An independent student newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890
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03.12.2020 Vol. 220 No. 116
THURSDAY
‘DISAPPOINTING AND DISRUPTIVE’
Courses transition online amid COVID-19 pandemic
ONLINE
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University officials discussed the details of online instruction for all Iowa State classes following spring break. The media availability Wednesday came after the university’s decision to move all classes online from March 23 through April 3 after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. “We know that many of our students will be disappointed by this decision but it is important to note that this change is disruptive not only to students and their families, but also to our faculty and staff here on campus,” said Jonathan Wickert, senior vice president and provost. “However, we are very confident that we are making the very best decision and the right decision for Iowa
State by putting the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff as our overriding priority.” Students may wonder what their coursework will look like in the upcoming weeks. They should expect more detailed information before March 23 about their classes, according to President Wendy Wintersteen’s statement announcing classes are to move online. W intersteen said in the email that they know how “disappointing and disruptive” the decision to transition courses to online was, but it was made in consultation with the Board of Regents out of caution. “Our Center for Excellence and Learning and Teaching, as well as online learning
DESIG
BY SAGE.SMITH @iowastatedaily.com
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NCAA and Big 12 make decisions on fans at games BY MATT.BELINSON AND ZANE.DOUGLAS @iowastatedaily.com Iowa State played in front of fans Wednesday in its first game of the Big 12 Tournament as the Big 12 allowed fans to attend the tournament games Wednesday, despite the emerging COVID-19 concerns around the country. After Wednesday, fans will not be allowed to attend the tournament. Iowa State played at 6 p.m. Wednesday
against Oklahoma State in the first game of the tournament with both teams looking to advance to another day. The game was played in front of the usual number of fans. Nationally, NCAA President Mark Emmert announced Wednesday afternoon in a press release that all NCAA postseason tournaments will be held without fans in attendance. Only “essential staff and limited family attendance” will be allowed attendance at the events outside of the competing teams. At the time of this report, there is no indication
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if media is considered a part of the “essential staff.” The announcement comes as COVID-19 has spread to at least 1,000 confirmed cases in the U.S. and at least 118,000 cases worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The spread of COVID-19 forced multiple Division I conferences to shut down conference tournaments altogether or hold tournaments without fans in attendance. Some conferences announced that conference
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tournaments would be held and are still allowing fans in attendance for their conference tournaments. The announcement of banning all fans in attendance will impact the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and the NCAA Wrestling Tournament, which was originally scheduled to take place in Minneapolis at U.S. Bank Stadium March 19-21. More updates will be made as more information is given.