Fort Lewis College will hold online-only classes from March 25 to April 6 in an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.
“Fort Lewis College is actively monitoring the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Colorado and taking proactive measures to ensure the health and well-being of each member of our community in accordance with the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” FLC wrote on the homepage of its website late Wednesday afternoon.
The notice said classes would convene as scheduled Thursday and Friday. Students then go on spring break, and classes for the two days after spring break, March 23-24, will be canceled. From March 25 through April 6, classes will be held online only.
No cases of coronavirus have been reported in La Plata County.
The website said: “Campus leadership has been meeting daily and closely monitoring the developments of the coronavirus outbreak. As we head into spring break, the college has been carefully considering how to protect the health of our campus community and planning how best to respond in coordination with local and state health officials.”
FLC will monitor guidance from public health officials and announce plans for instruction delivery methods on or before April 1, which will apply to the remainder the semester, according to the website.
The website also notes the risk to the general public is considered low. It offers tips to minimize the spread of the virus.
“With much of the country traveling in the next few weeks, FLC is asking individuals to be vigilant in monitoring their health. Public health officials recommend individuals reconsider traveling to affected areas. There is no travel health advisory for the U.S., but travel to regions with known outbreaks increases your risk for transmission and the potential for our community’s health to be compromised,” the website said.
According to the website, anyone returning to FLC from Warning Level 2 travel areas must call the Student Health Center before returning to campus. “This allows our health experts to provide critical health information if needed and to protect the health of campus.”
FLC has about 3,230 undergraduate students and 80 graduate students. Coloradans make up 46% of the student body. Students come from 47 states and 15 countries.
FLC’s website recommends that students or faculty members returning from travel to a country with an active health notice for coronavirus should contact the Student Health Center. Students in the dormitories should contact Student Housing.
parmijo@durangoherald.com