The Church Educational System (CES) has students around the world and higher education campuses in three states. CES is deeply interested in the health, education and spiritual growth of each of these students and those who serve them. Concerns related to COVID-19 have impacted every part of society, including education. After careful consideration of the present circumstances, the leadership of CES has adopted temporary guidelines which will be effective March 16, 2020. (Also see the latest information about how COVID-19 is impacting Latter-day Saints around the world.)

The following applies to CES institutions of higher education:

Large Gatherings

There will be no gathering for large events such as commencements, convocations, devotionals, conferences, public lectures, performances and concerts. These events may be cancelled, streamed, or recorded and posted for on-demand use, as determined by leadership at each institution. Brigham Young University will make decisions regarding athletic events.

Classes and Small Gatherings

Courses will continue, though faculty are encouraged to be flexible and consider remote alternatives when providing instruction. Each institution is asked to consider local circumstances and guidelines from public health and government agencies and comply with those directions.

BYU (Updated March 12)

Consistent with the CES guidelines issued last night, BYU has made the following decisions:

Classes

Classes on March 13, 16 and 17 are cancelled. All courses at BYU, including its Salt Lake Center, will resume March 18 through remote instruction. Some courses cannot reasonably meet remotely, such as lab courses or performance-based courses. College deans will communicate with departments about any specific exceptions.

Travel home

BYU encourages students to consider leaving campus and returning home to finish winter semester through remote coursework. We recognize individual circumstances may not allow this. Services and on-campus housing will continue to be available for those who choose to remain.

BYU–Hawaii (Updated March 12)

Remote Classes

BYU–Hawaii will begin teaching all classes remotely on Wednesday, March 18. Classes are canceled on March 13, 16, and 17 to allow faculty members to prepare their lessons for a remote learning environment. Some courses may not reasonably be conducted remotely, such as labs or performance-based courses. Deans for individual faculties will provide specific instructions for such courses.

Devotionals

Devotionals for the rest of winter semester will also be delivered remotely. Students will not gather in the CAC but will be able to watch online at the BYU–Hawaii devotionals website.

Events

Effective immediately, all gatherings for performances, concerts, public lectures, and conferences will be canceled until further notice. This includes Culture Night and Winter 2020 Commencement. Graduates should direct questions to the Office of the Registrar.

Travel

All university-sponsored travel is suspended until further notice. This includes all international and domestic travel.

Students have the choice to remain in the Laie area for the balance of this semester. For students who choose to stay, services, small-group activities and approved student housing will continue to be available. Students who choose to go off-island may complete their courses remotely.

BYU–Idaho (Updated March 12)

Consistent with the CES guidelines issued last night, BYU–Idaho has made the following decisions:

Classes

All campus face-to-face classes are cancelled beginning March 13 through March 17. Face-to-face classes will resume March 18 via remote instruction. Some classes cannot reasonably meet remotely, such as lab courses or performance-based courses. Instructors will communicate specific instructions regarding these classes. Online classes will continue as scheduled.

Housing and Services

Students have the choice to remain in the Rexburg area or return home for the balance of this semester. For students who choose to stay, campus services, small-group activities and approved student housing will continue to be available.

BYU–Pathway Worldwide

Gatherings will follow the guidelines provided by the Area Presidency and employ virtual gathering where necessary.

LDS Business College* (Updated March 12)

Consistent with the recently issued CES guidelines LDS Business College is taking the following actions:

All face-to-face campus classes will be canceled March 16–17. These classes will resume on March 18 via remote instruction. In the case of specific lab-based or other courses that cannot be conducted remotely, faculty members will provide guidelines directly to the affected students. All online courses will continue uninterrupted.

Commencement exercises scheduled for April 10, 2020, in the Tabernacle on Temple Square will be canceled. A modified graduation ceremony will be broadcast, with details to be provided at a later date.

Weekly devotionals will not be held in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. However, a devotional message will be broadcast at the normal devotional hour (11:15 a.m. MDT) each Tuesday.

Students have the choice to remain in the greater Salt Lake City area or return home for the balance of the semester. For students who choose to stay, campus services will continue to be available.

*As announced February 25, the institution’s name and degree offerings will change later this year.

The following applies to institutions within Seminaries and Institutes of Religion:

Seminaries and Institutes

Daily seminary and stake institute programs will follow the gathering decisions of local congregations. Release-time seminary and campus institutes will follow the gathering decisions of the local high schools or college campuses. When classes need to be canceled, seminary and institute classes may consider remote delivery options. Gatherings for local devotionals and graduations will follow the guidelines provided by the Area Presidency.

Church Primary and Secondary Schools

These schools will follow the guidelines provided by the Area Presidency for local gatherings.

The Church will continue to monitor these evolving circumstances and make adjustments as necessary.