BREAKING NEWS UPDATE:
Michigan State University say that as of noon today the campus in East Lansing is suspending face-to-face instruction in classroom settings and moving to virtual instruction. This will last until April 20.
In a statement, MSU says, "On March 11, MSU learned of a probable case linked to our campus, which the Ingham County Health Department is currently investigating and monitoring."
Learn more about MSU's announcement here.
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Purdue University President Mitch Daniels and Provost Jay Akridge announced significant new restrictions Tuesday in response to the escalating threat of coronavirus, including moving all courses online before classes resume after spring break.
“We recognize that these actions will raise many questions about specific situations,” Daniels and Ackridge wrote.
According to the statement, the pause in classroom instruction will last “as long as in-person instruction seems inadvisable,” possibly through the end of the spring semester.
The school will not be requiring students who live on campus to return to their residence halls after spring break in order to attend online classes.
The university is also cancelling school events featuring “external visitors” from March 16 to May 2, and recommends postponing or cancelling events with 50 or more people attending. The letter also says a decision will be made later about holding commencement exercises at the end of the school year.
In addition, Purdue plans to suspend all university-related domestic and international airline travel from March 16 through May 2. The letter strongly discourages non-essential travel by other modes of transportation.
Summer study abroad programs will all be cancelled, though the letter states some university reimbursement will be available.
“We recognize that these actions will be disruptive and create challenges for many of you, as well as have financial implications for the University, but the health and safety of our community is our focus at this extraordinary time,” Daniels and Ackridge wrote.
The letter stresses that campus will remain open, and “normal campus operations” will continue.
Purdue joins a growing number of universities implementing similar policies, including Indiana University, which also released a list of guidelines Tuesday.
Indiana University has temporarily suspended face-to-face classes starting later this month in light of the rapidly changing coronavirus outbreak, according to a university press release.
Coursework will move online for all IU students following the school’s spring break, from March 23 to April 5.
This decision comes after the state announced its sixth confirmed case of the virus Tuesday morning. As of Tuesday afternoon, only 36 people have been tested by the Indiana State Department of Health, according to its website.
The university is encouraging students to travel home to their permanent residences during this period, but will not close campuses, residence halls or dining facilities.
Unit heads are being tasked with deciding if faculty and staff are able to work remotely.
University-sponsored travel out of the state will also be suspended through April 5 and personal travel out of the state is being discouraged.
New events of more than 100 people are also being discouraged, and organizers of already-scheduled events are strongly encouraged to reschedule or cancel. The release says athletic events will follow the guidance of their governing conferences and public health officials.
The last time IU adjusted classes due to widespread illness was when the university shut down for 10 days due to the Spanish influenza on Oct. 10, 1918.
This story has been updated.
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