University remains open for business; coursework resumes online as scheduled on Monday
This message to all students, faculty and staff has been approved by FSU President John Thrasher.
Florida State University will follow the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the State University System of Florida (SUS) by extending the previously announced period of online instruction for all academic courses through the remainder of the spring semester. This move to online instruction includes the FSU Panama City campus.
These steps are necessary, and, as disappointing as they may be, are in the best interest of our entire community. All of the university’s immediate efforts continue to be focused on supporting our faculty, staff and students.
At this time, there are still no reported cases of COVID-19 at Florida State University or in Leon County.
Tuesday, the State University System of Florida directed all state universities to extend remote instruction through the end of the spring semester. The SUS also encouraged all students who can return home to do so.
In addition, the State University System announced all traditional on-campus commencement ceremonies will not be held as scheduled and directed each university to develop an alternate schedule or method of delivery.
President Thrasher and the entire administration recognize that commencement is a joyous time for our students and their families. The university is working to develop an alternative commencement plan to celebrate all of our deserving graduates impacted this spring. Details will be announced at a later date.
Florida State University is on spring break this week. As the university previously announced, academic courses will resume after spring break via distance learning, beginning Monday, March 23. FSU is prepared to finish the spring semester via distance learning and other alternative methods as directed.
While university administrators strongly recommend students follow the SUS guidance to return home if possible, residence halls at Florida State remain open to those student residents who previously opted to stay on campus during spring break.
Those students will be allowed to remain in the residence halls through the end of the spring semester. However, they will not be allowed to return to their residence hall if they travel away from Tallahassee for any reason before the end of the semester.
Students who departed Tallahassee for spring break should not return to campus for any reason until further notice. Specific instructions for the retrieval of personal belongings from campus and residence hall move-out will be announced at a later date.
Students who choose to leave campus should take with them any and all belongings.
FSU administrators emphasized the spring semester is not over, and students are expected attend their classes online beginning Monday, March 23, for the remainder of the semester.
Faculty and staff are expected to report to work as normal in their regularly assigned work locations. Florida State is encouraging employees whose job duties are conducive to remote work, to do so with appropriate approval.
Florida State’s highest priority remains the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. University officials will continue to proactively monitor and follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Florida Department of Health and other medical authorities.
Administrators understand our students and families have a lot of questions, and they are working to quickly address the issues and questions that will naturally follow. For students currently in campus housing, the university will provide additional guidance as soon as possible.
FSU will continue to do all it can – operationally, academically and morally – to support our students, faculty and staff.
For updates, visit fsu.edu/coronavirus.