ASU moving to online classes because of coronavirus concerns

PHOENIX — Arizona State University is transitioning to online classes starting Monday because of coronavirus concerns, President Michael Crow announced Wednesday.

Classes will continue online for two weeks and the university will reassess its position then, Crow said in a release.

The university and its other services will remain open during the online-only instruction time, Crow added.

ASU is currently on spring break.

For @ASU updates on #COVID19 visit https://t.co/ZSv0uB5kl2. pic.twitter.com/gviQHHcJ0t

— Michael Crow (@michaelcrow) March 11, 2020

“We are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution,” Crow said. “Public health officials have not yet made this a requirement for public institutions and continue to indicate that the risk to the general public remains low.

“Nevertheless, given all that we know and what we can anticipate based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we believe this is the most prudent course of action at the current time.”

ASU said it would offer additional instructions to faculty and students on how to transition to online instruction.

The university had the state’s first case of coronavirus, which was announced Jan. 26.

The coronavirus patient connected to the ASU community was released from isolation on Feb. 23.

Follow @DannyShapiro13