UTA In The News — Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Online Course Delivery and Housing
Amid mounting coronavirus concerns, universities across the nation are making the shift to classes online,The Dallas Morning News and The Dallas Observer reported. The University of Texas System directed all campuses to move classes online for the rest of the semester and to limit housing to only those with no other options.
Commencement Ceremonies Postponed
UTA spring commencement ceremonies will be postponed, President Karbhari announced Tuesday, The Fort Worth Star Telegram and KXAS NBC 5 reported.The decisions to postpone commencement and move classes to online formats were based on recommendations developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Student Anxiety
Texas college students may fall into a state of anxious uncertainty as they grapple with a college experience being wrought with changes due to coronavirus, The Texas Tribune reported. UTA physics student Kathryn Wilbanks, expressed concern. “I understand why they're making the decision. But as a student who prefers that traditional lecture learning style, I am a little bit worried about how that's going to impact how I'm going to continue to perform for the rest of the semester,” she said. UTA spokesperson Joe Carpenter said the school is “working closely with our faculty to adapt plans for lab-based and hands-on courses and will be sharing those accordingly with our students.”
Chaotic Spring Break Trip
Sam Dennehy, a UTA student, said a Spring Break trip to Spain quickly turned chaotic as the COVID-19 pandemic began to unravel, KDFW FOX 4 reported. Dennehy returned home unharmed and is now in self-isolation.
Kalpana Chawla
Kalpana Chawla, UTA alumna and the first woman of Indian-origin to space-travel, would have turned 58 years old this week, Hindustan Times and Latestly.com reported. Chawla was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Almost 17 years after her death, Chawla is still a role model for millions of girls across the globe.