University Will Cease Face-to-Face Instruction

COVID-19 Update Message from Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.

Over the past several weeks, the University’s Incident Management Team and the President’s Cabinet have monitored carefully the worldwide spread of COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “For most people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low. …It’s likely that at some point, widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the United States will occur.”

In Pennsylvania, for example, cases are now reported outside of Philadelphia and in nearby Monroe and Wayne counties. There are still no reported cases on campus or in Lackawanna County. While we don’t know how quickly the virus will spread in the coming weeks, additional cases in Northeastern Pennsylvania now seem likely.

The health and safety of our students, staff and faculty are our top priority. Benefitting from consultation with campus leaders and with input from the President’s Cabinet, I have decided the following:

• The University will cease face-to-face instruction and move classes remotely beginning on Monday, March 30, 2020. Classes will continue on campus as scheduled until March 13.
• This decision extends Spring Break by one week for students only to provide faculty time to complete preparations already under way.
• Remote instruction will continue at least until the conclusion of Easter Break, which begins on April 9. We hope to resume on-campus classes on April 14. We will continue to evaluate the situation and inform you should this date change.
• Current online graduate programs will continue as previously scheduled.

I know that students and families, in particular, will have important questions about the decisions we share today. These include academic questions such as how we will support clinical experiences, internships or research.

Please be patient as we work to address these and other questions. You will hear more from us during break next week.

View the full communication here.

For more information, please visit the University's COVID-19 website.