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Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) announced Thursday afternoon, March 12, in a message to the H-SC community that spring break, originally scheduled to end this weekend, would be extended to run through Sunday, March 22.

Until this announcement, H-SC students, which number close to one thousand, were expected to resume classes Monday, March 16.

The message noted that the decision to change the schedule came out of an abundance of caution and after considering many scenarios as well as guidance from the Virginia Department of Health and other public health experts.

Officials stated in the message that while there are currently no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) at H-SC, there is now a presumptive positive case at Longwood University.  

This additional week of spring break for H-SC will give the college the opportunity to more fully understand and monitor the evolution of the coronavirus outbreak and to continue putting in place the most effective measures to safeguard the well-being of students, faculty and staff, the message stated. 

Officials added that this extension will also enable the college to be as well-positioned as possible to resume classes — whether in-person or online — Monday, March 23. 

The message concluded with officials stating the college would share more detailed information for students, faculty and staff later Thursday, March 12, (which you can find here) and would also provide further guidance by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 19, concerning plans to resume classes the following week.