AUBG to Move Classes Online Until End of Fall'20 Semester
The AUBG leadership team has decided today, Nov. 3, to continue the semester entirely online, announced Interim President David Evans. "This was not an easy decision but after careful assessment of the situation in Bulgaria, we concluded that it would be the most responsible one," he wrote in an email to the AUBG students.
The measure comes in the light of the worrying number of COVID-19 cases in Bulgaria, coupled with the poor condition of the healthcare system in the country. The trends do not indicate an improvement of the situation in the near future, meaning that the Bulgarian government will likely extend the order for online education beyond the initial two weeks that end Thursday, Nov. 12.
"Because of all that, we would like to avoid any unnecessary health risks for our community by holding on-ground classes," Evans said. "We would also like to give [students] living in the dorms the opportunity to decide now whether [they] would like to stay on campus or go back to [their] home place."
Students should have in mind that border issues might begin arising again. If they choose to depart, they will have to complete the checkout process and vacate their room. Students who wish to do so should contact Residence Life at reslife@aubg.edu for assistance. Students are welcome to stay on campus but should have in mind that campus activities will be very limited.
The university leadership team has crafted two versions of next semester, one that returns to hybrid instruction and one that is fully online. At the moment AUBG continues to plan for the hybrid version, but is also prepared to stay online if necessary. The university will continue to monitor the situation closely in the next ten weeks until the beginning of next semester.
"I would like to stress the fact that there is no evidence of community transmission at AUBG," Evans said. "Together, we have succeeded in preserving our community safe while the numbers in Bulgaria have been rising. I sincerely thank you for following the health and safety measures on campus and for being thoughtful and responsible."