MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State University on Wednesday canceled in-person classes for the rest of spring semester in response to growing concern with the coronavirus that is now a global pandemic.

Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns announced on Wednesday night the university was halting face-to-face instruction as well as suspending from March 16 until April 30 all university- sponsored or -funded events involving 100 people or more.

No decision had been made yet on commencement this spring.

At this time, students are not being directed to leave campus, and university services and offices will remain open.

Local health and school officials were shooting down rumors and hoaxes Wednesday claiming that factory workers, a teacher at one Delaware County school and a student at another were infected, or that a Ball State residence hall had been quarantined. Local and state health officials have announced the locations of Indiana residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, and none of those had been in Muncie or Delaware County.

Here is President Mearns' complete statement:

"I write to inform you of additional steps our University is taking to respond to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. We are not currently aware of any reported cases of COVID-19 at Ball State, but it is likely the virus will spread to our community. As we continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation, I recommend that we take the following steps to help protect all members of our campus community."

Classes

"Beginning Monday, March 16, we will suspend all in-person classes for the duration of the Spring semester. In-person classes will be replaced with virtual instruction and other alternative learning options.

"Susana Rivera-Mills, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, will soon provide additional information to the academic deans about the virtual instruction and alternative learning options. Deans, department chairs, and faculty instructors will also communicate specific information about their courses to our students.

"At this time, we are not directing students to leave campus, and University services and offices will remain open."

Events

"From March 16 until April 30, we are suspending all University- sponsored/funded events of 100 people or more. Event organizers should consider conducting events via alternative technologies. If an event organizer believes that a particular event is essential to fulfilling our mission, that organizer can request an exception from the appropriate Vice President. Vice Presidents will carefully consider whether to grant exceptions based on the best interests of our campus community. It is my expectation that exceptions will only be granted in rare circumstances.

"At this point, we hope to host Commencement ceremonies, but we will make a final decision at a later date.

"For events that are presently scheduled to be held on our campus and that are not University-sponsored/funded, we will consult with outside organizations to determine whether we will permit them to use Ball State facilities for their events, and if so, under what conditions.

"We will continue to monitor athletic activities, practices, and competitions in coordination with the Commissioner of the Mid-American Conference, the NCAA, and other member institutions."

Meetings

"While the University remains open, I encourage every member of the campus community to conduct meetings virtually whenever possible."

For Faculty, Staff, and Operations:

"Our employees are essential to ensuring the University is able to maintain operations in a safe and responsible manner. We will continue to monitor conditions and make decisions about alternative work arrangements for our faculty and staff as needed."

International Travel

"We have suspended all University-sponsored/funded international travel until further notice. An employee can request and exception from the appropriate Vice President. I expect that exceptions will only be granted in rare circumstances."

Domestic Travel

"Until further notice, we are suspending University-sponsored/funded domestic travel for faculty, staff, and students, including travel throughout the state of Indiana, unless a Vice President or Dean approves of an exception. When making a decision about travel, our Vice Presidents and Deans will consider the destination, reason, duration of travel, and how important it is to our University’s mission."

"I provide this guidance to our campus community in order to help slow and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We understand these steps will cause significant disruption, but we must act in a responsible manner consistent with our University values.

"I appreciate your understanding, patience, and flexibility during this time. Together, we will manage the challenges posed by COVID-19."

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

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► Keep up with the latest coronavirus news with this newsletter

►Local churches prepare for coronavirus

►Convention Center, Cornerstone YMCA, Civic Theatre get ready for COVID-19

In advance of Mearns' announcement, criticism on social media Wednesday afternoon noted that Indiana and Purdue universities as well as the University of Notre Dame already had joined a growing list of colleges nationwide that had announced plans to shut down.

Indiana University announced it will suspend in-person classes on all campuses for two weeks after spring break, which is scheduled for next week, March 15-22. In-person instruction on IU campuses will continue this week. For the two weeks following the break, students will be taught remotely.

Purdue University will indefinitely suspend in-person classes at its flagship West Lafayette campus after spring break, which is scheduled for next week, March 15-22. In-person instruction will continue this week.

The University of Notre Dame has announced that it is suspending all in-person classes on campus March 23-April 13.

Unlike those schools, Ball State has already finished its spring break, with classes resuming this week. BSU did already cancel trips abroad.

Contact Seth Slabaugh at 765-213-5834 or seths@muncie.gannett.com