4 More RI Colleges Move Online Amid Coronavirus Concerns

Four more Rhode Island colleges have moved their classes online over concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus. Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island have all canceled in-person classes and will be transitioning to online instruction for the near future.

Brown University's announcement comes after the school said that three students were in self-quarantine and being tested for the virus. On Thursday, school officials announced that all undergraduate and graduate classes would be moved online, effective March 30. Classes will be canceled next week, to allow professors and instructors time to make the transition. Students have until March 22 to leave residence halls, and everything except "the most essential" events are canceled, including admission tours and all spring athletics practices and games. Any visitors that are not essential, such as parents and families helping students pack up and leave, are discouraged from coming to campus. More information is available on the university's website.

At the Rhode Island School of Design, instructors will be in touch with students about the transition to online learning. Students are still required to complete classwork assignments, the school said, but shops will be closed and students will not be allowed to borrow or use any university-owned equipment. While tuition is not refundable, housing payments will be prorated and credited back to students. Those who are in need of assistance will be provided food service, counseling and health service as needed, the school said in a statement. More information is available on the school's website.

At the Community College of Rhode Island, meanwhile, spring break will be extended until April 22. Online classes will begin the next day and continue through April 3.

"We have made this decision after careful consideration of guidance from the Rhode Island Department of Health and with the best interest of all of us – and our families, friends, and neighbors – in mind," CCRI President Meghan Hughes said in a letter to students and faculty. "The CCRI community is a strong one, and I have great confidence in our ability to navigate this situation together."

Finally, Rhode Island College has canceled all classes starting Monday, until next Friday. On March 23, online instruction will begin and continue until further notice. Following the guidance of state officials, Henry Barnard School will remain open, the school said in the announcement.

Unlike at other schools, residence halls and dining halls will remain open at this time. Refunds will not be issued to students who choose not to return to their dorms.

"Departments and faculty members are working to provide additional guidance to and will be in touch with students regarding classes where face-to-face instruction is essential," the statement said.

Following these announcements, nearly all of the state's colleges and universities have suspended in-person classes. The University of Rhode Island made the decision on Wednesday, while Roger Williams University made a similar announcement late Tuesday night. Bryant University was the first to move to remote learning.

On Wednesday, Governor Gina Raimondo called for all events of 250 people or more to be canceled for the next two weeks. Both the Rhode Island Convention Center and Dunkin' Donuts Center are working to reschedule upcoming events, while further information is forthcoming about Providence bruins hockey games.

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