St. Joe’s will continue virtual teaching for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester, according to an announcement from University President Mark C. Reed sent to the university on March 18.
Virtual classes will begin on March 19 in light of recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local authorities to practice social distancing to reduce the spread of the virus. Residence halls will remain open, but students who can go home are encouraged to do so.
Graduation Salute, originally scheduled on March 24-25, is postponed. However, no final decisions about the commencement ceremony have been made.
“We are consulting with other universities in our area, as well as our extensive Jesuit university network, to develop appropriate plans,” Reed wrote in an email to the university community. “Rest assured, we will honor and celebrate our graduates, even if the timing and format is beyond our control at this moment.”
Reed wrote that St. Joe’s is working diligently to provide updates to the community.
“I know how critical it is right now to reduce uncertainty, which is why we are sharing this information as quickly as possible,” Reed wrote. “I ask for your patience and understanding at this time.”
In a March 19 email, Reed reflected on previous plans to honor St. Joseph’s Day that was impacted by the coronavirus. Reed wrote that this is not the first time world events have affected the operations at St. Joe’s.
World War I and World War II caused St. Joe’s administration to adapt academic programs in 1918 and 1942. Similar to today, and concurrent with World War I, the influenza pandemic hit Philadelphia, impacting St. Joe’s typical operations.
“A source of consolation for me during these last couple of weeks has been my steadfast belief in the power of a Jesuit education,” Reed wrote in the March 19 email. “The future will always present challenges and unexpected shifts — that’s a given. At St. Joe’s, we prepare students to thrive through change and to embrace uncertainty with confidence.”
