Western Carolina Chancellor Kelli Brown sent out a notice on Wednesday evening in alignment with a UNC system decision to move all students online and out of the classroom.
WCU is extending its official spring break by an additional week until Monday, March 23.
This additional week will help enable faculty members to take the steps necessary to make the transition from in-person classes to delivery of their course materials online or via other distance methods that do not require face-to-face classes, explains Brown in the press release.
“We recognize that, in some cases, face-to-face instruction may be the only viable option, but we want to encourage every effort to reduce the need for students to gather in large groups,” says Brown in the press release.
Alternative forms of course delivery will begin on March 23 and will continue as long as the UNC System deems necessary.
However, the university will remain open. WCU will continue to provide services to students who need to remain on campus and operate the business functions of the university.
Because all UNC institutions are restricted from hosting gatherings of 100 or more people the chancellor’s installation week activities are postponed. This includes the chancellor’s installation ceremony scheduled for Friday, March 27.
All university-sponsored travel outside the state of North Carolina has also been suspended and in-state travel to gatherings of 100 or more people. This applies to faculty, staff and students.
Here is the complete list ofguidelines from the UNC System and WCU coronavirus updates website.
