University of Maryland to go online-only after Thanksgiving due to coronavirus surge

The University of Maryland on Thursday announced its plans to go online-only after Thanksgiving due to COVID-19 cases growing in the country and in the state. 

University President Darryll Pines said in a letter to the university community that “with very few exceptions,” most classes will be online following Thanksgiving after colder weather and more time indoors has led to more cases. 

Students who plan to go home or travel for the holiday are encouraged to stay away from campus for the rest of the semester. But others who choose to stay in residence halls can remain there until the end of the semester, Pines said.  

The university also plans to conduct campuswide COVID-19 tests the week ahead of the holiday. The regular on-campus testing will still occur post-Thanksgiving. 

“Like many of you, I wish for a return to normalcy for our university, including the full resumption of in-person classes and extracurricular activities,” Pines said. “Yet this virus continues to demand vigilance, patience and perseverance. I believe the actions outlined above are prudent, data-driven, and in the best interests of our university community.”

The University of Maryland reported 15 new cases between Oct. 25-Oct. 31, in the most recent data available. 

Due to rising #COVID19 cases nationwide and in our state, #UMD has decided to transition courses entirely to online instruction, with very few exceptions, following the Thanksgiving break: https://t.co/odNuDuSPLi pic.twitter.com/C9u2NSOjMQ

— Univ. of Maryland (@UofMaryland) November 5, 2020

Monmouth University in New Jersey also announced this week that a majority of classes will move completely online for the rest of the semester, including final exams. 

University President Patrick Leahy released a letter that’s similar to the University of Maryland’s saying students will have the option to stay home if they travel there for Thanksgiving, but residential halls will remain open to those who stay or return. 

Students who travel to states on New Jersey’s travel advisory list are “strongly” encouraged to stay home after the break to avoid the mandatory 14-day quarantine. 

Monmouth University reports 34 active cases and 371 recovered cases as of Thursday afternoon.

The U.S. is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases as the weather changes, reporting a record number of cases at 100,000 in one day on Wednesday.