All other members of the Big Ten Conference announced their plans to close earlier this week.

Administrators at UNL said they expect faculty and staff will prepare to conduct remote classes over the next two weeks, and the semester will continue in an organized fashion, rather than a "mad scramble," Fiddelke said.

Green said UNL was also canceling all study-abroad trips through June 30, while departure dates scheduled July 1 or later will be evaluated at a future time.

Following President Donald Trump's announcement of new travel restrictions Wednesday night, the U.S. Department of State heightened health advisories for all other countries, meaning UNL students studying abroad will be recalled.

There are approximately 85 UNL students still overseas; the university said it would start working with those individuals, particularly those with the greatest financial need, to help them return to the U.S.

NU President Ted Carter, who is still within his first 100 days leading the system, said Thursday the university would put the health and safety of students and employees at the "highest priority."