Michigan’s public universities are suspending or canceling in-person classes and switching to online formats as they aim to help stop the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Michigan officials late Tuesday night announced two confirmed cases of coronavirus, one in Oakland County and one in Wayne County.

Universities began announcing in-person class cancelations Wednesday morning.

“It is our desire to be both proactive in keeping everyone healthy and safe, and also continue the important work of the university," said Michigan State University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. in a letter to the campus community on Tuesday.

"One of the best ways to prevent the spread of any viral disease is to limit contact and transmission of the virus.”

Some of the in-person class cancellations were announced after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a 5 p.m. announcement addressed universities and community colleges, saying they should continue remote learning when possible.

Dr. Dennis Cunningham, an infectious disease specialist with McLaren Flint, said universities acting now is understandable.

“I could see this running through a college pretty quickly and lots of students getting sick, so I completely understand” why colleges are canceling classes. “You have students livings in dorms, crammed in there, which increases the risk of disease transmission.”

Here are each university’s plans, with a note that end dates listed may not be final. Many universities plan to re-evaluate the situation as it evolves.

Michigan State University

Classes: Moving entire to online instruction through April 20.

Residence Halls: Residence halls remain open, but the university is encouraging students to return to their permanent residences.

Events: University is evaluating large events.

Travel: All university-related international travel has been suspended through April 20, which includes new travel as well as any currently booked trips. MSU also is suspending non-essential domestic university travel through April 20.

Read more here.

Central Michigan University

Classes: In-person classes suspended through Friday, March 20. Classes will move to an online format.

Residence Halls: Most residence halls are closed until 9 a.m. on March 22. Limited food service to be provided.

Events: All CMU-sponsored events or gatherings of more than 50 people are canceled through March 31.

Travel: University-sponsored domestic travel canceled through March 31.

Read more here.

Oakland University

Classes: In-person classes suspended, to be replaced by remote learning effective March 16.

Residence Halls: On-campus residence halls and dining services will remain open.

Events: Suspending all university events of 50 or more attendees until April 25.

Travel: All university-sponsored domestic and international air travel is suspended. Summer study abroad still under review.

Read more here.

Wayne State University

Classes: Canceled through March 23, alternative class formats being considered.

Residence Halls: Residence halls remain open, dining resumes March 16.

Events: Events of 100 or more are canceled.

Travel: All university-sponsored international air travel is prohibited.

Read more here.

Michigan Technological University

Classes: In-person classes are suspended through April 17.

Residence Halls: Residence and dining halls remain open.

Events: At this time, Michigan Tech is not canceling or postponing any on- or off-campus athletics events and will remain in normal operation.

Travel: All international university-sponsored travel is canceled through April 17.

Read more here.

University of Michigan

Classes: In-person classes are canceled through March 13, resume in alternative formats (not in-person) March 16 - April 21.

Residence Halls: U-M housing and dining remain operational.

Events: Cancelling all events with 100 or more people March 12 - April 21.

Travel: All international travel for the university and study abroad programs suspended until at least April 21.

Read more here.

Eastern Michigan University

Classes: Moving online through March 31.

Residence Halls: EMU’s residence halls and dining facilities remain open, but students are encouraged to return to their permanent residences.

Events: All university events canceled through the end of March.

Travel: University-related international travel is suspended. Non-essential university-related domestic travel is also suspended.

Read more here.

Ferris State University

Classes: Classes will be suspended and replaced with a remote delivery method March 16-27.

Residence Halls: Residence halls will remain open, along with a condensed dining capability.

Events: All university events of more than 100 attendees will be canceled or postponed.

Travel: All university-sponsored international travel is suspended, and only essential university-sponsored domestic travel will continue.

Read more here.

Grand Valley State University

Classes: In-person classes are canceled, with online learning to begin March 16.

Residence Halls: The university will provide housing and dining but is encouraging students to return to their primary residences.

Events: Events of more than 100 people are canceled.

Travel: All university-sponsored international travel canceled through March 30. Domestic travel discouraged.

Read more here.

Western Michigan University

Classes: In-person classes are suspended, online instruction will begin March 16.

Residence Halls: Residence and dining halls remain open.

Events: Events of more than 100 attendees will be canceled starting March 16.

Travel: University-related travel to some countries suspended.

Read more here.

Lake Superior State University

Classes: Suspending all face-to-face instruction effective March 16 - April 17.

Residence Halls: Residence and dining halls remain open.

Events: Conferences with attendees who are not LSSU students, staff or faculty are canceled or postponed.

Travel: All international and domestic travel is suspended through April 17.

Read more here.

Northern Michigan University

Classes: Canceled until they resume in an online format March 16. Starting March 16, lab classes will continue meeting in-person with some exceptions.

Residence Halls: Residence and dining halls remain open.

Events: Events of more than 150 people in March and April are canceled or postponed.

Travel: Non-essential, university-sponsored plane travel, both domestic and international, is restricted.

Read more here.

U-M Dearborn

Classes: Canceled through March 13, resume in alternative formats (not in-person) March 16 - April 21.

Residence Halls: U-M housing and dining remain operational.

Events: Cancelling all events with 100 or more people March 12 - April 21.

Travel: All international travel for the university and study abroad programs suspended until at least April 21.

Read more here.

U-M Flint

Classes: Canceled through March 13, resume in alternative formats (not in-person) March 16 - April 21.

Residence Halls: U-M housing and dining remain operational.

Events: Cancelling all events with 100 or more people March 12 - April 21.

Travel: All international travel for the university and study abroad programs suspended until at least April 21.

Read more here.

Saginaw Valley State University

Classes: In-person instruction is suspended effective March 16 - April 17.

Residence halls: Residence halls and dining remain open.

Events: Evaluating.

Travel: SVSU is suspending university-sponsored international travel through June 30 and strongly discourages university-sponsored domestic travel.

Read more here.

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PREVENTION TIPS

Much like how you would try to prevent the flu, you want to stay away from people who are sick and practice good hygiene, says the CDC.

The latter means thoroughly washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. Avoid touching your mouth or face unless your hands are clean.

Use household cleaners to disinfect commonly touched objects and surfaces. Use disinfectant wipes to clean your hands or surfaces such as shopping-cart handles when out in public.

Some people are going the extra step and using smartphone sanitizers as a precaution, but a disinfecting wipe used lightly on the outside will likely work fine, too.

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