× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

Iowa’s largest public universities will “move as quickly as possible” toward online classes because of concern over the coronavirus.

The Iowa Board of Regents directed the three — Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa — to “prepare for this eventuality this week,” said a notice from the regents’ office in Urbandale, Iowa. The Iowa system has spring break next week.

The directive said specific information about moving all classes online will be given to the institutions by Thursday morning.

Colleges throughout the Midwest and nation are gearing up to give all courses off-campus, using computer technology. Iowa’s statement Tuesday was more definitive than many.