Princeton University's Fall Semester Could Remain Online

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton University's President Christopher L. Eisgruber will decide in early July whether the fall semester undergraduate teaching program will be online or residential due to the new coronavirus.

The University had moved all of its classes online and asked all students to leave campus by March 19 to slow the spread of the coronavirus on campus. Read More: Coronavirus: Princeton University Moves All Classes Online

At the time Eisgruber had hoped this would be a short-term change but as time went on the possibility to continue virtual instruction for the Fall might become a reality.

"In early March, it was still possible to hope that the disruption might prove short-term. That is no longer so. We confront a durable and damaging public health crisis that will number among American history's greatest upheavals," Eisgruber wrote to students and staff on Monday.

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In order to restart the University's in-person teaching and research, Eisgruber said he is exploring ways to safely and responsibly reopen Princeton’s laboratories, libraries and other facilities when state law permits.

Eisgruber noted the biggest challenge is bringing back undergraduates to live on campus while also enforcing social distancing.

In the meantime faculty members are being asked to begin planning now under the assumption that their classes will be online in the fall.

"Regardless of what else happens, Princeton University is committed to offering the best possible undergraduate education consistent with the health and well-being of our community," Eisgruber said.

A decision on the fall semester will be made in early July.

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