Iowa Wesleyan extending break and suspending classes until April 3

MT. PLEASANT - Iowa Wesleyan University announced they will be extending their spring break by a week and suspending face-to-face classes until at least April 3 to address growing concerns surrounding COVID-19.

In an email addressed to the IW Community, President Christine Plunkett said the university believes 'it is in the best interests of our community to begin implementing social distancing practices immediately” following conversations with public health officials.

The university has decided to extend their break through March 22 to give the campus 'necessary time to continue making preparations” for its response to the coronavirus. The campus has also decided to cancel any large gatherings scheduled for March 16 through April 5 and is currently restricting guests at their residence halls 'until further notice.”

Plunkett's email states students who have left campus for the break 'should make their own decision about returning” to the university. Students who have no other alternatives other than to return to the campus after the scheduled break (due to financial hardships, transportation issues, technological limitations and other similar circumstances) must notify the Office of Student Development by March 20. The email also noted student services will continue to be available on campus.

For faculty and staff, the email states 'campus operations will continue as usual until further notice,” however, the university is making preparations for telecommuting in the case that it becomes necessary.

The email asks that students, faculty and staff who return to campus after the break and have traveled to foreign countries categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 by the CDC to self-quarantine for 14 days.

'Be assured that we intend to return to normal campus operations as soon as possible,” Plunkett wrote in her email.

The University plans to notify students by April 1 on whether the campus will continue to provide classes online beyond April 3.