Centre College sends students off campus for the remaining school year

Published 4:35 pm Sunday, March 15, 2020

Due to recent developments concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, Centre College has changed its operating plans that were announced on Friday.

Beginning tomorrow, March 16, spring break will begin and extend until March 29.

Today (Sunday afternoon) students were asked to make plans to leave campus immediately, and to take all of their belongings if possible, Centre President John Roush wrote in a letter to all students, faculty and staff. All students should be off campus no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, he said.

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Students requesting special permission to remain on campus were asked to fill out and submit an online form.

All coursework will be suspended until remote, online learning starts on Monday, March 30, and will continue for the rest of the semester.

However, “We have no current plans to close the campus,” he wrote. Food service will remain available, along with other essential services.

Even though seniors will not complete their final semester on campus, Centre will be exploring options, based on circumstances in May, that would allow a safe and enjoyable graduation event, he said.

This is Roush’s final year as president of the college. He is set to retire after 22 years as president on June 30. “As I said before, this situation brings great sadness,” Roush wrote. “… Susie (Roush) and I are equally sad to see everyone go — you know how much we love you, but we hope you take a piece of us with you in your hearts, just as you will all remain in ours. We look forward to the opportunity to reconnect in better times.”

In addition, all of Centre’s athletic practices and competitions have been canceled for the remainder of the school year. Centre is also limiting public events, including Norton Center performances.