University of Wisconsin-Madison suspends face-to-face instruction effective Monday, March 23

MADISON -- University of Wisconsin-Madison officials announced Wednesday, March 11 that they will suspend face-to-face instruction following spring break, and that students shouldn't return to campus due to fears of spreading COVID-19.

UW-Madison joins a host of universities around the country that have already taken similar measures, including The Ohio State University. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee announced Tuesday that it was extending its spring break a second week, to run through March 29, and planned to move most classes online once students returned.

"It has become clear now is the time for the university to take broader action," said Rebecca Blank, UW-Madison chancellor. "We know that this decision is going to create challenges."

The action takes effect Monday, March 23 when students would typically return to campus from spring break.

"It's disappointing, and I think it'll be hard to do some stuff online," Katy Dasek, a UW-Madison student, said.

Coursework will continue online until at least Friday, April 10 when officials will re-evaluate the current state of the coronavirus pandemic. University officials said they are particularly concerned about students in residence halls who share bathrooms and common spaces, and are encouraging those students to stay at their permanent residences after spring break -- and work remotely.

"We recognize that there are going to be a number of students who shouldn't go home or who can't go home," Blank said.

Residence halls will remain open for students who have no other option.

"The best thing we can all do right now is to minimize our exposure to large groups," said Jake Baggott, executive director of University Health Services.

All university-sponsored travel and campus events of more than 50 people will be canceled until at least April 10, too.

"It's hard for us students and us TAs as well, but I guess it takes an effort that everybody has to make and we have to accept it," UW-Madison graduate student Roberto Garcia Delgado said.

UW-Madison's spring break begins March 14 and runs through March 22. The campus will remain open and all faculty and staff will continue their regular work schedules unless told otherwise by their supervisors. It's unclear whether research labs will remain open; many of them rely on student workers.

The university serves around 43,000 students.



Health information and symptoms of COVID-19

For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially in older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have reportedly been diagnosed and more than 58,000 people are reported to have recovered.

Still, the World Health Organization delcared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on Wednesday. Wisconsin had only six confirmed cases, two of which are in Dane County.

Undergraduate residence halls info from university 

Travel info from university

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