Coronavirus forces Eckerd College to close dorms, move classes online

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ST. PETERSBURG — Eckerd College is closing dorms, extending spring break and moving classes online in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

About 1,700 of the schools nearly 2,000 students who live on campus must be out of their dorms by noon Wednesday. Spring break, originally planned for next week, will now stretch until March 29. Online classes will begin March 30.

The news came Thursday in an online announcement: “These are difficult decisions, and we share your frustration and disappointment. We hope to resume all the elements of campus life including face-to-face instruction as soon as conditions permit.”

Eckerd faculty will use various platforms to deliver instruction online, while striving to “maintain the close faculty-student interaction that is a hallmark of an Eckerd education," the announcement said.

In the meantime, school officials will monitor developments related to coronavirus and release an update March 30, said Eckerd spokeswoman Robbyn Hopewell.

All college events, including sporting events, are canceled until further notice. However, academic and career advising, counseling and other student services will be available remotely.

More information can be found here.

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