BEREA, Ky. — Berea College announced that it would stop all instructional activity by Friday, March 13, due to challenges associated with COVID-19.
In an email to the college community, administrators said that the college could not adequately assure student and employee safety if a case of coronavirus was found on campus.
Professors and faculty were asked to end their classes by Friday. Administrators noted that since students may not have internet access, classes should not continue outside of the college.
Administrators said that residence halls would need to be fully vacated. However, students could stay on campus by applying at Berea College's Student Life. Administrators said that students who stay on campus would need to continue fulfilling labor responsibilities and could be moved to other duties.
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Students could also apply for assistance with travel costs through Student Life. All students will be paid for campus work positions through the end of the semester, even if they are not on campus, administrators said.
Staff should plan to continue their jobs until they hear from the college's Vice President, administrators said.
The college has not decided whether it will cancel its commencement celebration or postpone it to a later date. However, summer academic travel through the BIST program has been canceled.
Six cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Kentucky by Tuesday, with a population of 4.4 million. The virus causes flu-like symptoms such as shortness of breath, a fever or a cough.