Coronavirus Closings: Maryland, DC Universities Extending Spring Breaks, Shifting To Online Classes
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- Several universities in Maryland are making changes on campus due to coronavirus concerns -- some even switching to online classes.
The University System of Maryland
The USM Chancellor is asking all Maryland state colleges to keep their students off-campus for at least two weeks after spring break. During those two weeks or longer, they should be prepared to teach remotely.
The University of Maryland is closing a day early. No classes on Friday, March 13. Spring break for USM runs March 14 to March 22.
During those two weeks, or longer if necessary, all USM universities should be prepared to deliver instruction remotely.
"To that end, I strongly urge Universities to prepare for students to remain off-campus for at least two weeks following the end of spring break," the University System of Maryland said.
Out of deep and growing concern for the health and safety of our students, #UMD is suspending all @UMStudyAbroad programs for spring 2020 in all locations, effective immediately. Please stay informed on further updates at https://t.co/k5Tii8l0PR.
— Univ. of Maryland (@UofMaryland) March 15, 2020
On Saturday, March 14, the University of Maryland suspended all study abroad programs due to the virus.
CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- What Is A Coronavirus?
- The Symptoms Of Coronavirus And What You Should Do If You Feel Sick
- LIST: EPA Releases Names Of Disinfectants You Can Use Against Coronavirus
- Coronavirus-Related Scams Are Going Around. Here's What To Watch Out For
- What We Know About Coronavirus In Maryland
- Latest coronavirus stories from WJZ
Towson University
TU is canceling all university classes for the rest of the week starting Wednesday.
Towson will then transition classes to a distance-learning format when the spring term resumes Monday, March 23.
Face-to-face classes will resume on Monday, April 6. Additional messages to faculty and students on the roll-out of this educational environment will be shared in the coming days.
They currently have nine students, and a staff member self-quarantining after they attended the AIPAC conference in Washington, D.C. where at least two attendees tested positive for coronavirus.
No one on TU's campus has tested positive for the virus, the university said.
"This continues to be a fluid and rapidly evolving situation," Towson University Associate Vice President Sean Welsh said. "The University may take alternative action as appropriate.
Non-essential staff will begin working from home on Monday, March 16.
All varsity athletics through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year are canceled.
Loyola University
Loyola University said it will stop face-to-face instruction beginning Tuesday, March 11, and running through March 31. Classes will be taught online starting on March 18. They also canceled classes for the rest of the week.
Morgan State
They have canceled classes for the rest of the week and said it will also suspend all in-classroom instruction for a minimum of two weeks following its spring break next week.
Johns Hopkins University
Classes are canceled for the rest of the week with online teaching after spring break.
University of Maryland Baltimore County
The UMD branch joined the list later Tuesday, canceling classes March 12 and 13 before spring break. The campus will remain open, but students shouldn't plan to not return to campus for the two weeks following spring break- in line with the USM recommendation.
The state's flagship, University of Maryland, College Park, Coppin State and the University of Baltimore also plan to move to online classes after their breaks.
Salisbury University
They canceled classes Thursday and Friday and instructed students to take all their essential belongings with them should they be restricted from campus for an extended time.
From March 23 to April 3, courses that are able to do so will be taught online. They said they don't expect the campus to be closed during that time, but asked that students not return until April 4.
"During this time, our campus will remain open and operational. Core functions and services for our students, such as the Counseling Center and academic advising, will remain available and will also be accessible remotely," the university said in their announcement.
Bowie State University
Classes are canceled on March 12 and 13 to prepare for remote teaching of all classes. Students should not plan to return to campus after spring break until April 6.
They're asked to take all their essential belongings including medications and other materials in case they go remote.
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Classes are canceled beginning Wednesday until Friday at its North Charles Street and Southern Maryland campuses. Online classes will continue.
After the scheduled spring break next week, March 14-22, face-to-face classes will resume remotely through at least April 5, with the exception of programmatic clinical, practicums and internships. Face-to-face classes will start up again April 6.
In the D.C. area, universities are also moving all classroom instruction online.
McDaniel College
Out of an abundance of caution and in light of decisions made by the University System of Maryland and our regional peer institutions, McDaniel College will move all on-campus, face-to-face undergraduate and graduate instruction to an online format for a two-week period following Spring Break. This will begin Monday, March 23.
All events are canceled through at least April 5.
Georgetown University
Beginning March 16, Georgetown University will move all classroom instruction for all of our schools to virtual learning environment, they announced Wednesday. The university is also suspending all in-person, face-to-face, on-campus classroom instruction until further notice.
Off-campus graduate cohorts that teach face-to-face should continue to do so, unless otherwise notified.
When preparing for Spring Break, students should take all materials needed to resume coursework remotely, such as laptops, textbooks and notebooks.
Students should also take all essential belongings, including medication and valuables, in case a sustained period will pass before they return to campus. In light of these changes, residence halls will now close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15.
American University
The university is temporarily moving all classes online following spring break due to coronavirus concerns.
Effective immediately, spring break will be extended through Tuesday, March 17. Classes will be canceled for those two days.
On March 18, all American University classes and instruction will move fully online until April 3.
In-person classes will resume on April 6, unless the situation changes. The Washington College of Law will also begin classes online on March 23 through April 3.
Maryland colleges aren't the first to make this move. Harvard University will switch to online-only classes on March 23 for an indefinite amount of time. Ohio State also canceled its face-to-face instruction through March 30.
Harford Community College
The campus will remain closed during spring break, March 14-22, and will switch to an online-only learning and working environment for the week after spring break beginning March 23 through March 29.
All campus events scheduled for the week of March 23 will be canceled or postponed. The campus will remain closed that week, but all classes will continue as scheduled in an online format.
Anne Arundel Community College
Beginning March 30, the majority of courses at Anne Arundel Community College will be delivered remotely with the aid of technology due to the COVID-19 virus.
Spring break, March 16-22, will be extended one additional week for students only. There will be no classes for students on March 16-29. Classes — including the start of the second eight-week session originally scheduled for a March 23 start — will resume March 30.
Several universities have ended their study abroad programs in affected countries.
Naval Academy
Midshipmen will not return from Spring Break until the weekend of March 28. Online/remote instruction will begin on March 20.
Baltimore City Community College
Classes will be canceled on March 16 and 17 so instructors can prepare for online teaching. Starting March 18 and until March 28, classes will move online. The college will remain open.
Large campus gatherings of more than 50 people have been canceled through April 30. Out-of-state travel is canceled and in-state travel is being evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Hagerstown Community College
Spring break has been extended for students only through March 20, officials said. Offices will remain open.
Goucher College
Goucher College will keep online instruction through the end of the semester. Residence halls will remain closed as well.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.