that and we’ll absolutely ensure that every student has access to their studies in a way that they can be successful.”

Aside from mass gatherings, under which massive undergraduate lectures fall, the university will operate as usual, “the university is not closing down,” Deane said. “We’re simply suspending in-person classes amongst undergrads, with the exception of health-care professional programs.”

Patrick Deane, @QueensPrincipal, further urging students and residents to not participate in unsanctioned #StPatricksDay street parties. #ygk pic.twitter.com/eJ7JjpNhxx — Steph Crosier (@StephattheWhig) March 13, 2020

He said it was too soon to say whether there will be layoffs in the support sector of the university and whether convocation season will continue as usual.

“There’s not a part of our operations that will not be affected by this,” Deane said.

Normal administrative operations will ensure information is getting out, and research and its health professional programs will soldier on. Student residences will remain open next week, though students are free to return home while classes are cancelled.

In a message to parents, Deane said the university is committed to ensuring students have a full academic year despite recent challenges.

“We have to take these measures, and in those circumstances, we’re going to put in place all the appropriate measures to help students succeed,” Deane said. “The students’ health and safety is a primary consideration, and their academic success is equally important to us.”

Deane admitted that every post-secondary institution taking these precautions will take a financial hit. He said that during next week’s discussions, Queen’s will have to decide where to make costly investments in technology and other resources.

“The university has worked to adapt to change, but here we have change being accelerated by health considerations, and it’s a very significant change,” Deane said. “I have every confidence that the university will be creative and the faculty will be creative in new ways to assess students and new ways to offer courses.

“Technology will be used in different ways, but no, this is not a simple process at all.”

scrosier@postmedia.com

twitter.com/StephattheWhig

ahale@postmedia.com

twitter.com/alan_s_hale