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President's Message on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[Friday, March 13, 2020]

This is an important update on our continuing response to COVID-19, or novel coronavirus. We have been working closely with public health officials and monitoring the situation diligently in order to determine how best to safeguard the health of students, faculty and staff against the spread of COVID-19, and to ensure the quality and continuity of our students’ academic experience.

Therefore, the University has determined to take the following actions, effective immediately:

  • Students who have left campus for Spring Break should plan not to return to campus.
  • Students who need to return to campus, such as international students, students with transportation limitations, students with clinical or internship obligations in the area, or students with technology limitations, should contact the Office of Student Affairs. Every possible accommodation will be made to address students’ needs for residency, and for technical support for online classes. There will continue to be student services, including modified dining available on campus.
  • Beginning Saturday, March 21, all face-to-face and hybrid classes on the Raleigh campus and Adult Degree Program (CAPE) campuses will transition to online classes for the remainder of the Spring semester.
  • Classes currently delivered online will continue to be offered online.
  • Faculty and advisors will be communicating further details directly with students.   
  • Campus will remain open and operational unless otherwise notified. All faculty and staff will report to work as usual.
  • All University-sponsored travel for faculty, staff and students is suspended.
  • We will be postponing, cancelling or modifying large events for the immediate future. No decisions have yet been made regarding Commencement.  
  • All athletics, band and choir activities, including Spring competitions and practices, as well as Student Life activities, have been suspended through the end of the semester.

The situation is evolving daily. Please watch for continued updates and communications, either through emails, the website or social media.

We realize this transition will have a significant effect on plans for the upcoming months, and have not made these decisions lightly. We appreciate the understanding, patience and cooperation of all concerned.

We are confident that Shaw University will, as it always has done, weather this situation and continue to serve our students and the community.