Amid Coronavirus, Fairfield University Moves Classes Online

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield University announced Wednesday evening plans to switch to online instruction for much of the remainder of March amid concern about the new coronavirus.

In a message to the college's community, Fairfield University President Mark Nemec said all programs and classes will be online only starting Monday and continuing through March 29.

"Fairfield has not taken this decision lightly," Nemec said in the message, emphasizing there are no known or suspected cases of the coronavirus on campus.

Nemec urged students who are home for spring break to stay there and students who traveled over the break to return to their homes and not to campus. The school's library, recreational complex and other common areas will be restricted; events with more than 100 people will be postponed or canceled; athletic events will be closed to the public; and daily Mass will be suspended after Thursday until further notice, the message said.

To sign up for Fairfield breaking news alerts and more, click here.

Non-essential university-related travel is prohibited, according to Nemec, and personal international travel is strongly discouraged. Student support services will be available virtually and administrative offices will remain open.

Fairfield-based Sacred Heart University announced Monday it would switch to online learning in response to the virus, a move that was followed by Yale University, Quinnipiac University and several others. Many area public school districts have announced closures.

Three Connecticut residents have been diagnosed with the virus so far and the governor has declared a state of emergency.

For more information about Fairfield University's coronavirus response plan, visit fairfield.edu/coronavirus.