TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Florida State University is directing faculty to be ready to shift their courses from face-to-face classes to online for the rest of the semester, should the need arise.
Tuesday, Florida State University Provost Sally McRorie directed the university’s faculty and academic instructors to be ready to shift their courses from traditional campus-based, face-to-face classes to online and other alternate methods of delivery for the remainder of the semester following spring break, if it becomes necessary.
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McRorie stressed that even if courses are moved online, the university would remain open for business and all employees would continue to report to work.
However, students are encouraged to take all academic course materials with them when they leave for spring break, just in case they need to finish their spring courses remotely.
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While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 in Leon County, university officials say they have been proactively working for several weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while also preparing for the possibility of a case within the campus community.
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In addition, McRorie also announced the cancellation of the university’s International Programs spring break study abroad trips.
Spring break at Florida State is scheduled for March 16-20. Classes will resume Monday, March 23.
"While the possible move to distance learning midterm would be a historic first at Florida State, it would not be unprecedented," the press release read. "The university successfully moved all academic courses offered at the FSU Panama City campus to online delivery after Hurricane Michael’s devastating impact on Bay County in October 2018."
FSU says the campus community will be notified with specific instructions via email if the university decides to move classes online.
The guidance for online instruction includes the FSU Panama City campus. At this time, no changes are planned for the College of Medicine regional campuses.
Refer to fsu.edu/coronavirusfor the latest official university updates on coronavirus (COVID-19).