Vanderbilt cancels in-person classes amid COVID-19 concerns for the semester

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Vanderbilt University is has canceled classes for the remainder of the week and will move to online-only instruction for the remainder of the semester amid COVID-19 concerns.

On Wednesday, the Vanderbilt University Medical Center said a healthcare provider has tested positive for the virus, which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

Vanderbilt is asking all undergraduate residential students to move out by Sunday, March 15.

"We are actively working on plans to assist undergraduate residential students with move out and are evaluating an approach to address on-campus housing and dining fees for the remaining month of classes," Vanderbilt said in a statement. "We will send details about those plans to the students and families. Students who need to remain on campus beyond this date will receive further information."

The news not coming as a shock to some students, but they tell us they're left wondering what's next.

"My family is not here, no can help, thankfully I have my friends so we’re all just like we don’t know what to," said sophmore Lauren Thomas. Thomas says her family is in Southern California. Many students we talk to are originally from out of state.

"This is going to be quite the move but we’re just trying to figure it out right now on the way to Office Depot to get some boxes and figure it out," said sophmore Jeff Daley, "My whole philosophy is better safe than sorry, so I agree with what they’re doing it’s just very odd times that we live in.

While some parents like Orlinda Rodriguez made the trip from Ohio to pick up her daughter.

"This is the best because this is a global community, these students come from all different types of the world and different parts of the United States so how are you going to control that, something you don’t know," Rodriguez said.

Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente sent the following message to the Vanderbilt community after the decision was made.

Dear Vanderbilt community,

Today, we received notice from Vanderbilt University Medical Center that a VUMC health care worker has tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution and based on public health recommendations and best practices, we will move fully to online and alternative learning for the remainder of the semester.

Given that, all undergraduate residential students should make plans to move out by March 15. We are actively working on plans to assist undergraduate residential students with move out and are evaluating an approach to address on-campus housing and dining fees for the remaining month of classes. We will send details about those plans to the students and families. Students who need to remain on campus beyond this date will receive further information.

Classes remain cancelled for the remainder of this week. Online and alternative learning will launch Monday, March 16, for undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Faculty and graduate assistants should coordinate directly with their deans and department chairs, and staff with their managers, with questions.

Be assured that our campus remains safe and open. We are continuing our cleaning, sanitizing, social distancing and other best practices to keep our campus safe.

I know this news will raise many questions specific to your situation. We are now preparing detailed information, guidance and resources for all students, faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars. We will share that information as soon as it is available.

This is not how any of us wanted this semester to proceed, but we are acting now to ensure the health and safety of all members of our community. While our campus is the heart of this university, our people are its soul. This challenging situation is necessitating a temporary change to how we deliver education, but it will not deter us from the pursuit of our mission.

I remind you that all of the rest of our policies and guidelines remain in place. Please closely monitor the university’s COVID-19 website—all updates, policies and a detailed FAQ will continue to be posted to that site. Contact covid-questions@vanderbilt.edu with questions.

With much appreciation,

Susan R. Wente

Interim Chancellor and Provost