“Put simply, UVa has never encountered something quite like this,” President Jim Ryan said in the memo. “There is no roadmap for trying to put most of the university curriculum online in a week.”

Ryan emphasized that the university and its hospital will remain open, and that students who cannot return home will be able to stay in university housing. He also said that students on financial aid who need help returning to their hometowns will receive financial assistance.

Students who are away on Spring Break are strongly encouraged to return home or to remain home if they are already there; students who are in town are strongly encouraged to return home by this weekend. People who need to return to UVa to collect belongings will be able to do so.

Ellie Brasacchio, the Student Council president, said she respects the university’s decision but said she wishes students had been more involved the the decision process and feels there are many more details that still need to be explained.

“The biggest question that Student Council will be asking the university administration is how this will affect student workers and contracted employees, like those working in the dining hall,” she said. “We are advocating that all workers receive paid sick leave, including student and contracted workers.”