Mar 12, 2020 5 min read

Multiple area universities have announced they are temporarily suspending in-person classes as the novel coronavirus continues to spread in the United States.

California University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University announced Wednesday afternoon that they will halt on-campus classes in attempts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic Wednesday by the World Health Organization.

A message from Cal. U President Geraldine M. Jones stated that spring break, which has been ongoing at the university this week, will be extended an additional two weeks through March 27 for on-campus students. Beginning March 30, all on-campus classes will take place through online instruction or distance learning.

On-campus classes are anticipated to resume April 13.

“Cal. U is taking steps to protect our campus community while continuing to educate our students and keep essential university functions on track. We understand that these temporary measures will cause significant disruption, but we believe it is important to be proactive when the health of our university family is at stake,” said Jones.

The university is encouraging all students to return to their permanent residences to continue their coursework from home until on-campus classes resume. Campus residence halls, however, will reopen Sunday.

Online programs will not be affected by the changes.

The university has canceled all international travel until further notice, as well as all campus events through April 10.

Cal. U was one of several schools in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education to announce Wednesday extended spring breaks and the temporary suspension of in-person classes in lieu of online instruction.

Also Wednesday, Penn State President Eric J. Barron shared a message with the university community announcing a systemwide move to remote instruction for all classes starting Monday, including at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

The move will last for at least three weeks as the university plans to resume in-person classes April 6.

Penn State campuses are currently on spring break. The university said it strongly discourages students from returning to campus, off-campus locations and group dwellings and recommends remaining home during this period.

All on-campus student-sponsored events and activities are canceled or postponed until at least April 6.

“We know that community infection is a primary mode of transmission and we need to do all we can to protect those around us, including those who may be more at risk or vulnerable to this virus. If there was ever a ‘We Are’ moment, this is it,” said Barron.

The school also canceled all spring break travel abroad trips for embedded courses and student organizations and has prohibited university-affiliated travel to China, Italy and South Korea for students.

An email sent to parents and families of Pitt students – currently on spring break – announced that the university “is shifting exclusively to virtual learning platforms when classes resume March 23, effective through the end of the semester.”

In announcing the move, Kenyon R. Bonner, vice provost and dean of students, urged students who have the option not to return to university housing, and move-out directions would be forthcoming. Those who do not have that option will be accommodated in university housing, Bonner said, but will continue coursework virtually.

The moves from the Pennsylvania schools come less than 24 hours after West Virginia University announced it will temporarily suspend in-person classes.

The university, which enrolls 27,000 students in nearby Morgantown, W.Va., said it is moving classes online at the end of the month as it continues to monitor the threat of the viral outbreak.

In a letter to the campus community posted on the university’s website and social media pages Tuesday night, WVU President E. Gordon Gee said the school will suspend classes the week of March 23-27 and then provide online class instruction or other alternative learning options to students beginning March 30.

WVU is on spring break the week of March 16-20. Operations and events on university campuses will continue as normal this week.

“An administrative team, along with local and state health officials, has been working diligently to identify ways to keep our campuses safe, as well as sharing precautionary measures individuals could take,” said Gee. “The university takes seriously its responsibility to protect our campuses during this uncertain time.”

University officials expressed concern over the subsequent return of students, faculty and staff to campus after travel for spring break, prompting the cautionary class freeze.

The university told students to remain home following spring break until it announces they can safely return to campus. University-related international travel has been suspended.

As of Wednesday there were no reported cases in Southwestern Pennsylvania or West Virginia. Nationwide, the coronavirus has infected more than 1,000 people.

While a phone call to Waynesburg University was not returned Wednesday, information on the university’s indicates that classes are continuing as scheduled.

As of last week Waynesburg University was evaluating the potential for exposure to coronavirus for its study abroad programming.

The university said it is following federal and international best-practice guidelines and recommendations to determine the best course of action for students, faculty and staff.

In a letter dated Wednesday and posted to Washington & Jefferson’s website, college President John Knapp acknowledged the unpredictability of the situation but said there were no changes to classes and other activities so far.

“What I can say now is that the college intends to continue normal operations for the foreseeable future, with contingency plans to make prudent changes if necessary,” Knapp’s letter read.

The message added that Dean Jeff Frick, who’s leading the college’s response to the situation, would provide additional information and guidance later in the week for those returning from spring break.

Staff writer Gideon Bradshaw contributed to this article.