Coronavirus: VA Colleges Remain Open But Prepare To Teach Online

VIRGINIA — Colleges across Virginia are placing restrictions on international travel but none have announced plans to cancel classes or switch to online classes in response to the cororavirus, or COVID-19. However, schools are directing faculty members to make preparations for teaching classes virtually in case university officials decide to suspend in-person teaching.

Six people in Virginia have tested positive for the coronavirus as of Tuesday afternoon. Four of the people recently returned from international travel. Another person made contact with an invidual who had tested positive for the coronavirus. Health officials are still trying to determine how the sixth person, who lives in Spotsylvania County, contracted the virus.

At the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, officials have placed restrictions on university-related travel to countries such as China, Iran, Italy and South Korea where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has enacted Level 3 travel health notices. The university is not prohibiting university-related domestic travel but is discouraging all university travel for non-essential purposes

Students at the University of Virginia are curently on spring break. The university plans to issue an update in a couple days about university operations for the weeks after spring break. "At this point in time, we plan for students to return to Grounds and to resume classes, but we will be making some modifications to mitigate against the risk of exposure to and transmission of the virus," University of Virginia President Jim Ryan said in an update released Sunday.

Unlike Virginia schools, the University System of Maryland is advising all students to prepare to remain off campus for at least two weeks after spring break. It will not be an extended vacation — students will be expected to take their classes remotely, according to authorities. The University System of Maryland spring break runs from March 14 to March 22.

In Washington, D.C., students at American University will be taking classes online for three weeks when they return from spring break on March 18. Classes will continue online through Friday, April 3.

Although classes at Virginia Tech in Blackburg have not moved online, university officials are accelerating "planning necessary to sustain our academic mission, including the use of online platforms to deliver instruction." Faculty have been told to use the current spring break "to become familiar with strategies to continue teaching through disruptions and to plan for the possibility that students and faculty may not be able to meet for course sessions in person."

RELATED:
Interactive Map: Latest U.S. Coronavirus Cases

In the event that students and faculty are unable to meet in person for class, Virginia Tech has told faculty that they need to make adjustments to allow students to continue their courses. "In deciding the appropriate course delivery methods to employ during this time, faculty should consider being flexible about course attendance policies and assignment deadlines, providing additional online resources for students who are unable to attend class, and allowing students to attend class virtually through Zoom or other formats," Virginia Tech Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril Clarke wrote in a letter to faculty.

At the University of Mary Washington (UMW), where students returned from spring break on Monday, the school's Emergency Operations Team is monitoring the situation hourly and meeting daily.

"We are conferring with other universities and are following the guidance of the Virginia Department of Health," a university spokeswoman said. "Rest assured our top priority is the well being of our campus community, so we will provide regular updates."

UMW has directed its faculty members to prepare to teach classes virtually, but at this point the univeristy is conducting "usual operations," the spokeswoman said.

George Mason University has not cancelled classes but has suspended all international university-related student travel through May 15, based on CDC recommendations. GMU students are on spring break and are scheduled to return March 16.

"There are currently no plans to cancel classes or modify the university’s operations; however, events and activities may be cancelled or postponed at the discretion of the event organizer," the university said.

GMU released the following guidance, as recommended by the CDC:

• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home if you are ill.
• Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, then discard the tissue.
• Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces with a cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

For members of the university community who feel well, GMU said the CDC advises against wearing a face mask.