As Coronavirus Cases Increase, Universities Prepare for a Novel Spring Semester
By Madyson Fitzgerald
Submitted March 13, 2020
President Hakim J. Lucas shares a campus update with the Panther community via Youtube (@VUU TV)
COVID-19, popularly known as coronavirus, is taking the United States by storm, and college students headed for spring break are feeling the detrimental effects of the outbreak.
Globally, the virus has infected more than 135,000 people with close to 5,000 deaths, according to The New York Times‘ continued coverage. The disease has been detected in more than 100 countries, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rating Mainland China, South Korea, Italy and Iran as the most high-risk countries that should be avoided at all costs. As of March 13, the U.S. has reported more than 1,500 cases of the coronavirus in all but 4 states. Of these, 41 people have died.
On Monday, Virginia reported its first cases of the coronavirus, all involving individuals from Fairfax and Arlington. As of Friday, approximately 30 have been reported across the state, based on data from the Virginia Department of Health. Colleges across Virginia are taking action to prevent the spread of the virus while continuing with instruction.
Virginia State University’s spring break lasted the week of March 1. With more in-state students, the University was aware that many students would be going home with low-risk. However, they also knew that many planned to travel across state lines. On Wednesday, March 4, President Makola Abdullah led the faculty and staff in a Pandemic Training event to discuss prevention and responses to the virus.
Dr. Jame’l Hodges, the Associate Vice President for Student Success and Engagement, tweeted that Abdullah set the tone “as we continue to be educated about campus safety and wellness!”
Just two days later, during the celebration of Founder’s Day, the University released a COVID-19 fact sheet, containing basic tips on knowing the symptoms and preventing the spread of the virus.
On March 12, Dr. Abdullah announced in a letter that all classes would be cancelled the week of March 16-20. In addition to this, “Virginia State University will convert to all remote instruction (online/distance education) classes for the remainder of the Spring 2020 academic year.” As it is “the end of the semester” for campus, students are required to move out by March 18. Students who are unable to leave due to extenuating circumstances are able to request exemption from leaving.
This sentiment is similar on other campuses like Virginia Commonwealth University, where they have cancelled “all VCU-sponsored spring break abroad, service-learning and alternative break programs in all areas outside of the United States, regardless of CDC Travel Advisory status.”
Regarding students already abroad, the University has also outlined several actions to keep students safe. While keeping in contact with students abroad, VCU has advised them to follow the U.S. State Department’s and CDC’s guidance. “In addition, we have canceled study abroad programs in any countries classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a Level 2 Travel Advisory or above due to COVID-19 and will communicate specific instructions to students in those programs,” VCU announced.
To further precautions, students, faculty and staff who have returned from countries that are classified as a Level 3 Advisory or above are required to go through a 14-day quarantine period away from campus. Gonzalo Bearman, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the VCU Medical Center Infection Prevention Program, told VCU News that, “We are preparing to the fullest extent possible for the arrival of cases to Central Virginia and to our health care system. We have policies and protocols in place, but people need to understand that the situation is fluid.”
VSU’s COVID-19 Fact Sheet via Virginia State University’s Twitter (@VSUTrojans)
VCU’s spring break, which started the week of March 8, has been extended through the 22nd. Online instruction will begin Monday, March 23, and last until further notice.
Virginia Union University is taking similar precautions after they released a statement on March 6, explaining that, “Each of us is concerned about ‘COVID-19,’ more commonly known as coronavirus that has surfaced in other countries and in very small parts of the United States. While it is currently in very small parts of the United States, the number of national cases continues to rise.”
Regarding spring break, VUU advises students to do the same as VCU, with one extra step. “We strongly urge students, faculty, and staff after reading the travel information from the CDC site noted above to share any travel plans with us,” the University said. “This will help us to take any additional precautions should the need arise.”
By reporting travel plans, students, staff and faculty can keep VUU in the loop about anyone going to states, or even countries, that may pose a risk to the rest of the campus. Should conditions get worse, the University will have information that could prevent the spread.
Virginia Union’s spring break will be extended through March 20, and like VCU, online instruction will begin on the 23rd. On March 31, “all student activities will be reassessed for virtual interface,” referring to all student clubs and organizations.
Spring breakers, just like many seasonal travelers, are reconsidering their vacation plans. According to Earnest Research, airline sales fell 16.5% below average during the last week of February. Cruise lines also saw a 14.9% drop in sales during the same week. Online travel agencies saw the biggest drop in sales, falling 20.5% below their average. As the coronavirus spreads, these sales are expected to continue to decline.
Professors, now met with the challenge of moving their courses online, are using technology to their advantage. In addition to keeping touch through email, many professors are taking advantage of Blackboard, the educational platform where students and teachers can interact and complete assignments. Whereas some professors chose to do everything on paper during the semester, COVID-19 has created a novel opportunity that forces teachers to advance their knowledge in technology.
The coronavirus outbreak continues to complicate the education system, from the closing of public school systems to the adjustment of college instruction.
