Vol State Community College announced Thursday it would cancel classes for all of its campuses for an extended spring break the week of March 16 as a precautionary measure to the coronavirus, COVID-19, but faculty and staff are still expected to report in person.

That has many on edge, concerned that they or their families could be at a heightened risk of the virus, which reached a pandemic level this week.

Gov. Bill Lee declared a state of emergency Thursday. And at least 26 Tennesseans have now tested positive for the virus.

But the college president, noting that there have been no confirmed cases on or around campus, said there are policies and procedures in place detailing how employees can take leave for sickness.

“Our primary goal is the health and safety (of) both students and faculty and staff,” Jerry Faulkner said Friday.

“I do understand there are some fears,” Faulkner said. “Some of them (faculty and staff) feel like they have underlying health issues that would make them more susceptible” to the coronavirus.

Responding to The Tennessean’s question about whether it’s true that employees could face sanctions for not reporting to work in person, Faulkner said he planned to meet later that day with human resources “to determine how best to work with those people and what we can do for them."

“I don’t anticipate firing anybody because they don’t come to work,” he said.

Faulkner explained that all faculty and staff are asked to report to campus for a regular workweek March 16-21 for planning, to meet in small groups in their divisions and make plans to convert all classes to an online format for the short term, or possibly the remainder of the semester.

Associate Professor of Communication Leonard Assante said in an email to the Tennessean that although he has "no doubt that coming to our campus for most people is a safe thing to do," he doesn't consider himself among most people.

Based on what he's read and a conversation with his doctor, Assante believes "that people like me in high-risk categories," and should limit interactions with others.

"As a person in a high risk category I of course am concerned whenever I leave my house during this time," he said. "I'm trying to minimize close social interaction, but I will be at work on Monday as required. I feel the college is as safe as anyplace else and that I will work in my office alone for the most part. I am part of the team and will do my part to make sure our students get the education they deserve."

The Tennessean contacted several Vol State faculty members for comment. Many did not respond or declined.

"I want to say that from what I know from my communication with my colleagues, that we are all united in wanting to do what is best for our students, making sure they are safe, but still learning," Assante said. "I personally fully support the extended spring break for students so that faculty and staff can have time to undertake the massive task of converting face to face courses to online delivery."

He also noted that faculty had a voice in the conversation via the Speaker of the Faculty Council, who represents faculty interests on the President's Cabinet. Assante and other members submitted their input, he said.

He also believes faculty has been kept informed and "we will all learn from this rather unique experience.

Although some may be “experts” at online education and might feel confident performing responsibilities remotely, others who are less experienced will need mentoring, Faulkner said of the decision to require all faculty and staff to report to campus.

"I expect to be careful this coming week on campus and do as much work as possible remotely," Assante wrote. "The college has provided us with the technology and support to be productive from home. We've been told the need to come to work on campus is to help each other out as we prepare for when classes start again.

"I'm not sure why I personally need to be physically present to do my job and to assist others get up to speed, but I as I said, I trust the admin has our health and safety in mind. Perhaps I will understand more on Monday when we meet."

Vol State officials plan to reopen to provide instruction beginning March 23.

“I think probably Vol State is the safest place in Sumner County right now,” Faulkner said. “Folks have been working diligently to get things clean,” including switching to an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, disinfecting keyboards and other “high-use areas multiple times per day,” and other precautionary measures.

“But should there be a confirmed case ... we will go to the next level,” Faulkner said. “All classes will be handled online.

“(We’re) trying to figure out at this point, where the risk is low, how to continue to serve students when the risk increases,” he said.

Vol State canceled all classes, including online classes, and all campus events March 16-21. Offices will be closed to the public March 16 for planning purposes, and employees are expected to report to the Gallatin campus at 8:30 a.m., according to a news release issued Thursday.

That release noted that many in-person classes will transition online beginning March 23, and students should expect emails to student and eLearn accounts for details. Some labs will continue meeting on campus with precautionary measures in place. Priority class registration for summer and fall courses is still slated for April 6 and 7 on MyVolState for current students. Potential students can apply online, according to the release.

The college has set up a webpage for further information.

“We are not sure of the duration for this change to online learning,” the release states. “It will depend on public health conditions.

“We know that these changes will be challenging,” it continues. “We appreciate everyone working together to make them happen. Our goal is to continue our academic endeavors while taking the proper health precautions.”

Kelly Fisher can be reached at KPFisher@gannett.com, 615-801-3866 or on Twitter at@KellyPFisher.