Harding University announced today that the rest of the spring semester will be conducted through online instruction due to growing national and global health concerns surrounding COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\tWhile on Spring Break, students were informed last Thursday that on-campus classes and activities were postponed until further notice, transitioning instead to online education. One week later, students learned via an email sent at 1 p.m. today that this change would remain in place for the rest of the semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\tThe May 2020 commencement ceremony has been rescheduled for graduates to cross the stage in August. Students who complete all graduation requirements will still have their degrees conferred in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\tStudents will be notified via email March 23 how to proceed with moving their belongings out of on-campus living quarters. They were asked not to return before then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\tResidence halls are limited only to students who have no other option. Arrangements for this must have been made through the Office of Student Life. The email specified extenuating circumstances, as detailed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\t\u201cThis includes those whose homes are outside of the U.S.; those whose internships or practicums require them to remain; those whose home communities are quarantined; those for whom returning home represents a health\/safety threat. Food service is available,\u201d the email stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\tIn lieu of mandatory chapel, an online daily devotional will be available across Harding\u2019s social media channels every day at 10 a.m. CT beginning Monday. Watching the devotionals is not required of students, but it is encouraged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\tIntercession and summer classes will begin as planned, as of now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\tSpring Sing will resume in 2021. Next April\u2019s show will keep this year\u2019s planned theme, \u201cOnce Upon a Time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\t\u201cWe will resume normal life and will be back together as soon as is feasible,\u201d President Bruce McLarty wrote in the email. \u201cOur prayers are with all of the Harding community and with our entire world as we pray for protection, healing and strength through this difficult time.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\tAs of Thursday afternoon, there were 10,755 confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. and 154 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center; globally, there were 235,404 confirmed cases and 9,785 confirmed deaths as of Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arkansas Department of Health confirmed 46 cases in the state as of Thursday morning. White County did not have any confirmed cases at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students will receive updates through their Harding email.
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