Education

Local universities consider canceling classes if coronavirus outbreak worsens

Universities across the United States are canceling face-to-face classes and moving instruction online in an effort to keep coronavirus from invading campuses. Campbell University and Shaw University are preparing to follow suit if needed.
Posted 2020-03-10T02:38:52+00:00 - Updated 2020-03-10T02:52:11+00:00
Colleges, universities prepare for coronavirus outbreaks

Universities across the United States are canceling face-to-face classes and moving instruction online in an effort to keep coronavirus from invading campuses.

Two local universities said they could follow suit if needed.

Campbell University students returned to campus Monday after spring break.

The challenge for Dennis Bazemore, the school’s vice president of student life, is making sure they’re able to complete the semester without a coronavirus outbreak.

“With this virus making its way across the world, we are concerned about the health of our students and how this could impact our students and impact their education,” Bazemore said.

He said Campbell’s critical response team met Monday to discuss tackling an outbreak. Canceling in-person classes and moving to online-only classes are an option, he added.

“We already do have online education at Campbell, so we can move to that if the need were to arise,” Bazemore said.

Leaders from Shaw University said they have a similar protocol, preparing to have students and staff work remotely if the circumstances call for it.

Andrew Dunn, a student at Campbell, said he prefers the face-to-face class setting.

“I’ve worked on online classes before, but what’s the point of taking away that teacher aspect?” he said.

But he said if the number of coronavirus cases grows, he would consider online classes better than no classes at all.

Students at Campbell receive weekly updates, encouraging them to visit the health center if they experience symptoms.

The university says it’s equipped to house students, faculty and staff who need to quarantine.

“We have a way that we can actually quarantine some of our students as well,” Bazemore said. “We have some housing specifically for that."

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