March 12, 4:36 p.m.
Florida Southern College President Anne Kerr said in an email sent to students, faculty, and staff that students are advised to go home due to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Friday, March 13 will be the final day for on-campus classes until a decision is made on April 15. Classes will be remotely taught beginning March 23, and the college will share more information no later than April 12.
“The decision prioritizes the health and safety of our campus and is similar to decisions made by colleges and universities in Florida and around the country,” Kerr said.
March 12, 2:45 p.m.
The College is no longer allowed to hold live performance events for the foreseeable future, including those within the Festival of Fine Arts.
Performers in the FSC Spring Dance Show received an email with the above information from dance program coordinator Erin LaSala.
“Due to the recent events involving COVID-19 it has come down from the state government that the college is no longer allowed to hold live performance events for the foreseeable future,” the email read.
“I am working diligently to ensure we will still be able to present the spring dance performance in some capacity and will share more information about this as soon as possible,” LaSala said in the email.
March 11, 9:30 p.m.
The three FSC study abroad students at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England were told today that their program has been terminated. Their courses are cancelled until March 23 until they transfer to online classes.
“On Monday, Florida Southern College contacted us and requested that we return home,” junior Felicia Coursen said. “However, today we were informed that the program has been terminated. We will be leaving the manor by Wednesday the 18th to return to the U.S.”
March 11, 6:45 p.m.
All Florida Southern home athletic events beginning on Thursday, March 12 will be closed to the public, according to a tweet from Florida Southern Athletics, @FSC_Mocs.
March 11, 6:30 p.m.
Fans are no longer permitted to attend NCAA championship events, per a statement from Mark Emertt, President of the NCAA. Florida Southern is hosting the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball South Regionals starting on March 14.
Florida Southern College sent an email to students, faculty and staff regarding COVID-19 at 5:57 p.m. on March 11.
The email read, “Florida Southern is developing contingency plans for modified operations should the coronavirus impact the College. These plans include options for remote working for employees and remote instruction for students and faculty.”
The College has postponed Founders Day 2020 and all Homecoming Weekend events including: Founders Day Convocation and Lunch (March 20), 50th Reunion Events (March 20), Homecoming Events (March 21), Homecoming Golf Scramble (March 21), and Spring Spivey Society Reception (March 21).
Commencement, which is scheduled for May 2, is unchanged as of now.
This email comes in the shadow of the State University System of Florida issuing a statement having all state universities to start “remote instruction effective immediately.”
March 10, 7:00 p.m.
Florida Southern has already made decisions such as cancelling Spring Break and May Option Junior Journeys, a decision that was addressed at Student Government’s Town Hall event on Tuesday, March 10.
“We do not have a student case yet, so we are continuing classes,” Kerr said at Town Hall. “As you might imagine, we have a Florida Southern College emergency preparedness team. We’re making decisions as we get information.”
