While Illinois State University has told students to stay away due to the coronavirus, Illinois Wesleyan and Heartland Community College have yet to take similar extraordinary measures.
ISU announced Wednesday it was extending spring break by one week and then shifting to online instruction through at least April 12. Colleges across the country have done the same.
IWU is currently on spring break and is scheduled to resume classes March 16. IWU's emergency response team is meeting daily to evaluate the best course of action, said spokesperson John Twork.
"Part of our preparations include exploring expanded options for distance learning, such as online course instruction," Twork said via email. "We will promptly communicate our course of action, which will be made with a commitment to assuring the health and safety of our campus community and the continuity of our academic offerings."
Heartland is also on spring break this week. Heartland's executive staff has used the week to review their options "to maintain campus health and safety and quality instruction as we monitor this rapidly developing situation," said spokesperson Steve Fast.
"Heartland's Incident Management Team has been working since January with multiple groups ... to prepare for altering any operations of the college that might be impacted by COVID-19," Fast said. "We'll be communicating with students, faculty and staff throughout the remainder of the week the details of any operational changes."
