March 24, 2020
Written by Public Relations & Communications Strategist Jill Wilson
Augustana University announced today it will continue to deliver curriculum online for the remainder of the spring semester and is prioritizing the health and safety of its students and the broader community as the spread of COVID-19 continues to impact Sioux Falls, the state and the nation.
Augustana President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin said in a message to campus, “I know this decision is disappointing to hear, even if you started to anticipate that such a decision was likely, but we assure you that we are exercising our best judgment based on what we know today.”
The president added that the university is committed to fulfilling its educational mission, albeit through non-traditional means, in service to students and the university community each remaining day of the semester. Read the President’s Message.
Augustana faculty, in collaboration with dedicated colleagues across campus — most of whom will be working remotely — will continue to provide other services to students through virtual meetings using online platforms. The university intends to host a creative, virtual commencement ceremony in May to celebrate its graduates, followed this fall by special activities and recognition during Viking Days.
Augustana will continue to provide more details to students throughout the remainder of the week.
Herseth Sandlin added, “Faculty and administrators are sharing and analyzing extraordinary amounts of information to drive decisions, answer questions, and exchange innovative ideas for ensuring continued student learning and for facilitating effective student engagement over the next two months.”
For more information, visit augie.edu/coronavirus.