Livingstone transitioning students to online classes in wake of coronavirus outbreak

Published 5:40 pm Saturday, March 14, 2020

By Carl Blankenship
carl.blankenship@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Livingstone College has opted to move to “distance learning,” according to an announcement on Friday evening.

Livingstone’s announcement said it would suspend classes next week so students could prepare to return home, though international students and others with transportation limitations would be allowed to stay if approved by the college’s Office of Student Affairs.

The announcement “encouraged” students living on-campus to vacate by March 18, and noted remote teaching will begin March 23.

“Livingstone College’s top priority is the well-being and health of our students, faculty and staff,” said Livingstone President Jimmy Jenkins in a statement.

The college already canceled student activities, athletic events and suspended weekly assemblies. Livingstone students returned from spring break on March 9.

Earlier in the week, the University of North Carolina System announced classes would be moving online at all of its campuses as well in an attempt to mitigate the outbreak in the state.

The virus poses a low risk to young people, but can cause serious respiratory illness in people with compromised immune systems or existing respiratory problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol.

About Carl Blankenship

Carl Blankenship has covered education for the Post since December 2019. Before coming to Salisbury he was a staff writer for The Avery Journal-Times in Newland and graduated from Appalachian State University in 2017, where he was editor of The Appalachian.

email author More by Carl