Judson University is sending students home and will switch to online classes starting Monday in an effort to head off the spread of coronavirus, university officials said.
“Everybody was blown away by it,” Judson student Ovauntay Vickers, 20, said of the decision. “I know some seniors were distraught not knowing if they’ll be able to walk (at spring commencement).”
The Elgin-based school is one of many around the country that is shifting from classrooms to computers as the number of people contracting the illness continues to increase.
“By moving to digital learning, Judson hopes to limit large group exposure and minimize the risk of spreading the virus should a member of the Judson community become infected,” Judson President Gene Crume said. “Several other organizations are also following this practice as witnessed by recent announcements from the NCAA, NBA and several other colleges and universities.”
Among the other Illinois schools to make the same shift are the University of Illinois, Illinois State University, Northwestern University, North Central College, University of Chicago and Loyola University. DePaul University has canceled all school events until further notice.
Students in the Judson campus were getting ready to move out their dorm rooms Thursday. Vickers’ vehicle was almost packed hours after the school’s notification; he will head back to Saginaw, Michigan, this weekend, he said.
As a psychology major, Vickers doesn’t anticipate any problems taking classes online, he said. “But maybe for theater or architecture majors it may be more difficult,” he said.
In-person classes will continue through Friday for traditional students and through Saturday for graduate and adult students, Crume said.
Digital learning classes will be in place through the end of the spring semester, which ends in May.
“Faculty have begun working to establish a path forward for students to complete their coursework for the term, and will communicate with each class in the upcoming days,” Crume said.
Judson’s four campus dorms, home to 415 students, are to close at 5 p.m. Sunday. Students who live more than six hours away can request an extension in order to make travel arrangements, officials said.
Only international students will be allowed to remain on campus through May 4, with dining services still available to them.
Yuping Gu, an international student from Shanghai, China, said he was discussing his options with family.
“For a lot of international students, it can be difficult to book flights, pack your stuff and plan to go,” said Gu, 20. He said he was encouraged by news reports that coronavirus cases were decreasing in China.
Judson’s spring athletic teams will continue their seasons unless the NAIA, NCCAA or the Chicagoland Athletic Conference cancels or postpones games, Crume said in his note. Student-athletes whose homes are more than an hour away can apply for an extension to remain on campus, he said.
Jasmine Jackson, a track and field student-athlete at Judson, said the spring season was still a go as of Thursday. Jackson commutes to campus from her Elgin home.
For many on campus, the news was upsetting but “they also understood it is out of our hands,” she said.
When asked about going all digital for the remainder of the semester, Jackson said “it should be OK. Most things you turn in are through online.”
“Faculty and staff will work diligently, maintaining normal business hours, to provide services,” Crume said. “Digital resources available through the Student Success Services are available to those who will study from homes as well as the small group of students remaining on campus.”
Decisions on other university events, activities, boot camps and summer classes at a later time, officials said. A decision on spring commencement will be announced before April 9.
Elgin Community College
Elgin Community College has not yet suspended classes or switched to online instruction but is intensifying cleaning efforts, limiting travel and taking other precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus, officials said.
In a statement issued Wednesday, school officials said all out-of-state travel sponsored by the college will be canceled from Monday through April 30. In-state travel is being allowed for the time being.
ECC’s summer study abroad programs in Italy, one the countries hardest hit countries by the virus, are canceled, the statement said.
The college will conduct a deep cleaning of all campus bathrooms, surfaces, floors and other areas during spring break, which starts March 23. It will also adhere to CDC-recommended cleaning protocols, the notification said.
Additional disinfectant wipes have been purchased, and hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout campus, according to the statement.
ECC officials are meeting daily with the college’s Emergency Operations Center to stay on top of the ongoing situation, the notification said.