Coronavirus prompts Texas universities to extend spring break, move classes online

[TexasTowelie]

by Shannon Najmabadi and Naomi Andu, Texas Tribune


Nearly a dozen Texas universities announced Wednesday they would extend students' spring breaks and start switching to online classes, joining a swelling group of colleges across the country taking steps to prepare their campuses for the novel coronavirus.

Most Texas institutions extending their breaks said they plan to use the extra time to prepare faculty for teaching online. Many have canceled events, prohibited large gatherings, stepped up their sanitation measures and restricted university-sponsored travel.

Some cited the unique challenges universities face in managing contagious disease, particularly in the face of an upcoming break.

Trinity University

Trinity University is transitioning to remote teaching for the remainder of the spring semester and permanently closing residence halls beginning Monday. Students will be reimbursed for their housing, the university said. Those who can't return to a permanent residence can apply for an exemption — though "many on-campus services may be significantly limited." All university athletics events after March 22 will be canceled for the rest of the semester.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/11/texas-universities-extending-spring-break-prepare-coronavirus/

Even my alma mater is taking precautions:

Southwestern University
Southwestern University in Georgetown is adding two days to students' spring breaks and urging them to remain off campus during that time. Classes will resume March 25.

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1. A&M update

My daughter attends A&M (her mother and I are longhorns wondering where we went wrong ), and all classes there are now online. According to her, many of the professors have no idea how to internet, so this should be interesting.