UPenn Taking All Classes Online, Tells Students To Leave Campus

PHILADELPHIA — The University of Pennsylvania said Wednesday it will transition to online classes for the rest of the semester and said students should leave campus by the weekend as coronavirus fears grow in and around the Philadelphia area.

The school said all classes will be provided by virtual instruction, and on-campus activities will be limited.

Online instruction will begin March 23

In addition, Penn is extending its spring break by one week except for students in health-related schools and programs in which spring break has already occurred or who are actively engaged in clinical rotations.

The university is urging students who are on spring break and out of town to not return to campus.

"Many details are still being finalized, so we ask for your patience as we work through the myriad issues involved in this major temporary change," President Amy Gutmann and Provost Wendell Pritchett said in an email.