ECU to move undergraduate classes online starting Wednesday

GREENVILLE, N.C. — East Carolina University will move undergraduate classes online for the remainder of the fall semester beginning Wednesday, August 26, Interim Chancellor Ron Mitchelson announced Sunday.

Undergraduate classes are suspended on August 24 and August 25 while students and staff adjust to the change in the semester schedule.

Fall classes began at ECU on August 10, WCTI reports.

Professional and graduate classes will continue as they are currently operating. Students in experiential learning courses will continue as scheduled.

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“This decision to move online for the fall semester was not made lightly,” Mitchelson said. “We are appreciative of the ongoing support and approval of our plan to move forward by UNC System President Peter Hans and public health experts. We believe this decision is best for the well-being of our entire campus community.”

Mitchelson added that while he believes in-person learning to be the better option, the university is well-equipped for this decision.

“As I have said during the planning for the Return of Pirate Nation, I believe that we achieve our mission – student and regional success – at much higher levels when we can operate in person and with face-to-face engagement,” Mitchelson said. “However, ECU is a nationally recognized leader in distance education making us well-positioned to make this shift.”

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ECU residence halls will begin the move-out process this week and end it on Aug. 30. The university will work with international students, student-athletes, and hardship cases who apply to continue to live on campus.

The university will offer prorated refunds for students for campus housing and dining. Students will receive detailed information regarding this process in messages to their email accounts.

Also, the deadline for withdrawal from 8-week classes without fees has been extended to 5 p.m. on August 28. The last day to withdraw from 15-week classes without fees remains September 4.

Athletic calendars have not been changed beyond those already established and announced.