On Friday night, after a Professor on campus tested positive for COVID19, we were notified that Stanford cancelled all in-person classes for the rest of the quarter, and all final exams (week of March 16) would be some take-at-home version. The professors were to notify classes by today how they planned to finish the semester (for example, since they were losing three class hours and two advising periods for feedback on a drawing portfolio for a product design class, the portfolio requirements were lessened and they will present their portfolios via online photos rather than in person). My daughterās lecture classes today have been via Zoom. It has been pretty stressful as they figure out everything. I wish I had flown her home, but she and I made the decision not to. Out of about 90 residents in her dorm, she said about 20 are still there. Spring break starts March 21stā¦
Yes it is unfortunate for sure. As far as the quarantine goes, I think Vandy is expecting (or hoping at least) that many of the students will leave campus for the duration of the distance learning because the letter states something to the effect that since they understand not all students will leave, that campus will remain open, but that there would be limited or reduced services. So that to me means that students should leave if possible.
I will admit that I am very disappointed that no communications about this were sent directly to the parentsā¦at least I never received anything and they have my contact info. I think this is important enough such that parents should have been notified. @elena13 did you receive direct notification?
Ohio State announced late last night that classes will be virtual until 3/30. The students are on spring break and totally unprepared. Students are allowed to return to campus and it is not quite sure what all will be open. My daughter will be staying home, but we will need to take a trip to campus to pick up some of her stuff. We are local, so that is a blessing. We may have a couple of her friends move in so they can be close to campus.
Iām so sorry for everyoneās turmoil - the disruption is hard on our kidsā plans and goals. It sounds like the colleges are trying hard to make things work, but some things wonāt.
But when S19 started fretting about a possible college closure I asked him about grandma, whoās in the medically fragile group. Wouldnāt he like measures taken to slow the spread (it canāt be stopped at this point) so that if/when she gets this, there is room at the hospital for her? Most US kids have not lived through a national crisis - a war that touched every family, a Depression. Heck, most of us havenāt - I was a Vietnam War kid, but only knew one family with a son serving. Itās given me an opportunity to talk to mine about āthe greater goodā - cheesy, I know.
I am thankful that S is not studying abroad now and having his time cut short. Iām also thankful that heās not a senior and we arenāt fretting about not having a graduation ceremony. Our D21 doesnāt have anything big this spring that we are worried about being cancelled either. Bummer if we have to cancel spring break to see colleges for her but we will just have to reschedule.
If S19 has to stay home a bit longer (even if itās the rest of the year), heās in the same boat as the rest of his college friends (and his high school friends who either are already home or likely to come home).
Iām not good at change and itās taken me a while to adjust to this. Iām hoping kids can go back to school in April. For S, that means he will only be extending his spring break 7-10 days and then be back on campus. Right now, that seems best case scenario.
S19ās break starts Friday. Rumors have been circulating for days that classes may go online after break. Since the majority of students at his campus are from NY/CT/NJ and so many colleges in that general area have already decided to close/go online, Iām surprised his university has not followed suit. But there are still a few days before kids leave, so perhaps they will make that determination soon. I will say his college has been very good about communicating with parents about Coronavirus and even sent out an email yesterday dispelling the circulating rumors.
S19 was supposed to take the train home, with an hour layover in Penn Station. Heās been on/off sick since heās been back after winter break, and last week finally was forced to go to campus clinic after his coach thought he had pink eye (he doesnāt) but he was tested for flu and strep and was negative for both. Heās basically had a cough for six weeks, though about a month ago, he also had a low grade fever and headache. Iām not sure if he was actually diagnosed with bronchitis, but the clinic put him on Augmenten. As a result, Iām a little leery of him being on the train while heās still recovering so Iāve decided to go pick him up instead. Heās going to bring all his books, laptop, etc with him just in case things change while heās home and his school decides to go to online classes. Plus this means he can bring much of his winter stuff he doesnāt really need anymore so we will have less to bring home at the end of the year.
D17ās campus so far is staying open. Sheās in southern CA where several schools have announced going online but so far hers is not. No nearby cases yet. Fortunately sheās in an off campus apartment so if classes go online, she would just stay out there anyway and still be able to continue working at her off campus job. I am SO glad she studied abroad last semester - Madrid, where she was studying, has closed all schools and universities. I feel so lucky she was able to have the experience. Itās so unfortunate for all the kids abroad who had to come home so soon.
My husband is actually in London this week for business. Heās supposed to fly home on Thursday. His flight to London, a trip he makes monthly, was only 1/4 full. At least I didnāt have to worry about anyone coughing on him - he didnāt have anyone seated anywhere near him! Hopefully it will be the same on the way back.
Penn emailed parents and students today with the following update:
*"We are prohibiting all future University-related travel, both domestic and international, at least until April 17, unless expressly approved by the Provost.
We are curtailing large University events (100+ people), at least until April 17.
We are preparing to move classes online in order to prepare for all possible scenarios. We are working with deans and faculty members to prepare for the likelihood of some (or possibly all) remote and virtual instruction after Spring Break.*
While D19 loves being home and understands health and safety is a priority, she is annoyed by the potential disruption to her freshman year of college.
As of now it is business as usual at Tulane. We have had a few emails updating us on their plans which is nice. They are supposed to install Purell stations in all of the buildings though D said she has not noticed that yet (then again she probably isnāt lookingā¦) They are going to have the teachers do at least one class online in the next week as a practice. Spring break doesnāt start until April 4th so they have about 4 weeks of class left before vacation. D was hoping to go to LA then come home for a few days but I am not sure that will be happening now.
I just got back from a ski trip to Steamboat Springs, CO. The flights both ways had lots of open seats, although I think I remember seeing there were plenty of seats when I looked to upgrade about a week before the trip. Saw a few people in the airport with masks but nobody seemed to be using them correctly - lifting them up and touching them a lot. My friends and I did bring Clorox wipes and wiped down the seats. We also brought mini hand sanitizers and used them at the airport and while skiing. It is a pain to remember to do these things every time you touch something, I know I forgot half the time.
We have our trip to visit D in New Orleans coming up in two weeks, just waiting on that one I guess- luckily we have 3 days before check in to cancel the hotel and I know Jet Blue will give us credit for the flights.
@momtogkc If Wake and Davidson cancel their tours, we might just change our tickets to go see Tulane instead! Itās on D21ās list. Trying to think of alternate plans just in case. Iād hate to cancel the trip entirely! Spring break for D starts March 30 so, if Tulane is still up and running, itās an option!
@homerdog That could be a good idea! I will keep you updated if they decide to shut down. I will just miss you, we leave the 27th (although I may change the entire trip by a few days now that D21ās school trip to NYC was cancelled!)
I wrote this on another thread as well, but Midd is also moving to online, off.campus teaching at least until April.
Weāll be picking up D19 from Midd on Friday, and also hosting her friends from New Rochelle.
The email (irrelevant text not included):
@PurplePlum - Yes, I did receive an e-mail about the changes from the interim Chancellor at about 8:15 last night so maybe yours went to spam?
S19 is staying an working on campus for now. My daughter and I are supposed to go visit him this weekend and if that plan holds, Iāll see if he wants to come home with us on Sunday. I think heās quite reluctant to give up any of the college experience but not sure how much fun it will be staying in the dorms working. I told him not to go to parties. 
@elena13 what percent of Vandy kids does he think are staying? S19ās Vandy friend on the way home.
@homerdog - his estimate is that 60% will stay for now. Weāll see!
So son19 headed home for rest of semester as school shutters itās doors due to coronavirus. So virtual classes rest of semester, and no spring sports. Serious w t f moment. MIT Harvard too, so Iām sure my other kid at N
Interestingly enough, the Chancellor sent another email out last night that clarified things. In it, she specifically left it up to each student to decide whether our not he/she wanted to remain on campus, which is quite different from other schools where students are being told to leave if possible. So perhaps this accounts for a larger amount of kids staying. My D says that about 50% of her friends are staying, though some of that probably will change as the days go on.
At my other Dās school (sheās in grad school), the undergrads were clearly told to not return after spring break if possible. The graduate students were not directed to leave, but were told that their research will continue, though their classes will be online.
At both of these schools, there was not yet a confirmed case of Covid-19 on campus, but rather just students who may have been exposed to an infected person.
Iām sad for all the kids that donāt get to finish their year on campus. DD is at home for spring break and really hopes her school doesnāt close. She was already feeling like her remaining time there was slipping away too fast.
In other news, she has an interview this afternoon for her dream summer job/internship! That worked out well that they called during her break.
@RightCoaster ugh. Iām sorry. No track obviously. Bowdoin just sent an email. Our kids are on break now and are not to return. Rest of the semester online. More details coming with info on how to retrieve anything one might need from the dorms since, when kids left for break, they didnāt know this would happen. Obviously, those of us far away arenāt going back to get anything. We will just make do with what S19 has here and buy him clothes/shoes if he didnāt bring enough home. This is awful. Heās sad. Was just in a group chat with all of his running friends and they are all upset.
Itās typical over reaction to everything. I donāt think sending college kids home is going to prevent the outbreak of virus when you have a lot of snotty nose elementary kids still running all over the place, seriously.
Itās just a huge CYA movement by the schools.
Itās good to be safe and all that, but I seriously worry more about my kid getting run over by a car or stabbed by an errant javelin pole than coronavirus.
Spring Break team trip cancelled too, which we already paid for. Hey, who needs an extra $750 bucks anyways? And then rush over here and pick up your kid ASAP and donāt come back.
Meanwhile, his friends going to school nearby still operating as normal.
Haverford is going to distance learning until April 6th. They asked students to not be on campus/in dorms unless they have no choice. Sigh. I guess I do in fact have to figure out the best way to bring D home. Her anxiety is really bad right now, and this is all making it so much worse.
ETA: my daughter told me this info, as students were emailed. Parents have not been, which I am not actually ok with.