UPDATED — The University of Alabama System campuses will immediately move to online instruction for all academic courses, with the policy to be reevaluated April 6.

It is the latest development among colleges and universities as they try to deal with the threat of COVID-19.

Samford University announced Wednesday that it is beginning online classes as of Monday to avoid exposure to coronavirus. The plan now is to resume classroom attendance at the school April 6, depending on how the situation with the virus develops.

Officials at Birmingham-Southern and Miles colleges also are debating how their schools should handle the pandemic.

Auburn University also will be conducting online classes beginning Monday, when students return from spring break, and continuing until at least April 10.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared the spread of COVID-19 as a pandemic. Alabama is among six states that have no reported cases of the virus.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham will extend its spring break, which begins Monday, until at least Tuesday, March 24.

Following spring break, UAB students should not return to campus but continue classes online.

The exceptions are international students who do not have alternate accommodations; students without ways to receive remote instruction; or students with hardships or academic employment, or clinical or research requirements.

Arrangements will be made for all UAB students remaining on campus to have dining, health and counseling services.

Jefferson State Community College officials have canceled all international and out-of-state travel but say they plan to maintain normal campus operations until spring break, which is March 23-27.

Officials at Lawson State Community College said there are no plans to close the campus.

“We are closely monitoring and evaluating the COVID-19 situation and do have policies in place to make any needed adjustments to enable protection for our students and personnel,” said Geri Albright, Lawson’s director of public relations.

“We are also assessing options with our educational programs to implement online instruction to reduce any major disruptions and lapse in offering,” she added.

 

School Systems

In relation to primary and secondary schools, state Education Superintendent Eric Mackey earlier this week asked all public school districts to notify his department and local health departments of any students, faculty or staff members who have traveled overseas or to hotspots in the U.S.

He recommended districts cancel overseas travel plans during spring break and added that local school systems can make other restrictions, if needed.

Mackey said the state has response teams ready and plans in place, but he could not say how strong the response would be until there was an actual case to address. He did say that if a school has an outbreak, a decision on closing the school would be made in conjunction with the local system and the education and state health departments.

“If there were a confirmed case with a student or a teacher or staff member… we would close that school for 24 to 48 hours and then assess the situation,” Mackey said. Based on the investigation, the state would then determine whether to close the school for a longer period.

“We are closely monitoring and evaluating the COVID-19 situation and do have policies in place to make any needed adjustments to enable protection for our students and personnel,” said Geri Albright, director of public relations.

“We are also assessing options with our educational programs to implement online instruction to reduce any major disruptions and lapse in offering,” she added.