Earlier today, Vanderbilt University made the decision to cancel classes for the remainder of the week, through March 14. Furthermore, they made the decision to direct in-person classes to online classes from March 16 to March 30th.

Currently, there are four confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Tennessee. Belmont University students are on spring break this week, and more than half the student population has left the state, and some have left the country. While there has not been a confirmed case of the coronavirus amongst Belmont's students, faculty, or staff, the risk is increasing as more cases of COVID-19 are being confirmed in the Nashville area. Vanderbilt University is within walking distance of Belmont, and many of the places that Vanderbilt students go are shared by Belmont students. Vanderbilt made the decision to cancel classes due to many students having been exposed to an individual who had COVID-19. COVID-19 is known to be symptomless for up to two weeks after the initial exposure. Due to Belmont and Vanderbilt being in such close proximity, it is very likely that students at Vanderbilt interacted with Belmont students. 

Belmont University should follow in Vanderbilt's footsteps, moving all in-person classes to an online format. 

Failure to cancel in-person classes would result in an increased risk of exposure, as returning students could have contracted the virus during their travels. 

This decision should be made by the end of the week, so as to give students currently traveling adequate time to re-arrange their plans. Making this decision in a timely manner is of benefit to professors as well, so that classes can be restructured to an online format in order to continue learning. 

The purpose of this petition is in no way advocating for cancelling classes all together, but rather to change the format to online courses in order to avoid unnecessarily exposing students to COVID-19. 

We are respectfully asking the Dean of Students Office and Student Health Services to do their part to protect the student body from COVID-19 by cancelling all in-person classes beginning March 16 and extending until at least March 30.