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ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Another local college has decided to suspend its in-person classes to help prevent the potential spread of coronavirus.
In a statement released Wednesday, Belmont College President Paul Gasparro said the school will extend its spring break by a week and then transition into online/remote learning on March 23.
"As the health and safety of our campus community is our highest priority, Belmont is taking additional steps. We have an academic plan in place based on Governor DeWine's recommendation and we are transitioning face-to-face classes to online/remote learning. Courses and labs which cannot be moved online will have alternative plans. While we recognize that these steps are necessary, we also understand the importance of the exchange of ideas that occur in our classrooms every day. We are disrupting this process only in an effort to keep our community safe," Gasparro said.
At Belmont College, Gasparro noted that though the CDC considers Covid-19 a serious public health concern, the immediate risk to the general public currently is considered low.
"It is best to practice healthy habits including frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding contact with those who are ill," he said.
The students, faculty and staff at Belmont College already have iPads they can use for their school work given to them by Belmont College. The college noted it does not have any students or staff infected with the virus at this time.
Also, Franciscan University of Steubenville is suspending all in-person classes until April 3 and is moving all instruction to online and other alternative learning options as university officials deal with the coronavirus.
"Over the last many days and weeks, the University leadership team has participated in countless meetings regarding the coronavirus. We have had Masses said, spent time in prayer, and had meeting after meeting," the Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, the university president, said in a statement to students, faculty and staff.
The decision comes after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine made recommendations to colleges and universities in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus in the state. According to university officials, all classes converted to the online format will begin no later than March 23. Students will hear directly from their respective deans and faculty instructors regarding specific instructions and class start dates. Courses that were originally delivered online will continue as originally scheduled.
Franciscan residence halls will remain open, as will food service. Resident students have the option to stay in the residence halls during this transitional time, according to university officials.
On Tuesday, Ohio University decided to also go online, along with West Virginia University and several other Ohio colleges, to prevent the possible spread of the virus. Their classes will be online only until at least March 30.
Also, Ohio University Eastern's Celebrate Women 2020 event, previously set for March 19, has been postponed. No rescheduled date has been set.
Meanwhile, it also was announced Wednesday that U.S. Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, decided to cancel upcoming service academy seminars "out of an abundance of caution." The decision was made "based on guidance from the CDC and Governor DeWine regarding postponing large indoor meetings."