IUP, Robert Morris go online for rest of spring semester

More area universities have extended online instruction for the rest of the school year, as hopes of returning to normal operation all but fade away during the covid-19 pandemic.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania has suspended all face-to-face instruction for the remainder of the spring semester and has asked students living in residence halls to move out by Saturday to help decrease the spread of covid-19.

The university will transition to online-only instruction, IUP said in a news release issued Monday. It isn’t considering extending the semester at this time.

“I know that these changes are drastic and that they affect you deeply,” President Michael A. Driscoll said. “All of us are working together to make the rest of the semester a rewarding and safe educational experience for all of our students. I am confident that together, with patience and tolerance for each other, we will succeed. Please continue to protect yourself and those around you.”

All students living in residence halls were asked to remove their belongings and check out by March 21. More details regarding the move-out process would be sent to students later Monday as well as information about options for students who need to remain in university housing because of emergency situations.

Online courses that were scheduled to begin Monday will resume as planned and continue as scheduled. All remaining classes will transition to online delivery and should start March 23, the university said.

Students who are in clock-hour programs such as culinary, police academy, and EMT and paramedic training will receive instructions from their program directors.

Driscoll stressed that the university is not closing. He said faculty and staff members will report to work as scheduled to continue efforts to restructure classes and events to follow recommended health guidelines. Business offices continue to be open, and staff are taking increased precautions for cleaning.

Meanwhile, Robert Morris University announced that online instruction will continue throughout the remainder of the semester.

Robert Morris suspended face-to-face instruction last week, beginning online classes Monday. At the time, the university was unsure if the new procedure would remain for the rest of the school year.

“While we had intended to be ready to return to normal operations as early as April 6, it is clear this is no longer advisable, given the collective action required to keep our communities safe from the coronavirus,” President Christopher Howard wrote in a letter to the campus.

The university is also establishing a process for students to move out of dorms, Howard wrote. Students who cannot return home are permitted to stay on campus, and services like meals and medical care will continue to be provided.

All university events have been canceled, and several facilities are now closed until further notice.

“I realize that while none of this is unexpected, given what has happened in the U.S. and abroad over the past several days, it is deeply disappointing,” said Howard. “This is not how any of us envisioned the spring would unfold, and it is certainly not what we wanted.”

Staff writer Teghan Simonton contributed to this report. Madasyn Lee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Madasyn at 724-226-4702, mczebiniak@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLeeTrib.