On Friday, Fisk University President Dr. Kevin D. Rome, Sr. informed students that the University would transition to a virtual campus as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning Monday, March 16th, classes will no longer be held in-person, and students will receive online instruction for the remainder of the spring semester. “The safety of our students, faculty, and staff remains our highest priority and we believe this is the best way to safeguard the campus community,” the university president said of the decision.
This response reflects the difficult decisions other local universities have made in response to the pandemic. Both Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt announced the transition to online classes earlier this week.
Students are required to vacate on-campus residence halls by March 21st, and the university has immediately suspended all group events and student activities. Many students are frustrated by the decision, as graduating seniors wonder what the response will mean for the university’s upcoming graduation ceremony.
