EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University is suspending face-to-face instruction in lectures, seminars and classroom settings and moving coursework to virtual instruction.
The move comes after the first two presumptive cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, have been confirmed in Michigan.
"This will be an evolving process and I ask for everyone’s patience," said Samuel L. Stanley, Jr., M.D. President in a statement.
The university has an online resource for the coronavirus and is expected to have more communications in the coming days regarding university employees, remote and telecommuting options.
"It is our desire to be both proactive in keeping everyone healthy and safe, and also continue the important work of the university," Stanley said."One of the best ways to prevent the spread of any viral disease is to limit contact and transmission of the virus."
This suspension of in-person classes will last until Monday, April 20 and at the time the university will reevaluate the decision.
Freshmen MSU students Silje Bergland Drarvik and Rana Elladki said they are nervous about the switch to online courses.
"I don't know how this could affect any opportunities I could have in the future, if it will set me back in school, because online classes are harder," Bergland Drarvik said.
Elladki added that her STEM classes would be particularly difficult to do online, and said the situation was difficult to deal with her first year at a university.
"We’re just starting to get into the college vibe and just getting used to like everything, and then this happened. It’s kind of scary like the first year away from home," she said.
Elladki said she hopes her professors and teaching assistants will be willing to work with the class in small groups to help with the transfer to online education.
Bob Gould, a professor at MSU's School of Journalism, said he is working on ways to make the online format work for his students. He said some classes have been simple to configure, but he is still working on making all of his courses hands-on behind the screen.
At this time, the campus will remain open, but all university-related international travel has been suspended.
The university also has a toll-free hotline to help address questions for students, faculty, staff and parents: 888-353-1294.
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