BREAKING
JMU shifting to online classes, asking students to leave campus after 500 coronavirus cases

By WAYNE EPPS and ERIC KOLENICH 2 hrs ago

After reporting more than 500 active coronavirus cases less than a week after in-person classes started, James Madison University on Tuesday announced it would shift to primarily online courses and ask students to leave campus by Sept. 7.

"After consultation with the Virginia Department of Health, James Madison University will transition to primarily online learning, with some hybrid instruction for accreditation and licensure requirements, graduate research, and specialized upper-class courses requiring equipment and space, through the month of September," University president Jonathan R. Alger said in a message on the school's website Tuesday evening. "Over the next month, university officials will carefully monitor health trends and other developments, and will be in touch with the campus community by Sept. 25 regarding the possibility of returning to in-person instruction on or after October 5."

The school becomes the first in the state to retreat from in-person classes after trying them to start the semester, though some licensure, graduate and upper-level course work will continue to meet through the end of the month.

The number of total positive cases skyrocketed after students moved in Aug 21 and classes began Aug 26. The day before classes began, the university released a publicly available COVID-19 dashboard reporting 23 self-reported student cases and six faculty.

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SEP 1, 9:08 PM

Following 500-Plus COVID-19 Cases, JMU Goes Virtual And Asks Students To Return Home

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