APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Lawrence University is joing most other colleges and universities in the state by extending its spring break and asking students to take spring term classes from home because of the coronavirus.
“We started hoping we could continue the way we are, but we just couldn’t find a way of making it work given the constraints of the university,” says University president Mark Burstein, “In the end it seemed that we had no other option…For much of our community, the notification was not a surprise. There were reactions that you’d really expect, there was significant disappointment.”
Spring break will begin March 19 as scheduled, but the third term will not begin until April 5. Classes will be taught via distance learning. The university is still working to determine how classes that require laboratories, studios or group rehearsals will operate.
“Spring Break, which would’ve normally been a week – we’ve extended to a two week period. This allows for faculty to change all of their teaching to this distance learning platform,” Burstein says, “There’s a real interest from our faculty to try to replicate that as much as possible through technology. So there will probably also be individual coaching sessions, office hours – all using technology.”
Students are being asked to move out of residence halls by April 5 and plan to stay home for the rest of the school year. Students who go home for third term will have room, board and student activity fees removed from their bills.
Students are welcome to stay on campus for spring break, but will be required to avoid traveling outside of the “immediate vicinity.” Students who cannot travel home for spring term will be allowed to apply for permission to live on campus.
“Just in case the virus does come to campus, we need enough space for isolation. So we will be re-juggling to create space for isolation for the students who remain,” Burstein says.
All international travel on behalf of the university is canceled, and no study abroad programs will run during the spring term. Domestic travel for essential purposes must be approved. Anyone who returns from a country designated Level 2 or 3 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be required to self-isolate off-campus for 14 days.
Campus events such as lectures, theater productions, musical performances, art exhibits or other large gatherings are canceled for the spring term. Information for prospective students’ campus tours will be available online.
Plans for graduation ceremonies have not been finalized.
The university is hosting two interactive question-and-answer sessions on Friday. A session for faculty and staff is set for 1 p.m.; a session for students and their families is set for 3 p.m. Questions should be submitted in advance.
The university has set up a website, an email address and a call center to answer questions about coronavirus-related changes. The call center can be reached at (920) 832-6576, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
