All classes will be held online for the rest of the semester, according to President John Pistole.
In an email sent to the student body on March 18, Pistole explained that the decision was made in hopes of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
“Online classes will proceed as planned for next week, and then continue for the next six weeks, followed by finals week—May 4-8—again all online,” said Pistole.
Pistole explained that in addition to in-person classes being suspended, the commencement activities for this year will be canceled.
“We’re exploring options on how we can celebrate your graduation, but frankly, I’m doubtful about the feasibility of convening all of us at a later date,” Pistole said.
Pistole offered a statement for those involved in AU Athletics and hands-on-learning majors.
“To those students involved in athletics and in music, theatre and dance performances, regrettably we’ll need to cancel all spring games and performances,” said Pistole. “For students in clinicals, practicums or individual voice or music lessons, arrangements will be made through your respective departments and professors.”
According to Pistole, the administration requests patience and prayers in this time of uncertainty.
“Maggie Platt will soon provide direction to residential students who need to return to campus to move out of your dorm or apartment,” said Pistole. “We’re working on the details of possible pro-rata credits for unused housing and meal plan costs.”
Pistole explained that administration will do their best to recreate AU’s relational community in a virtual environment “until such time as we can reconvene on campus.”
“As a Christ-centered school, we know that God is bigger than any human problems, and my prayer is that we can find ways to live out our core values of servant leadership, responsibility, integrity, generosity and excellence, to make a difference for good in a hurting world,” Pistole said.
Photo by Jonathan Williams