Old North News

Colleges across the Piedmont Triad are transitioning to remote learning as preventative measures mount with the threat of the new coronavirus.

By Thursday, the positive coronavirus cases rose to 97 in North Carolina and institutions do not want to risk their students. So far, none of the cases have been reported at colleges.

“All UNC System institutions will transition from in-person instruction to a system of alternative course delivery, where possible and practical, no later than March 20," said the UNC System said on its website. "Alternative course delivery will begin on March 23 and last indefinitely. Our goal is to return to in-person instruction as soon as reasonably possible. Each institution will communicate the specific details to its students and faculty.”

Most information regarding each school will be distributed individually by each institution.

As the alternative course delivery is implemented where possible, it is the university leadership that decides whether classes that have mandatory attendance, such as labs, will continue to meet in person.

The university system has also canceled all gatherings of 100 or more people unless otherwise stated.

University-sponsored travel is also suspended by gatherings of 100 or more people as well.

Ultimately, the university system is “ready to adapt quickly as circumstances evolve” and they “remain focused on the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, and the delivery of core academic missions,” said the UNC System.

The list of the all universities in the North Carolina University System are found here.

The response to the COVID-19 virus is especially daunting for arts students.

North Carolina School of the Arts has also suspended in-person classes.

“UNCSA has made the very difficult decision to suspend in-person classes for the entire spring semester," the school wrote on its website. "This means that when we transition to a 100% online format on Monday, March 23, we will continue in that environment for the duration of those courses. This also means that all student performances and events scheduled during the rest of the spring semester are effectively canceled.”