West Chester University Moves To Online Learning Due To Coronavirus

Press Release From West Chester University:

Health Update: 3/10/20

West Chester University does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of this time and is taking every precaution possible to ensure the health and safety of all students, faculty, staff and visitors to its campus. To continue proactively managing the health of the WCU community, academic instruction will be expedited remotely for the remainder of the spring semester.

West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino issued the following statement
to the University community on Tuesday, March 10, in an email entitled WCU to Move to Alternate Modes of Instruction for the Remainder of the Spring Semester:

Dear West Chester University Students, Parents, Faculty, and Staff,

I hope that you are enjoying a well-deserved spring break and that this message finds
you well. Know that we continue to take every precaution possible to ensure the health
and safety of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to our campus amidst a global
public health concern. It is important to share that WCU does not have any confirmed
cases of COVID-19 as of this time.

Out of an abundance of concern for the continued good health of our community, the
University has made the decision to move to alternate modes of instruction for the
remainder of the spring semester. To expedite, faculty will use the next two weeks
to prepare their courses for remote delivery, and remote advising and registering
for the summer and fall terms. As such, in-person, face-to-face instruction will not
occur on campus and these courses will resume by alternate means on March 30. Current
online courses will not be affected, and will run as scheduled beginning on March
16. All internships for credit, clinicals, and student teaching assignments will
continue as long as the host institution is open for business. Our dedicated faculty
are committed to this alternate instruction plan and will soon be emailing students
in their classes to let them know next steps.

In keeping with the CDC’s guidance to limit social distance, the University is taking
proactive measures to minimize social contact. Please know that the residence halls
and South Campus apartments will not be open, and the Office of Residence Life will
be in contact with each student for a scheduled time to return to campus to collect
their items. In addition, large public events and public gatherings will be cancelled,
including West Chester University’s 37th Annual Presidential Scholarship Community Gala.

The day-to-day administrative operation of the University will continue, and University
staff will report to work as usual. We ask all staff to continue healthy practices
that will minimize the possibility of the spread of the virus. If you are sick, please
stay home. Managers are prepared to work with you so that you will not be adversely
affected.

To recap, academic instruction will commence as follows:

• Online –courses will continue on their regular schedule, beginning March 16.
• Internships for credit, clinicals, and student teaching assignments will continue
  as long as the host institution is open for business.
• All other courses will resume by remote means on March 30.

West Chester University wants its students to be successful and we will do whatever
we can to help students complete the spring term successfully. I will be sending more
details about how this proactive plan will be implemented, but wanted to let you know
of this decision as soon as possible. All updates on the University’s response to
COVID-19 will continue to be posted on our website, www.wcupa.edu/healthNotices. I encourage you to check the website frequently.

Sincerely,

Christopher M. Fiorentino, Ph.D.

President

This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.