UPDATE: Since the time this time this article was written, Robert Morris University has announced that it will no longer be preparing for an April 6 return. Students were encouraged to move out of their dorms if possible and were informed that they will not return for face to face classes in the Spring 2020 semester.

MOON TOWNSHIP – Two days after announcing that students would be taking online courses until April 27, Robert Morris University announced that they would be preparing to resume face to face classes on April 6.

“Our policy has always been that campus would remain open through the end of the semester, including residence halls, dining facilities, and other campus amenities (including the rec center, which reopened today.) The situation with the Coronavirus is changing day by day, and we want to be prepared in the event that we are able to resume in-person instruction sooner than originally anticipated. Regardless, we will make accommodations for students who have returned home so that they can complete all their academic requirements without penalty,” said Jonathan Potts, vice president of marketing and public relations.

In an email from the Office of the President, the university stated that they are continuing to monitor the situation and are adjusting their plans based on the status of the virus.

“We are constantly reassessing the situation, which is changing rapidly. Therefore, we will make preparations in the event that we are able to resume face-to-face instruction by April 6, which is when registration for the Fall 2020 semester is scheduled to begin. That is earlier than we had originally forecast, and it is difficult to predict how events may continue to unfold. Rest assured the health, safety, and comfort of our students, faculty, and staff remains our paramount concern, and we are committed to providing the highest quality academic experience in the meantime,” said university president Christopher Howard.

RELATED STORY: Robert Morris University cancels face to face classes and switches to online until April 27

On the same day the email was issued, President Donald Trump announced that the United States is now in a state of emergency as a result of Covid-19.

Along with this, Governor Tom Wolf made the decision to cancel all K-12 schools in the state of Pennsylvania for the next 10 business days.

The email also acknowledged that shuttles would continue to run between Yorktown Hall and the main campus.