MassBay Won't Hold In-Person Classes This Fall

FRAMINGHAM, MA — MassBay Community College will hold all classes either online or remotely during the upcoming fall semester, the school said in a statement on Tuesday. The college is taking the precaution due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the school, any class that was set to take place in-person this fall will instead be held remotely, which means students and professors will meet online instead of in a classroom. Online classes are different, and don't have set meeting times during the week.

"MassBay is firmly committed to the health and safety of all our students, faculty, and staff, and given the uncertainty we face in the coming months, the most feasible course of action is to limit access to campus," MassBay President Dr. David Podell said in a news release. "This is not an easy decision as we enjoy being on campus with all our students, but we make this decision now to allow students and their families the time they need to prepare and adjust their schedules."

MassBay began offering distance learning in mid-March as the coronavirus pandemic was ramping up. In-person classes have been held remotely since March 22.

Coronavirus is fading in Massachusetts, but health experts believe the virus could return when the weather turns cold in the fall and winter. Colleges would be allowed to reopen this fall under Gov. Charlie Baker's phased reopening plan.

The main MassBay campus is in Wellesley, but the school has a satellite location in Framingham, and an automotive program at a facility in Ashland.

This article originally appeared on the Framingham Patch