Penn State University will suspend classroom instruction when its spring break concludes this week and begin offering all classes, seminars and labs remotely, starting Monday as a precautionary step in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The university said on Wednesday it will continue to offer all classes using online delivery methods through April 3 with a plan to resume in-person classes at its campus locations on April 6, at the earliest. This announcement doesn’t apply to the medical school or Penn College of Technology.

No known cases of coronavirus have been reported at any of the university’s campuses at this time.

In a letter from university President Eric Barron posted on the university’s website, he states students are “strongly discouraged” from returning to campus, off-campus locations, apartments and fraternities during this time period.

Residence halls and dining facilities will not be open during the remote-learning period with an exception for those that are already in use. Further, Barron said students who need to retrieve belongings in the meantime should contact their campus housing office.

Accommodations are being made for international students already on campus as well as those who must return to campus for some extenuating or compelling circumstance, Barron said.

The university is going to make accommodations for students who do not have access to a computer and/or internet from their home or alternate location to take their classes during the remote-learning period.

On-campus student-sponsored events and activities are postponed until April 6, at the earliest.

Further, Barron said all non-essential events should be canceled, rescheduled or offered virtually through that date regardless of the number of people expected to attend. Essential events that are expected to draw more than 50 people are required to obtain approval of university Provost. Nick Jones.

While noting that there are more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, including 15 in Pennsylvania based on the latest information, Barron said, “the best mechanism for prevention based on advice from experts is social distancing, and unfortunately that is very difficult in a university setting. We fully understand these changes will cause disruptions in your day-to-day lives.”

He emphasized this decision was made with the health and well-being of the university community in mind.

“If there was ever a ‘We Are’ moment, this is it,” Barron said. “We need to come together in the full spirit of the phrase, support one another and stand up for what we believe: The importance of community.”

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN PENNSYLVANIA: Click to see where cases of the coronavirus are in Pennsylvania are located.



Earlier in the week, Ohio State University said it was immediately suspending all face-to-face instruction until at least March 30 on its campuses as that state continues to react to the first cases of coronavirus in Ohio. It said that includes face-to-face instruction in lectures, discussion sections, seminars and other classroom settings. It was evaluating whether to continue laboratory and performance classes.

This post was updated to include more information from President Barron’s letter.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.

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