USC goes to online classes for the rest of spring semester, reschedules commencement
In an unprecedented move, the University of South Carolina has canceled all in-person classes for the rest of the semester and has postponed commencement for all campuses, officials said Thursday.
Classes will be converted to online-only, the school said in a news release. Those set to graduate will still receive a degree, the release said.
“I realize that these actions will be deeply disappointing to our students, particularly those who are about to graduate and were looking forward to a final semester on campus,” USC President Bob Caslen said in the release. “The coronavirus presents a serious risk to public health, and we must take these actions in order to best protect our students, faculty and staff.”
The university has not said when the commencement ceremony will be held.
USC, the largest university in South Carolina, has been ramping up its online classes in recent years, but has never before required all classes to be held online, spokesman Jeff Stensland said.
Students with “extenuating circumstances” will be allowed to remain on campus. Students who paid for meals, dorms and parking will be reimbursed, but it’s unclear how that will happen, according to the release. Students who left belongings in their dorms will be able to pick them up, though the specifics of that have not been decided.
Per an executive order from S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, only “essential, mission-critical employees” will be required to report to work.
The announcement comes as the number of coronavirus cases in South Carolina rose to 81 patients in 17 counties. That’s a stark increase from seven days ago when there were 12 cases in four counties.
USC said the decision to cancel in-person classes was made after consulting with the state and federal officials, according to the release.
Two USC professors told The State on Monday they knew this was possible.
“I’m preparing to do the rest of my semester online though I’ll certainly be glad to go back into the regular classroom if we are able,” said Christian Anderson, an associate professor of higher education.
Bethany Bell, an associate professor of social work, said Monday she was expecting the university to go to online classes only.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 5:11 PM.