Waubonsee Community College extends spring break due to COVID-19 emergency

SUGAR GROVE – Spring break for Waubonsee Community College has been extended by a week due to concerns of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to an update from the college's website.

According to the college's web page dedicated to COVID-19 related updates, the college is extending the break, which was originally scheduled from March 16 through 22, by one week with no classes meeting through March 29. The extended break will allow staff more time to develop alternative instructional delivery methods, college staff said on the web page.

Credit courses will resume on March 30 and instructors will provide instruction online to substitute for as many face-to-face offerings as possible, according to the web page.

College officials said on the web page students will learn more from their faculty about next steps regarding their credit courses no later than March 27.

College officials said the college remains open as of Friday, March 13, according to the web page. Officials also said the college does not anticipate the spring semester being extended.

College staff said the library, selected computer laboratories, other laboratories, and student service offices will be open for student use during normal operating hours. However, students are encouraged to use online resources and remote communication with college staff instead of coming to campus in person.

"There continues to be no known coronavirus cases related to Waubonsee and at this time," the page reads.

The update comes after college officials previously said that, effective Friday, all events with expected attendance of 50 or more are canceled through March 31. All non-essential, college-related travel by students and employees also will be prohibited for the rest of the month.

Accelerated courses now are set to begin on March 30 instead of March 23, according to the web page. All noncredit courses will be canceled effective immediately through March 31 and adult education classes will be canceled immediately through April 12.

College staff said on the web page the anticipated return to face-to-face instruction is currently scheduled for April 13.