UAFS transitions classes to virtual
The chancellor at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith announced that classes would transition online beginning at 5 p.m. Friday.
In the announcement, Chancellor Terisa Riley said that she plans for in-person classes to resume Jan. 24 and will confirm the return to work and learning in an update Thursday.
According to the official university COVID page, there are 147 students and employees who have COVID as of Friday.
"Last week I wrote to you full of excitement for the new semester. Our students were masking, our faculty were setting clear expectations, and our staff were working diligently to keep campus clean, events safe, and students engaged," Riley said in the announcement.
The number of people who have COVID is up from 13 the previous week.
"I want to assure you this temporary return to remote instruction is just that: Temporary. It is an opportunity for those in isolation and quarantine to heal, for our campus to regain its strength, and to reset for a safe and successful spring semester on campus," Riley said in the announcement.
Courses that require hands-on learning will be exempt from this mandate. Some of these courses include internships and clinical rotations.
Most campus services also moved online. Exceptions to this include housing, dining, security and maintenance services.
"By taking steps to stop this surge, we have every expectation that we will be able to return to campus next Monday to continue delivering the high-quality on-campus education and support our students expect and deserve," Riley said in the announcement.
"Of course, this strategy only works if all of us take active steps to reduce the spread by reducing contact with others who may have COVID and continuing other mitigation efforts such as properly wearing masks and frequent hand washing/use of hand sanitizer."
Alex Gladden is a University of Arkansas graduate. She previously reported for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and The Jonesboro Sun before joining the Times Record. She can be contacted at agladden@swtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: UAFS transitioned classes to virtual
