SAN ANTONIO – Amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and President Donald Trump banning travel from Europe, nearly every higher education institution in the Alamo City has taken precautions of their own.
READ MORE | University of Texas at Austin Extends Spring Break Due to Coronavirus
On Wednesday afternoon, announcements were made by the Alamo Colleges Districts, University of Texas-San Antonio, Texas A&M San Antonio, and Trinity University on how they plan to minimize the risk of exposure on campus.
Below is a summary of how each institution is combating the pandemic:
Alamo Colleges
For Students:
All classes are canceled March 16-20 as faculty and staff prepare to transition to working, teaching and learning remotely. Campuses and buildings are closed to students the week of March 16-20 with the exception of college libraries and computer labs. Classes will resume on March 23 through remote teaching and learning.
Students should not to return to campuses for classes and will be instructed on how to continue classes and receive support remotely.
All study abroad programs for summer are canceled.
For Employees:
Alamo Colleges District employees will be working modified schedules the week of March 16-20. Business travel outside of San Antonio continues to be limited to essential travel, which is travel required by law or in relation to the health and safety of the Alamo Colleges District community.
Additional Precautions:
Alamo Colleges District is canceling, postponing or transitioning large meetings, events and gatherings online through April 15. Additionally, all sporting events and extracurricular activities are postponed through April 15.
University of Texas-San Antonio
Extending spring break for its students through the week of March 15
Classes resume on March 23 and will be conducted via online platforms
Online delivery of instruction will continue at least through April 13, campus housing will be open
Social distancing practices for public events involving more than 50 people—postponing or canceling events is encouraged
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Extension of Spring Break with classes going online for one week beginning Monday, March 23. The university will remain open as normal with all services operating.
Campus will remain open for normal business operations.
Student support services will continue to operate, including the Library, Dining Hall, Student Wellness and Counseling Center, Parking, Bursar and Business Services.
Esperanza Hall (residence hall) will resume normal operations Sunday, March 15, for students in the residence halls who need to return to campus.
In anticipation of growing concern due to the spread of COVID-19, the university is canceling or postponing events. A list of these events can be found at tamusa.edu/coronavirus.
Trinity University
Beginning March 23, the University will transition to online learning for all classes for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester.
Extending spring break through March 22, and student residence halls and City Vista Apartments will be closed for normal occupancy beginning Monday, March 16.
Students may return to campus during the suspended semester only to collect their personal belongings. Special considerations will be made for students who cannot return home.
Trinity University Athletics will end its spring season on March 23, allowing student athletes to return home. All home and away athletics events after March 23 are canceled for the remainder of the spring semester, including Tiger-hosted tournaments.
At this time, University offices will remain open and faculty and staff will continue to work on campus.
For updated information on Trinity University’s response to COVID-19, visit https://new.trinity.edu/emergency.
St. Mary's Hall
All classes March 16-20 are canceled
Distance Learning Plan will be initiated March 23-April 3
Will assess the situation after April 3
St. Mary's University
Extending spring break, classes will resume online on March 23
Resident students have the option to remain on campus or to finish the semester from their permanent homes.
For the latest information from the CDC go here.
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