Updated March 19 to reflect OU’s decision to go all-virtual for the rest of the semester.
Oklahoma State University announced Wednesday all classes at its Stillwater and Tulsa campuses will be delivered online for the remainder of the spring semester to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“Let me assure our students: We are working together with our faculty and staff to make sure you can complete and pursue your academic goals,” OSU President Burns Hargis said in the announcement.
Hargis said officials also are considering alternatives to the traditional spring graduation events.
Most classes will be taught through the university’s cloud-based learning management system, Canvas.
The University of Oklahoma also will extend online instruction through the end of the semester, Interim President Joe Harroz announced late Wednesday.
Students are encouraged to go to ou.edu/learnanywhere for information and resources on attending classes online.
Students enrolled in Health Sciences Center programs have received direct communications from their colleges about online instruction and modifications to clinical and community-based instruction, Harroz said.
Both universities are on spring break until Monday. Both have offered training during the break for faculty who need assistance migrating to online instruction.
“It’s a challenge for some of our faculty who aren’t as comfortable with technology,” said Mark Morvant, OU vice provost of instruction and student success. “Part of it is just keeping it simple.”
The top concern is to make sure students have access to the devices, internet and cellular services they need to complete the spring semester, he said.