SRU moves remainder of spring semester classes online only beginning March 30
March 16, 2020
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University President William Behre today announced that due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the University will conduct the remainder of its spring semester instruction only through distance learning modalities beginning March 30.
SRU had previously announced on March 11 that as a proactive measure in the midst of the outbreak, it had made the decision to extend spring break, originally scheduled from March 8-15, until March 29. That extension pertained to on-campus (residential and commuter) students only. All online students resumed classes, as scheduled, March 16.
“When we announced last week that the University would extend spring break due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I held out some hope that we would be able to resume face-to-face instruction later this semester,” said Behre. “I no longer believe that is possible.
“Shifting an entire curriculum to distance methods and maintaining business operations at a time when many University employees cannot come to work because of school closings and health concerns is a massive undertaking. Therefore, it is impossible to simultaneously plan for the repopulating of our campus in the midst of this work, especially at a time when epidemiological models suggest that social distancing will be necessary for many weeks to come. Therefore, it out of necessity that we make this announcement.
“I know this is not what our students had hoped for, nor is it what they had planned on when they came to SRU. However, I would like to assure our students that their professors are diligently working to bring their content online before virtual classes resume March 30.”
All on-campus events, including athletic contests and individual school, college and group recognition ceremonies, are canceled for the remainder of the semester. A decision regarding the University’s spring commencement ceremonies will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
The Office of Residence Life will be in touch soon with all residential students to schedule an orderly clean out of personal belongings from all residence hall.
“The health and safety of our campus community are our foremost concerns as we make vital decisions about the operations of the University,” Behre said. “We continue to be advised by health experts, including those from county, state and federal agencies.
“We recognize the difficulties this outbreak has created for everyone, but one of our University’s key strengths is our sense of community, so it is important that we all support each other during these unusual times. When we look back on how we handled this crisis, we will be judged by our ability to come together to support each other, maintain our composure and to solve problems. I have full faith in our community’s ability to step up to this challenge.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robb.king@sru.edu