BANGOR — A new letter has been distributed by Husson University, with the university now saying classes will be conducted via remote instruction. 

Below is a March 13 letter from HU President Robert Clark. 

Yesterday, we provided you with an update about the steps Husson University is taking to address the coronavirus. We shared that Husson University leaders are closely monitoring all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), State of Maine and public health advisories. Out of an abundance of caution, Husson University has decided to extend spring break for our students.

Today, I want you to know that the decision has been made to move the majority of physical classes to an online or teleconference modality starting March 23. Online courses will be available through Canvas. Teleconferencing will be available through Zoom at zoom.us.

The exception to this will be previously posted online courses. All 15-week online classes will continue as planned and remain on the original schedule. Additionally, if you are enrolled in an upcoming online I-7-2 seven-week course, your instruction begins this Monday, March 16, in accordance with our academic calendar. Students in clinical or internship placements scheduled for this coming week can continue, if the host sites are allowing it.

We will make exceptions for the experiential aspects of graduate and professional programs that cannot be moved online. In these cases, we will incorporate best practices around social distancing and advanced personal hygiene as students’ access simulation and laboratory facilities in order to complete course requirements. We recognize that campus residency may be required for these programmatic adjustments for clinicals, practicums and other programmatic features.  Academic program leaders will share information about class scheduling next week.

The one-week extension of student spring break will not affect when the spring 2020 semester ends. Additional information will be forthcoming about the summer and fall, pre-registration and registration process. Academic advising will be available remotely to support you.

Anyone who has already been approved to stay in campus housing can gain access immediately. For students who have not received prior approval, and wish to retrieve belongings or move out, the residence halls will be open beginning at 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 15. Information about check out will be sent to you next week. We want to make sure you have the time you need to make appropriate arrangements. Rebates of appropriate room and board fees will be adjusted for institutional financial aid and refunded to student accounts.

If you have personal or academic circumstances, which require continued residence on campus, you will need to complete the Campus Stay Form, located on your MyHousing Portal. Please note that there is a review process associated with this request. If you are approved, there are additional campus housing policies during this period that you will continue to need to observe. You will receive notification about the status of your request by email. Please email reslife@husson.edu if you have any questions.

Protecting the health of students, faculty, staff, campus visitors and the surrounding community is our first priority. Online and Zoom teleconference capabilities are highly effective ways to continue to deliver quality educational experiences. The University is currently evaluating all campus activities and programming to address social distancing and additional cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting procedures. 

Thank you for your cooperation and support. Husson University is doing everything it can to help make sure your health, safety and academic experiences are protected as we all work together to successfully complete the spring semester. 

Sincerely,

Robert A. Clark, Ph.D., CFA
Husson University President