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Old Dominion University moving classes online because of COVID-19

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the university said it was moving all classes online and asking students either to go home or stay at home.

NORFOLK, Va. — Old Dominion University decided Wednesday to extend spring break by one week and suspend all in-person classes "for the immediate future." 

The university postponed a Thursday press conference to answer questions students have.The date of the conference will be announced later, after the university is able to coordinate with faculty members who left campus for spring break.

Classes are set to start up again on March 23, online.

University President John Broderick announced the initial decision in a letter on Wednesday.

"I want to reassure you that there are no suspected cases of COVID-19 on the campus or in the University community at this time," Broderick wrote.

Students are being asked to stay home if they went home for spring break, and the university says it will release details about how to come back to get their belongings later.

Old Dominion student Tanea Winston expressed both concern and excitement about the decision. 

"It’s hard. And everybody is not clean, I think ODU took the right precautions to make sure all their students are safe," said Winston. "Some people are upset about it because they do pay money to be here. Are we getting that money back? A lot of people are also thinking not everyone has internet at home, so how are they gonna do their work?"

In a press release, a spokesperson for ODU said the university's leadership is in the process of figuring out how to help 24,000 students transition to online learning.

While some are looking forward to the opportunity to pick up more hours at their jobs, others are saying that staying home for online classes will make learning more difficult - and will waste the money they spent on campus housing.

The university is canceling all non-athletic events, and for athletic events, only "family members and essential staff" will be allowed to attend.

The decision comes on the heels of the NBA suspending its season, and the NCAA restricting March Madness attendance to staff and family members.

Broderick said the university will be continuing to evaluate the risk of coronavirus on campus and will update the campus on any changes to their current class policy on April 6.

RELATED: Coronavirus in Virginia | Here are the cases of COVID-19 in the state.

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