While no cases of COVID-19 have been reported on campus, officials at Brenau University in Gainesville said Thursday they will send all students home for the rest of the semester and switch to an online learning platform.
University officials issued a press statement saying the school will suspend on-ground classes effective Monday, March 16. Students will be required to vacate the Gainesville campus by March 22. Online learning is scheduled to begin March 23.
President Anne Skleder said in a video posted on the university's Twitter account that the decision was not made lightly.
“There have been no cases of COVID-19. However, we feel strongly that we must out of an abundance of caution follow the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control recommendations and keep our staff, faculty and students our reason for being as safe as possible while reducing the interruption to their learning,” Skleder said.
Brenau officials said all students who are able to leave campus will be required to leave by Sunday, March 22. Students who need to remain on campus will have to request a waiver.
In addition to students being asked to leave campus, Brenau will require faculty and most staff to work remotely starting Monday, March 23.
Effective immediately, faculty, staff and student-only events through the remainder of the semester are canceled. All Gainesville community events scheduled to be held on Brenau Gainesville campuses through April 3 are canceled. Future Gainesville community events will be evaluated on a weekly basis beginning Monday, April 6.
All spring extracurricular activities, including athletic practices and games, are canceled for the balance of the spring semester.
