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March 14, 2020 - 9:09 AM
All UBC and UBCO classes are moving online for the semester due to the coronavirus epidemic.
"For classes that cannot be accommodated online, we will be issuing further information through our faculties. This will apply to UBC Vancouver, UBC Okanagan and UBC Robson Square. Information regarding exams will be shared next week," according to a statement issued by UBC president Santa Ono.
Online classes will be in effect March 16 for the remainder of the semester.
"UBC’s campuses will remain open and all university operations will continue as normal, as we transition. Updates continue to be posted to ubc.ca," he said in the statement.
We are working as quickly as possible to inform our faculty, in order to assist them in preparing their materials for online. We understand this shift in delivery will have a significant impact on our community and you have many questions. I would ask for your patience as we seek to answer those questions."
Two online petitions were created to urge administration to cancel all UBC classes. More than 14,000 have signed a petition urging for the closure of UBC campuses, and a second petition to suspend in-person instruction has gathered more than 8,600 supporters.
In Kamloops, a petition was started urging Thompson Rivers University administrators to suspend operations until the outbreak is under control.
READ MORE: UBCO suspends classes, activities involving 250 people or more while TRU works on plan
A page on the TRU website dedicated to COVID-19 said the university registrar is working to determine which classes will be affected by the ban on gatherings of more than 250 people. It is not yet clear if the larger classes will be cancelled or if an online option is available.
No one at media relations at Thompson Rivers University was immediately available for comment.
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