Summer classes online, dorms closing, refunds: Troy University coronavirus update

Troy University announced online-only plans for the rest of the spring semester and for summer in a statement sent to all Troy students, faculty and staff Tuesday morning. The Tropolitan is working today, March 31, to gather more information for students regarding the remainder of this semester and summer plans and will update with separate stories showing how students have been affected and how they are dealing with this unprecedented time in their lives and school careers. The following provides a quick reference for different topics. Dorms All residence halls except Pace and Shakelford Halls will close effective April 6, and all current residents who do not apply for extended housing will be required to move out belongings and leave campus by April 12, according to a university statement clarifying many details about on-campus operations. Only students with an "urgent need for housing" will be allowed to live in those dorms if they apply for extended housing; the deadline to apply is April 6. Extended housing will also be allowed for students with academic, research or clinical requirements; international students; students with no means for remote instruction; or in "cases of exceptional hardship," the announcement said. "Essential services" such as take-out dining from the dining hall will be available to those still on campus. Contact the housing office to apply for extended housing. Summer classes On-campus summer classes will also transition online using alternate delivery methods. Online summer classes will begin May 26. Refunds Parking, meal plan, commuter plan and housing fees will be distributed back to students from April 6 until the end of the semester. Graduating seniors will receive refunds, and all other students will receive credit on their fall 2020 semester bill, according to the statement. Graduation, commencement, and other university events Spring commencement for all Troy locations will be postponed until July 24 to hold a joint commencement with the summer semester. Additional details about caps and gowns will be released. All study-abroad trips for April and May and summer have been canceled, and plans for summer events will be evaluated and announced at a later date.   Tropnews.com will update readers as clarifying information comes along. Please check back throughout Tuesday, and the coming days, as we work to give you the latest information from the university.