EUGENE, Ore. — The University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Portland State University and University of Portland announced steps they are taking to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.
With spring break coming, the universities are enacting the following measures.
University of Oregon
- Effective Sunday, March 15, the UO will cancel nonessential events and gatherings of more than 50 people.
- No final exams will be offered in-person for winter term.
- For the first three weeks of the spring term – which starts March 30 – the UO will deliver all classes remotely.
- Effective Sunday, March 15, all nonessential university travel, both domestic and international, is suspended indefinitely.
- Students, faculty, and staff should consider not traveling during spring break.
- The UO campus remains open and operating under a normal schedule, including business functions, offices hours and other support operations.
- Residence halls will stay open over spring break and beyond, and limited dining will be available during spring break.
- Athletic events in Eugene will take place as scheduled but will continue to be evaluated. Attendance at the events, beginning March 15, will be limited to competing student-athletes, coaches and staff; essential working personnel; families of competing student-athletes and coaches; credentialed media; and recruits.
Oregon State University
- Effective March 14, campuses and OSU facilities and operations statewide will remain open.
- Winter term finals week exams and activities will be delivered remotely where possible. Where remote teaching, coursework and testing is not possible, maximum social distancing measures will be utilized.
- All non-essential OSU-sponsored travel will be suspended.
- All OSU employees will be encouraged to work remotely where work responsibilities and duties allow.
- All OSU students, faculty and staff are encouraged to avoid personal travel over spring break. Students should instead consider remaining at our campuses in Corvallis and Bend.
Portland State University
- Spring term classes will be offered as scheduled and most classes will be taught remotely. In mid-April, university officials will reassess next steps based on guidance from health officials.
- PSU will remain open. Students will be able to access support services to ensure that they stay on track with their academic studies, including offering the classes in which they have registered.
- As a way to reduce the spread of coronavirus, we urge the campus community to keep in-person gatherings to a minimum. PSU is urging students, faculty and staff to use remote access and online formats for meetings and optional events.
University of Portland
- In-person classes will shift to online instruction on March 18. No classes will be held on March 16 and 17 to prepare for the transition.
- Students are encouraged to return to their homes or permanent addresses while classes are being held online. Residence halls will remain open.
- All team activities, including athletic competitions and formal/organized practices, are canceled for the remainder of the spring semester.
Editor's note: In Oregon, the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low, according to officials. At KGW, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the virus. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: kgw.com/FactsNotFear