UNCW moves classes online to avoid coronavirus

The University of North Carolina Wilmington announced Wednesday classes would move online as of March 20 to avoid the potential spread of coronavirus.

The school sent an email to students, sharing UNCW was directed by the University of North Carolina System to move classes online. All System schools, which includes UNCW, UNC Chapel Hill, N.C. State and East Carolina, will move classes online next week.

“Please know we understand you and your families have many important questions about travel, online instruction beginning on March 23, the timing of students’ return to campus given the extension of spring break through next week, the impact on faculty and staff, and so forth,” the email states. “We ask that you afford us some patience while we gather additional information so we can share a more comprehensive update.”

All UNCW System institutions will remain open and continue delivering instruction to students, according to the email. At the same time, the school said it is working to “maximize flexibility” in how it will deliver education and limit the potential impact of the virus.

To do this, all schools will move from in-person instruction to online no later than March 20, with online classes beginning March 23 lasting indefinitely.

“Our goal is to return to in-person instruction as soon as reasonably possible,” the email states.

University leadership will determine which classes (such as those with labs) will continue in-person.

All outside gatherings of 100 or more people will be canceled or postponed, which has an impact on athletics.

As of Wednesday afternoon, however, all home athletic events scheduled on campus will still be held through the weekend, according to a tweet from the UNCW athletics account.

University-sponsored in-state travel to gatherings of 100 or more people is suspended, as is all travel outside the state, unless otherwise authorized by a chancellor or provost.

Reporter Ashley Morris can be reached at 910-343-2096 or Ashley.Morris@StarNewsOnline.com.