By John Lynch
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Towson University was the first higher education institution to cancel classes in response to coronavirus concerns in the state, then others followed as Gov. Larry Hogan announced the ninth positive confirmed case of COVID-19.
Towson officials wrote in an email to its students Tuesday that classes would be cancelled for the week and asked students and teachers to prepare for remote teaching after spring break. The University System of Maryland chancellor advised universities to prepare for students to remain off campus.
“Beginning Wednesday, March 11, TU is cancelling all university classes for the remainder of the week on all campuses (including TUNE [Towson University in Northeastern Maryland], Shady Grove, College of Southern Maryland, and Hagerstown) to prepare for potential remote teaching, learning and working after spring break,” the email said.
Although there are no confirmed cases on Towson’s campuses, earlier this week officials asked nine students and a staff member to self-quarantine after attending a conference in Washington, D.C.
In a press release, USM Chancellor Jay Perman said, “Preparation for campus departures and online instruction will vary among universities, and each USM president therefore has discretion to ensure that faculty and staff have adequate time to set these plans in motion. While this means that some classes may be canceled this week, all campuses will remain open before, during, and after spring break.”
The Maryland system includes Bowie, Coppin and Frostburg state universities; Salisbury and Towson universities; the universities of Baltimore, Maryland at College Park, Eastern Shore and Baltimore County; the Center for Environmental Science, College Park, and Global Campus.
Salisbury University sent an email Tuesday that said they will have remote instruction until April 3. An email circulating throughout the University of Baltimore stated that the school was moving online for a two-week period. And, the University of Maryland told College Park students that classes could soon be held online.
“As far as I know, even if they move classes online after spring break, the campus still won’t be closed because the school understands that some people don’t have anywhere else to go,” said Paige Leckie, a UMD senior.
Leckie said she is ambivalent about the cancelled classes because she doesn’t want to be deterred from the education she paid for.
“I just don’t want it to impact whether or not I get my degree and graduate,” Leckie said.
Loyola University of Maryland also sent out an email to its students and faculty Tuesday announcing that face-to-face instruction has been canceled through March 31 and online instruction will continue.
One Loyola student was disappointed.
“We were just on spring break,” said Matt Spear. “I was hoping that our school wouldn’t close because I think it is a bit of a fear-induced reaction. I’m going to find it harder to keep up the motivation to do my work while classes are online.”
Students at Towson also wondered aloud about the effects of the cancellations on the quality of their education.
“I’m concerned that without that face-to-face interaction with my professor and the people in my classes, that I’m not going to get the education that I paid for,” said Mfundo Kaendera.. “Although, I do understand we need to go online for safety reasons, but that’s not what I signed up for.”
Johns Hopkins University updated its website Tuesday evening, cancelling in-person classes for all students and moving to remote instruction following spring break.
“I’d certainly prefer an online class to a cancelled class,” said JHU student Brian Covington. “Still, knowing Hopkins, classes probably aren’t going to be completely cancelled. A few years ago, the campus got a bomb threat, and we still had class.”
On Wednesday, at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Surgery Department, Outpatient Center, the visitor policy was revised to allow for only one, instead of the traditional two, visitors per patient. Officials said the change is an attempt to control the flow of people who come for outpatient, same-day surgeries and clinical appointments. Department leaders warned that if area schools close and employees are forced to stay home with their children, and if the spread of the virus worsens, the clinic will begin cancelling elective surgeries with the possibility of a shutdown entirely.
Gov. Hogan has announced plans to discuss in detail on Thursday Maryland’s response to COVID-19. The number of confirmed cases rose to nine in Maryland on Tuesday, with state officials noting it is a Montgomery County woman in her 60s who contracted the virus while traveling overseas. She is not hospitalized and is in good condition.
Hogan said that the latest case was connected to the same Egyptian cruise ship as five of the state’s previous positive cases. Maryland now has five confirmed positive cases in Montgomery County, three positive cases in Prince George’s County and one positive case in Harford County.
“This problem continues to evolve and to escalate rapidly,” said Hogan. “I am fully committed to being transparent, providing the facts, keeping Marylanders informed, taking actions based on detailed planning, and making decisions based on the facts on the ground.”