TAMPA, Fla. -- The University of South Florida is making the switch to online classes as schools and universities across the world remain on edge over the coronavirus outbreak.
USF announced on Wednesday that all classes on all campuses will be given remotely from March 23 to April 5.
LARGE GATHERINGS CANCELED
The announcement comes a day after USF announced it will postpone "large gatherings" with 100 or more people. According to a memo sent out to the university's faculty, large gatherings are any campus or USF-sponsored events with 100 or more people, which include conferences that involve participants from other countries or states.
→COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS←
Small gatherings are still allowed on campus as long as it does not include participants from outside the state and the gathering had been approved by the college dean or appropriate vice president/regional chancellor, according to USF's memo. Campus-only events can still be held as long as there are no off-campus or out-of-state visitors. But like small gatherings, these campus-only events must get written approval from the college dean or appropriate vice president/regional chancellor, USF said in its memo.
NEW: @USouthFlorida is canceling or postponing any “large gatherings,” such as conferences, with 100 or more people. This does NOT include classes. New guidelines attached went out today. @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/Uvghm8e67c
— Ryan Smith (@RyanReports) March 10, 2020
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USF also canceled all university-sponsored alternative spring break trips. The university said it is working to give refunds to those who booked the trips.
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As of Tuesday evening, USF did not say it is canceling classes.
University officials say they are advising faculty and staff to prepare for transitioning to online course work, if it becomes necessary to avoid classrooms due to the virus.
"Especially now we’re getting a lot of emphasis working in teams, that would make things a lot more difficult having to try and work with your groups online and not in person," said junior Peter Miller.
As of this week, there have been no cases of coronavirus associated with USF on any of our campuses.
