Belmont University announced that all classes are being moved online for the remainder of the semester and spring commencement will be moved to August 7, according to an email on Friday from university president Dr. Bob Fisher.
“Unfortunately, it has become clear that those efforts are not working quickly enough, and may not start taking significant effect for several more weeks,” according to the email. “The number of new cases reported in the past three days has caused my optimism to be erased by the statistical reality that I must acknowledge — things are not getting better, and it doesn’t appear that they will as soon as I had hoped.”
This announcement comes just after Belmont mandated students currently living on campus to leave due to the spread of the COVID-19 in an email on Wednesday.
The university originally planned to have in-person classes starting on April 6 after an extended Spring Break and two weeks of online classes.
Fisher said it was a hard decision and he shares the student’s sadness, especially to graduating seniors, according to the email.
“I also recognize that while this news prompts a sense of relief for some, it prompts sadness for others. I share both of these feelings,” Fisher said in the email. “But nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our students, and I believe this to be the most responsible course of action.”
Tennessee has reached 228 positive cases of the virus, according to the Tennessee Department of Health website.
The email from Fisher asked for students to be patient with deans, faculty and residence life as more decisions and announcements are to come regarding permanent move out and other academic activity.
Fisher also asked students to contact their professors as well as covid19response@belmont.edu for any further questions.