Updates: Alabama Baptist colleges announce COVID-19 precautions

COVID-19 UPDATE

Updates: Alabama Baptist colleges announce COVID-19 precautions

Alabama and Montgomery County health officials announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state on March 13, but Alabama Baptist colleges were preparing earlier in the week to proactively protect the health of students, faculty and staff members on their campuses.

Samford University

Samford University officials announced March 11 that beginning March 16, all courses will move to online instruction through Monday, April 6. This will allow students to complete the academic work already underway for this term.

Samford intends to maintain essential operations through the end of this semester, according to a message posted on the Samford website. All employees will continue to work on campus unless otherwise notified, according to Samford officials.

As of March 20:

  • Faculty and staff shifted to remote work on March 17.
  • All university events are canceled through April 5. Additional events are subject to cancellation.
  • All university-related travel is suspended until further notice.
  • Effective March 9, Samford’s spring study abroad program at its London study center, the Daniel House, was suspended.

University of Mobile

The University of Mobile announced March 16 that spring semester courses will move to an online format beginning Monday, March 23. The mode of course delivery will be re-evaluated on or before April 2. The university plans to resume on-ground classes on campus April 6, depending on the situation at the time. All campus activities will be suspended during the time that instruction is offered online.

The University of Mobile announced March 12 that it will extend spring break through Friday, March 20. The University of Mobile is closed to visitors until April 6. University employees and approved residential students must show their university ID before entering campus, in compliance with a statewide order by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and the state health officer.

Information will be updated at umobile.edu/coronavirus.

Judson College

Judson College President Mark Tew announced on March 12 that Judson will continue with its normal schedule, beginning with spring break during the week of March 16-20. Tew said students have been encouraged to refrain from travel to affected areas and avoid large gatherings, as well as to take recommended precautions for preventing illness.

Tew said the college will implement additional procedures on campus, especially in the dining hall, to prevent the spread of disease.

Tew’s presidential inauguration has been rescheduled for August 23, 2020.

“The promotion of unnecessary travel and the introduction of a large number of other guests to the College and Perry County communities are not deemed appropriate at this time,” he wrote in an email message.

Additionally, many other colleges in Alabama shifted to online-only instruction beginning March 16 as a precautionary measure.

No cases of COVID-19 have been identified on any college campuses in Alabama as of March 13, 2020. Click here to read more about the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Alabama.

Click here to read more about what your church or business can do to clean and disinfect surfaces in your facilities. (Carrie Brown McWhorter)