Move to online classes continues as colleges across the region shutter classrooms

The move to online education at colleges and universities across Western Pennsylvania was nearly universal by the end of Thursday.

Residential colleges and universities concerned about the potential for the spread of coronavirus as students returned from spring break were among the first institutions in the nation to react to the threat beginning last week. Schools in West Coast virus hot spots began cancelling face-to-face instruction in favor of online classes.

Locally, community colleges were among the few post-secondary institutions still holding class as of late Thursday. One of them — Butler County Community College — Wednesday canceled classes because of worries over the coronavirus.

Officials there said they closed the school’s main campus in Butler Township and ancillary locations Wednesday afternoon after learning the spouse of an employee had become ill following a trip.

Classes and all other events at the school have been canceled “at least through Sunday.” Officials stressed that the move was strictly precautionary and that there have been no reported nor confirmed cases of coronavirus at any of the school’s locations.

Butler’s announcement followed a a series of similar announcements from residential colleges locally and across the nation.

Officials at local colleges and universities stressed they have had no reports of coronavirus, but were taking precautionary measures.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Pitt, Penn State, Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne, Edinboro, California, Slippery Rock and Robert Morris universities had announced they were transitioning from face-to-face teaching to online courses.

Chatham, Carlow and La Roche universities later followed suit.

Such announcements continued throughout the day Thursday, with Point Park University announcing similar measures Thursday morning. Officials there said they have canceled classes March 13-17. A Point Park spokesman said face-to-face classes will be replaced with online instruction on Wednesday, March 18.

“Decisions regarding outside events throughout the University and all scheduled performances at the Pittsburgh Playhouse will be reviewed daily and on a case-by-case basis,” Point Park spokesman Lou Corsaro said.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania officials announced later Thursday that they, too, will suspend face-to-face instruction, effective Monday, March 18, and begin offering all classes online.

At Indiana University of Pennsylvania, officials said they are extending spring break, originally scheduled to end March 16, until March 23, and asked that students on spring break refrain from returning to campus until March 21 or 22.

Seton Hill University joined the movement late Thursday afternoon with President Mary Finger tweeting that classes would be suspended March 13-17, and then resume in online and alternative formats through March 31.

“Seton Hill University will be suspending all face-to-face classes and moving to an online and alternative delivery format through March 31. Beginning on Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 17 face-to-face classes are suspended,” said President Mary Finger on the Coronavirus

— Setonian (@SetonianOnline) March 12, 2020

Shortly after Seton Hill announced its decision to alter classes, Saint Vincent College did likewise. Officials at Saint Vincent said the college will suspend face-to-face classes for two weeks, effective Friday, March 13, and offer classes online through March 27.

The school also announced residence halls will be closed for two weeks beginning Friday, March 13, at 5 p.m. and all athletic events will be suspended through April 1.