Due to the continued spread of COVID-19, Cameron University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Western Oklahoma State College have changed course and will all move to distance learning after spring break.
According to Wednesday’s announcement, Cameron University’s individual instructors have the option of going completely online or incorporating other distance learning methods, such as podcasts, televised lectures or, as long as it completed in compliance with social distancing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, small group projects.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Cameron officials said plans are in place for the Lawton and Duncan campuses to reopen on Monday, including food service, housing and, to a limited extent, the library and computer labs. However, the University Theater, Aggie Rec Center, Aggie Gym, Terry Bell Golf Center and all exterior athletic venues are closed in compliance with the state of emergency declaration issued on Monday by the City of Lawton.
To the north, SWOSU will remain open, but have online classes only through April 3. The Student Union at the Weatherford campus will continue to offer meal service starting on Monday. Its annual rodeo, scheduled for April 9-10, is suspended for the time being. Both schools’ athletic conferences, the Lone Star Conference and the Great American Conference respectively, have suspended all competitions and practices for the rest of the 2019- 2020 school year.
Students at WOSC in Altus will get an extra week of spring break while staff prepare for virtual instruction. Campus will remain closed to students until classes resume on March 30 in an online-only format for a two-week trial period. All on- and off-campus programming is suspended through April 6. Staff, faculty and administrators are scheduled to return to campus on Monday as long as they are healthy.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma State University announced on Wednesday that it is moving all classes at its Stillwater and Tulsa campuses online for the rest of the semester. Although on-campus housing will remain available in Stillwater, university officials are urging a reduced occupancy load.
The University of Oklahoma’s flagship campus in Norman is closed through Friday due to a confirmed COVID-19 case.