By Khadn Adderley
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Just less than two weeks after the University of Arkansas transitioned to online classes, Chancellor Joe Steinmetz addressed students, faculty and staff.
With the uprise of COVID-19 cases around the world, the country and in the state of Arkansas, Chancellor Steinmetz made the decision on Thursday, March 12 to suspend all in person classes effective immediately.
Chancellor Steinmetz took the opportunity to encourage members of the University of Arkansas community during this adjustment.
“As we settle into a new normal of social distancing, I want to thank everyone in the University of Arkansas community for your amazing flexibility throughout a period of sudden and unprecedented change” said Chancellor Steinmetz.
In a live press release today by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchison, the number of COVID-19 cases within the state of Arkansas rose by 62, from 218 to 280.
On Monday, March 23, Chancellor Steinmetz updated students via email about the first confirmed case within the university community.
The student who contracted the virus had recently been in contact with someone who had visited from out-of-state, is symptomatic and is in self-isolation off campus.
Most students are in the process of moving out of university-managed housing by April 3rd and some faculty and staff are now working remotely from home. Those employees on campus include health care, public safety and food-to-go for the limited number of students still on campus.
Pat Walker Health Center will remain open for medical services under the following restrictions:
- No walk-in appointments or online appointment scheduling
- All appointments must be schedules by phone: 479-575-4451
- Only one entrance (West entrance-parking lot)
- External temperature checks required before all entry
For any updates, visit the University of Arkansas Coronavirus Health page and follow the University of Arkansas and UATV News on their various social media pages.