Today IU President Michael McRobbie issued a university-wide letter in response to the evolving situation with the coronavirus. In the letter McRobbie states that there will be a sspension of classroom teaching following spring break (March 16-22) with students returning to campus April 6.
The letter states:
Following our scheduled spring break (March 15 to 22), students on all IU campuses will be taught remotely (not in person) for two weeks (March 23 to April 5). We are planning to resume face-to-face teaching on Monday, April 6. However, that could change with the evolving situation.
Students are encouraged to travel home, if possible, during this time period. For this two weeks, course work will continue via virtual online teaching. We are investigating how to accommodate classroom activities that typically include laboratories or other in-person interactions, and specific guidance will follow. IU campuses will not close, and residential halls and dining will remain open.
While completing classes virtually, students are strongly encouraged to stay in their permanent homes away from campus, unless they are prevented from returning home because of travel restrictions or they do not have access to the technology at home, such as reliable internet access, to complete their classes remotely.
A link to the entire letter is here.
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 will be updated.
