Classes at Western Connecticut State University will move to an online-only format for two weeks following spring break, according to an email sent out by Provost Missy Alexander and VP of Student Affairs Keith Betts Wednesday morning. If the policy is not updated in response to additional information on coronavirus in the following weeks, students will be able to return to campus on Monday, April 6 and classes will resume in-person meetings.

“This effort,” Provost Alexander wrote, “will allow us to monitor the spread of this virus and continue to enhance our health and safety protocols on campus.”

Students are instructed by the update from Provost Alexander to bring home all course materials and equipment needed to participate in your courses online. All courses have a class shell on Blackboard, the school’s primary online learning software. The email did not outline measures for students without access to personal computers and other equipment needed for particular courses off-campus.

Classes are still being held on campus through Friday, March 13. Professors and professional staff familiar anticipating the changes are predicting high absentee rates over the last three days of the week as students prepare for the break and telecommute period off-campus.

“For students currently participating in internships and clinical placements,” the policy update read, “please speak with your department chair or the internship coordinator for information about when and if you can continue in these positions.”

Students living in campus residence halls, including those who signed up to stay over spring break, must leave their residence hall by 5:00pm on Friday, March 13. Residents with extenuating circumstances impacting their ability to move out by Friday should contact the Housing and Residence Life office as soon as possible.

All campus events have been canceled through April 30, inclusive of students returning to campus on April 6, expanding on the ban earlier this week to large events expecting 100 or greater attendees. Impacted events include the Faculty Advisory Committee Conference, the SGA Inaugural Ball, and many of the events planned by the InterCultural Office and student organizations for Diversity Month.

Our coverage of this policy and the impact of coronavirus on our campus and the CSCU system is ongoing. If you have thoughts, questions, or a perspective to share, please contact us at echo@wcsu.edu or leave a comment below.