Gettysburg College has posted statements on their website about the coronavirus, including letters from the college president, provost, and vice president for information technology.
The website indicates there are no current confirmed or suspected cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) at Gettysburg College but that spring break will be extended by one week, through March 22.
“The additional week will provide us with the opportunity to understand more fully the evolution of the outbreak, including now that the first cases have been reported in Pennsylvania. It will also enable us to be as best positioned as possible to resume classes, whether in person or online, as anticipated on March 23,” said college president Bob Iuliano.
This additional week will ensure that we have a fuller complement of information available to us to help determine how we will operate for the remainder of the semester, said a letter from College Provost Chris Zappe and Vice President for Information Technology Rod Tosten. “This additional time will also enable us to work proactively with faculty to begin training for a remote-learning option.”
“We recognize that any adjustment to the academic schedule is disruptive to students and their families, and we do not come to this decision lightly. As we work through the issues presented by this global situation, we will always have as our touchstone the best interests of our students, both educationally and as a matter of their well-being. Given the commitment of our faculty and the entire institution to our students, I am confident that our path forward will uphold the best traditions of this College,” said Iuliano.
Zappe and Tosten said they were asking all faculty members to “consider what it would take to make an immediate shift to remote course delivery, should the spread of the coronavirus in our local community require significant disruptions to campus operations, including the adjustment of on-campus class sessions, for an extended period of time.”
“We understand the tremendous impact a change like this will put on members of our community. We greatly appreciate your professionalism, spirit of collaboration, and resourcefulness in tackling these challenges,” said the letter from Zappe and Tosten.