DUDLEY - In-person classes, on-campus living, and athletics all are up in the air due to coronavirus concerns. Administrators at schools like Nichols College are preparing in case they have to make changes following spring break.
Nichols College Vice President of Academic Affairs Mauri Pelto says they have a plan if they decide to cancel in-person classes.
Pelto said, "I think the biggest thing is we just have to listen to the Department of Public Health officials, you know what our local and state government are telling us to do."
The school is recommending students take home books and essential items. Students don't know what's ahead.
Sophomore Tyler Dunn says, "I'm glad that they're keeping us safe, I just hope we get part of our room and board back if they're gonna shut the school down for two weeks."
Students on the baseball team say they are supposed to leave for a series of games in Florida tomorrow.
Nate Cormier says, "We're supposed to play Springfield College and they just canceled their Florida trip, so that's one game gone so it's just kinda,... everything is disappearing I guess, it's weird."
They say it would devastating if their season ends early.
Member DJ Caron says, "We've worked our tails off for a very long time this whole year."
Pelto says faculty members have been training with their online software.
The courses would be the same material and times.
Pelto says, "Probably 60% of our classes, the material is already there. You're just going to deliver it in a different way."
Nichols administrators are meeting every day to finalize plans. The President's Council will ultimately make the decision.
Nichols students leave for their spring break at the end of the week. The decision whether or not to continue in-person classes will have to be made before their break ends.
Pelto said the bright spot is the school preparing to go all-online could help with things in the future like extended snow days or when teachers have to leave for conferences.