Ball State To Suspend In-Person Classes For Rest Of The Semester

Ball State University is the latest college in Indiana to suspend in-person classes in response to the coronavirus.

In a letter from university president Geoff Mearns sent Wednesday night, he says Ball State does not have a case of COVID-19.  But to prevent possible spread of coronavirus, the Muncie school will begin online-only classes on March 16 and continue through the rest of the semester.

Schools like Indiana University, Purdue University, and the University of Notre Dame that have also suspended classes made those announcements when students were away on spring break, saying they wanted to limit exposure from students who may have traveled to regions with illnesses.  Ball State’s spring break was scheduled earlier than others, and students have been back attending in-person classes since Monday.

Ball State says it is not asking students to leave campus.  Other university services will remain open and employees will go to work as normal.  University-sponsored travel is suspended, “including travel throughout the state of Indiana.”

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The campus is also suspending university-sponsored events of 100 people or more, saying it would consider rare exceptions.  As for May’s scheduled commencement, Mearns says, “At this point, we hope to host Commencement ceremonies, but we will make a final decision at a later date.”