Kentucky's largest universities are canceling in-person classes because of the coronavirus, and one has decided to clear out its campus completely.

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The University of Louisville announced Wednesday that it is extending online classes and instruction for the rest of the spring semester, which goes until April 28.

Final exams will be conducted remotely, the university said.

U of L is asking all students to move out of residence halls by March 29, and the university said it will work to accommodate students who have nowhere else to go.

The school said it will offer "grab-and-go dining options and other services through the semester." U of L had previously extended its spring break by a few days and made initial plans to deliver classes remotely between March 18 and April 5.

U of L's spring commencement ceremony is also postponed, with all spring graduates invited to a December 2020 commencement ceremony. Spring conferral will remain May 9, and "students approved to graduate this spring will be awarded the degrees and certificates they have earned at that time," the university said.

Professional schools with separate graduation celebrations are also exploring creative alternatives, such as virtual events, the University of Louisville said, adding that updated information on housing meal plan credits or refunds is available online at uofl.me/covid-19.

"We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work to ensure the safety of our UofL family. We are a uniquely resilient community," the university said in a statement. "We’ll get through this tumultuous time and come out the other side a stronger, more unified university."

University of Kentucky had announced last week instruction will transition to online or other alternatives on March 23 and last through April 3, but it changed plans this week and said online instruction will continue for the rest of the spring semester.

The university told students in an email Tuesday that they are required to return to their homes unless they receive approval to remain on campus.

The email said UK is developing a process for refunds for housing and dining. Graduation commencement is postponed.

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Berea College said last week that it will stop holding classes on campus at the end of this week and wants students to move out of their dorm rooms. But some students who might have a hard time returning home are allowed to apply for continuing accommodations, President Lyle Roelofs said.

Similar provisions are in place at Murray State University and at Bellarmine University, with the Catholic uinversity in Louisville announcing Wednesday that on-campus classes would be suspended from Thursday to March 18, when classes will resume online.

Though the school is asking students living in residence halls to travel home during the online learning period, which the school projects to end April 1, spokesman Jason Cissell told The Courier Journal that the university has an online form students can fill out "if leaving campus will present a hardship."

"We anticipate having some of those and will provide full services to students who are approved to stay," Cissell said.

At Western Kentucky University, spring break, which started last week, will be extended through March 22. From March 23 through April 5, the university will "transition face-to-face classroom delivery to an alternate delivery format," President Timothy Caboni said in a note to the WKU community.

The school is encouraging students to remain at home, but residence halls will open at noon Sunday for those who need to return to campus.

Along with canceling in-person classes and shifting to online learning, both UK and U of L moved to suspend university-related international travel, while WKU is suspending "all but mission-critical, University-funded travel, both international and domestic," according to Caboni.

Beshear:All Kentucky K-12 schools should be prepared to close

University of Louisville

Status: In-person classes canceled, remote learning for the remainder of spring semester. Students must move out of residence halls by March 29. Spring commencement is postponed.

Spring break: March 9-17

Statement: "We understand that these restrictions will cause significant inconvenience for many of you. Please know that we do not make these restrictions and recommendations lightly. I am convinced that these measures are essential to preserve the health and well-being of all members of our University community and all citizens of the Commonwealth." — Neeli Bendapudi, president

University of Kentucky

Status: In-person classes canceled for the rest of the semester. Spring commencement is postponed.

Spring break: March 16-21

Statement: "The health, safety, and well-being of everyone on our campus is our relentless priority at all times. The coronavirus (COVID-19) is already proving to be an unprecedented disruption to our University, Lexington community, Commonwealth, and world. The course it will take is uncertain, but the days and weeks ahead will be even more challenging." — Eli Capilouto, president

Western Kentucky University

Status: In-person classes canceled for remainder of semester, with remote learning starting on March 23. Spring commencement is postponed.

Spring break: March 9-22

Statement: "As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves, WKU continues to monitor aggressively the situation as it unfolds. We have for weeks been holding extensive internal discussions and developing a wide range of contingency plans to make preparations that best protect our WKU Community and also the broader communities in which we live. It is now necessary to activate a portion of those plans." — Timothy Caboni, president

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Bellarmine University

Status: In-person classes canceled for the remainder of semester, with online classes starting on March 18. Spring commencement is postponed.

Spring break: March 2-8

Statement: "I know that this situation will cause some stress and uncertainty. Please bear with us as we navigate this complicated and unprecedented interruption of campus life. The health of our students is paramount, and I appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work to make these changes as smoothly as possible." — Susan Donovan, president

Jefferson Community and Technical College

Status: Jefferson announced March 25 that all classes would shift online for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. With the last day of instruction being May 2, online and remote assessment will take place during the regular exam week of May 4 – 10.

The 2020 Commencement ceremony has been postponed with a decision on a new date to come later this spring, according to a news release. Student support services will continue to be provided virtually until the college reopens on a regular schedule.

Northern Kentucky University

Status: In-person classes canceled, remote learning starting on March 23.

Spring break: March 9-21

Statement: "We understand this announcement will generate questions. Please be assured we are here to support our students, faculty and staff. Many aspects of the Coronavirus are out of our hands, but we are committed to ensuring our students stay on track toward their planned graduation dates." — Ashish Vaidya, president

Eastern Kentucky University

Status: In-person classes canceled from March 16 to 20, remote learning starting on March 23 through April 3.

Spring break: March 9-13

Statement: "I ask for your patience, wisdom and guidance as we work through this public health situation together. We must be united, which requires tolerance, understanding, and a willingness to do what is right for our campus and community." — David McFaddin, interim president

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Simmons College of Kentucky

Status: In-person classes canceled from March 16 to 20, updates to come for alternative learning.

Spring break: March 9-15

Statement: "Currently, the college is undergoing a deep cleaning to sanitize the buildings, and we will be using additional practices to minimize the spread of any disease. " — Krystal Goodner, spokeswoman

Kentucky State University

Status: No change in regular schedule.

Spring break: March 9-14

Statement: "Let’s approach this with common sense, precaution, medical advice, and not through social media, rumor, or unconfirmed stories." — M. Christopher Brown II, president

Murray State University

Status: In-person classes canceled for the remainder of semester, with online/alternative instruction to begin March 23. Spring commencement, initially scheduled for May 9, is postponed.

Spring break: March 16-20

Statement: "Your health and safety are of the utmost importance to us as we continue to proactively monitor developments and make decisions associated with the Coronavirus." — Bob Jackson, president

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Transylvania University

Status: In-person classes canceled, remote learning from March 23 through April 3

Spring break: March 9-20

Statement: "Over the next few days, the university will continue to communicate directly with students, faculty, staff and the community with additional details."

Morehead State University

Status: In-person classes canceled, remote learning from March 23 through April 3.

Spring break: March 16-20

Statement: "We pledge to work through this as seamlessly and as compassionately as possible, and always keeping our students’ interest in mind." — Jay Morgan, president

Spalding University

Status: Classes to move to online on March 16 with a tentative return to physical classes on April 6.

Statement: "We recognize the potential hardship this could cause to our campus community and we appreciate your patience and support as we work through this together." — Tori Murden McClure, president.

Sullivan University

Status: Delay the start of spring term to April 6, cancel spring graduation

Statement: "At the present time, Sullivan University is not aware of any faculty, staff, student or guest who has tested positive for COVID-19. Regardless, Sullivan University will continue with its increased disinfection efforts for as long as necessary. These changes are designed to help minimize any potential transmission, while ensuring the integrity of academic expectations, standards and requirements." — Jay Marr, president and CEO

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Status: All classes and operations are continuing as scheduled.

Statement: "We are aware that other colleges/universities in our state have decided to switch to solely online learning for the time being. At this time there are no reported cases of coronavirus on our campus, and all classes and operations will continue as scheduled this week." — Louisville Seminary Emergency Response Team

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College

Status: No on-campus classes on Thursday, March 12, or Friday, March 13. Starting March 16, all classes will be online for the remainder of the spring semester.

Statement: "I'm so thankful for every minute we have on this campus ... but the responsibility now falls to us as the request is being made directly to us by state government ... and right now, love of neighbor means that we are going to have to interrupt the way we do theological education and college education." — Albert Mohler Jr., president

Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Status: In-person classes canceled for three schools (BCTC, GCTC, ECTC), shifting to online classes March 22 to April 4 for the first two and March 18 through March 27 for the last one.

Statement: “College faculty and staff understand the current state of emergency and have been preparing for several weeks to continue instruction while meeting community health needs. This preparation includes determining how classes can be delivered if traditional on-site education is no longer an option.”— Jay Box, president

Campbellsville University

Status: Moving to online classes from March 16 to March 27.

Statement: "While Kentucky is a low risk state and there is no known case of COVID-19 on our campus or regional centers, we believe steps are in order." — Michael Carter, president

Centre College

Status: Moving to online classes from April 6 to end of the semester

Statement: "The rapidly developing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic requires all of us in higher education to act responsibly based on the particular characteristics of our own institutions." — John Roush, president

Indiana University (including Indiana University Southeast)

Status: Move to online classes from March 30 to end of the semester

Statement: "These are extraordinary times. I know how very difficult and deeply disappointing these steps will be for many students, staff and faculty. We profoundly regret having to arrive at this place, as I know that it means further disruption for all of you and your families." — Michael A. McRobbie, president

Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.com and 502-582-4181 or follow on Twitter @TobinBen. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: subscribe.courier-journal.com.