EL CAJON (KGTV) -- In response to growing concerns of the rapidly spreading coronavirus, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District officials have announced that they will be canceling in-person classes for a week as a precautionary measure.
Grossmont and Cuyamaca college campuses will close the week of March 16-20 and temporarily shift to online instruction as a precautionary measure.
“We are taking these extraordinary measures out of an abundance of caution,” said Chancellor Lynn Neault. “We are doing everything we can to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees and the public, while ensuring that our student can complete their classes.”
The colleges join numerous local and national institutions that are also announcing face-to-face instruction to quell the spread of coronavirus, including Chula Vista's Southwestern College, San Diego State University, and USD.
Non-instructional employees will be on site during their regular work hours, according to officials.
"All student events for the next two weeks are canceled, and intercollegiate athletics games are cancelled through March 29. Staff and student travel on district business outside of the state and country has been cancelled, and in-state travel is being reviewed on a case-by-case basis," officials said.
“We recognize the challenges imposed by these measures, and we regret any difficulties to students or faculty, but the health and safety of our campus communities is our utmost responsibility,” said Linda Cartwright, president of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board.
Classes are scheduled to resume on March 30 following the March 23-27 spring break.
