As coronavirus continues to spread, Adventist colleges and universities are responding in various ways. Some are transitioning to distance learning for the rest of the term and/or school year, while others are maintaining normal operations.
Below is a list of responses from Adventist colleges and universities in North America, along with direct links to information on the schools’ websites to learn more and stay up to date on this rapidly changing situation.
AdventHealth University
As of March 12, AHU has stated that “classes and activities will continue to take place as scheduled,” but the university “has increased infection prevention measures on campus, at housing locations, and on university shuttles.”
March 13 Update: “In light of newly identified COVID-19 cases in Central Florida, as well as the closure of all public and many private schools in Florida beginning March 16, AdventHealth University will accelerate its shift to remote learning.”
Find updates here: https://www.ahu.edu/campus/policies-and-campus-safety/campus-safety/covid-19-info
Andrews University
On March 11, Andrews announced it would be switching to distance learning beginning Monday, March 23, at the end of the spring semester break. Additionally, Pioneer Memorial Church announced that effective immediately it will be switching to online-only worship.
Find updates here: https://www.andrews.edu/services/safety/resources/covid19/index.html
Burman University
In an update posted March 12, Burman announced that all “courses will move from face-to-face to online delivery beginning Monday, March 23, and for the remainder of the winter semester.”
Find updates here: https://www.burmanu.ca/virus
Kettering College
According to a statement issued March 10, “all face-to-face lecture class meetings are canceled until further notice” beginning March 11, and classes will “continue online and through digitally mediated means.” However, “clinical training activities for students are continuing at this time. Students and clinical instructors who appear ill should not attend clinicals. If you are sick, stay home and report your absence to your clinical instructor or program director.”
Find updates here: http://kc.edu/coronavirus/
La Sierra University
LSU announced on March 11 that beginning March 16 “academic instruction and exams will be delivered remotely” and that winter quarter exams will be delivered online. Additionally, “students will begin spring quarter on March 30, 2020 by registering for and starting their courses online.”
More information here: https://lasierra.edu/article/campus-operations-update-regarding-covid-19/
Loma Linda University
On March 12, LLUH stated, “University leadership, in consultation with our health experts, has assessed the status of our campus and concluded that we can continue normal operations for the time being.” However, all major events on campus have been cancelled through April 30 or until further notice, according to an email from President Richard H. Hart. Meanwhile, Loma Linda University Church announced it will “suspend worship services and Sabbath school programs this Sabbath. We will take future weeks on a week-to-week basis, fully understanding that the potential for this suspension to last longer is high.”
March 13 Update: Winter Quarter exams will continue as planned, but Spring Quarter classes will “be moving to an online instructional format…except for pharmacy students,” with face-to-face instruction anticipated to resume for all students on May 4, 2020 (subject to change).
Find updates here: https://home.llu.edu/campus-and-spiritual-life/student-services/coronavirus-covid-19-updates
Oakwood University
Oakwood announced on March 12 that it would maintain normal operations, but that it has suspended all university-sponsored international and domestic travel, and is “currently testing all systems to ensure that academic continuity is maintained in the event of a disruption. Testing its systems includes piloting the transfer of traditional face-to-face courses to an online platform. This is currently being implemented in a limited number of courses and the participating students and faculty have been notified. All other course offerings will continue as normal and students should report to classes, until further notice.”
March 13 Update: “Given today’s first reported case in the State of Alabama, we are escalating our institutional response to further protect our students, faculty, staff, alumni, supporters and our larger Huntsville community…. As of March 13, 2020, Oakwood University students are asked to begin preparations to leave campus by Friday, March 20, 2020. Standard campus hours of operation remain in place for all University employees. All Spring 2020 face-to-face classes will be converted to social distance teaching through an online format beginning, Monday, March 23, 2020.”
Find updates here: https://www2.oakwood.edu/oakwood-university-coronavirus-covid-19-update/
Pacific Union College
PUC announced on March 12 that “all face-to-face instruction on Pacific Union College campus will conclude after… Friday, March 13, 2020” with the plan to “deliver classes remotely (i.e., online) for the first four weeks of Spring Quarter, starting on Monday, March 30th.” The school currently plans to resume face-to-face classes on April 27th, 2020. The Alumni Homecoming scheduled for April 17-19 is also cancelled.
Find updates here: https://www.puc.edu/news/coronavirus-updates-and-resources/puc-update-5
Southern Adventist University
On March 12, Southern announced it “will move to online and/or video distance learning for the rest of the semester. Spring Break will be extended a week with classes resuming online on March 30, 2020.”
Find updates here: https://www.southern.edu/connect/coronavirus.html
Southwestern Adventist University
As of March 12, Southwestern stated it is currently “planning to continue classes, spring break, and campus events as currently scheduled. As this situation is evolving, updates will be promptly announced.”
March 13 Update: “Spring Break will be extended by one week, with limited on-campus activity resuming March 30. We are working to ensure our students are able to complete the courses they started this semester. This may include delivering selected course content online for the remainder of the term. Further information will soon be available.”
March 17 Update: “After Spring Break, students who choose to return to campus will be able to return to the residence halls upon clearance from Student Services. All courses are moving online effective March 30, 2020. Students may choose to live on campus or stay at home. Professors are actively preparing for the transition to the online format.”
Find updates here: https://www.swau.edu/virusinfo5
Union College
On March 12, Union stated, “campus leadership has decided to transition to an online model for classes following an extended two-week spring break. The break will begin as scheduled on March 16 and classes will now resume on March 30.”
Find updates here: https://ucollege.edu/covid-19
Walla Walla University
On March 12, WWU stated all face-to-face instruction would conclude on Friday, March 13, and winter quarter final exams would be administered online. “Walla Walla University will deliver classes remotely for the first four weeks of spring quarter, starting Monday, March 30, 2020,” with a “plan to reconvene face-to-face classes on Monday, April 27, 2020.”
Find updates here: wallawalla.edu/coronavirus
Washington Adventist University
WAU issued a statement on March 12 that it will cancel classes Monday and Tuesday (March 16-17) so faculty can prepare for online instruction which will begin Wednesday, March 18. “All classes will be taught through the… student learning platform through Friday, April 3rd, 2020 — after which the need to continue exclusive use of distance learning for the duration of the semester will be determined.”
Find updates here: https://www.wau.edu/virus/
Alisa Williams is managing editor of SpectrumMagazine.org
Photo by Changbok Ko on Unsplash
Editor's Note: This article was updated on Monday, March 16, to reflect the most recent information available.
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