Area Colleges, Universities Move to Online Classes

In response to COVID-19 concerns, area colleges and universities have transitioned to online or alternative methods for spring classes.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is moving from in-person classes to remote learning, beginning Monday, March 16. The campus will not close - faculty and staff will report to campus - but President Anton Reese said in a Friday message, "Until further notice, students should not report to class."

For students who do not have online access, the college is working to provide limited online access on their Paducah campus.

Students in technical programs which use school equipmenthands-on training and skill assessment. Students will be
receiving additional information about classes from their instructors.

More details are available at westkentucky.kctcs.edu/covid-19/

Murray State University's spring break is March 16-22. Beginning on Monday, March 23, class instruction will continue through online or alternative delivery methods only (not face-to-face) through Sunday, April 5. This includes regional campus sites at Fort Campbell, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Madisonville and Paducah.

Before this period, students may checkout laptops from the University Libraries for their use while away from campus.

MSU is encouraging students to remain at home unless there are unpreventable circumstances (such as international students, student teachers or practicum and clinical students who need to stay on campus). While residence halls and Waterfield Library will be open during this time, no campus activities or events will take place and resources such as the Wellness Center, gyms and activity areas inside John W. Carr Hall, Wrather Museum, Cutchin Field House (Racer Arena) and Lovett Auditorium will be closed. Students are encouraged to practice social distancing.

Visit their website regularly for additional updates at https://msublueandgold.org/2020/03/murray-state-university-coronavirus-covid-19-information/

Shawnee Community College spring break runs through March 22, and faculty are using this time to move face-to-face courses to online or synchronous meeting delivery options. The alternative delivery options will begin on March 23rd. Face-to-face classes that did not convert to an alternative delivery option will resume on that day. 

In addition, many large-group functions have been and will be cancelled, including the Annual Career Fair scheduled for next week and the upcoming High School Business Skills Competition. Currently, no alternate dates have been set for cancelled events. 

For more information regarding Shawnee Community College’s response to the COVID-19 Virus visit our website https://shawneecc.edu/statements-concerning-covid-19.        

At Southern Illinois University, spring break was March 9-15, but has been extended through March 22 so faculty can convert courses for delivery in alternative formats. Effective Monday, March 23, classes will be offered in online or other alternative formats until further notice. There may be challenges for some students with accessing online or alternative platforms, so SIU is reviewing options that may work for instructors and students. 

The university’s operations, including teaching and research, will continue. The campus will remain open, and staff will report to work as usual. 

Group events that involve the more than 25 people will be canceled through at least April 25. This includes regular meetings and one-time events. The Missouri Valley Conference has also canceled all sporting events. 

For more information about SIU during this pandemic, visit https://shc.siu.edu/coronavirus/ .

In-person classes at University of Tennessee at Martin, along with the flagship university in Knoxville and other campuses, are temporarily suspended until further notice. Classes at UTM are suspended until April 3 and will be conducted online. Students who do not have computer access should contact local libraries for possible use of technology resources.

All nursing clinicals are cancelled. Student teachers should contact the Department of Educational Studies for details, and alternate plans are being determined for Vet Tech mandatory labs.

For more information, see https://www.utm.edu/alerts/corona.php .