USU coronavirus timeline
Editor’s note: The Utah Statesman will update this timeline as more information is reported.
Sunday, April 5. 7:04 p.m.
By Alison Berg
Three members of the Utah State University community have reported positive COVID-19 test results.
According to a news release from the university, one case is an employee who has not been on campus for at least 14 days, the other two are students. One student lives out-of-state and has not been on-campus in weeks, said university spokeswoman Emilie Wheeler. The other student lives off-campus and is recovering at home, Wheeler said,
These cases are the first three confirmed in the university community, and USU relies on students and employees to self-report a positive test result.
“I know this information may cause our students and employees concern, and I want to reassure you that we are working hard to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said USU President Noelle Cockett said in the statement. “We’ll get through this by treating each other with compassion and doing our part to prevent the spread.”
USU relies on students and employees to self-report positive results and the university will not release information, to encourage members of the community to report, Wheeler said.
“USU relies on individuals in our community to self-report if they have a positive test so we can take steps to support that individual, put into place cleaning protocols where necessary, and include this information that the university uses in our decisions about how to protect the community,” she said. “Protecting people’s privacy provides an incentive for them to self-report.”
Wheeler said university administrators are unsure whether the third student developed symptoms in Logan or elsewhere, but they know the student is recovering out-of-state.
Tuesday, March 24, 9:46 p.m.
USU commencement ceremony rescheduled to August
By Taylor Cripe
Utah State University announced Monday commencement would be held on Aug. 28-29, providing circumstances allow.
USU previously said commencement would not take place at the end of April as originally planned.
“I am over the moon,” senior Tarren Jessop said. “But I do feel it’s important to stress we will only get this chance if we all do our part in slowing the spread of the virus.”
Jessop orchestrated a survey sent around social media to seniors seeking their input on whether they’d like a postponed graduation and how far in advance they would be willing to return to Logan.
While some were excited about the date change, others did not receive it as well.
“I most likely will not be here, and I probably won’t make the trip to attend later,” senior Kimmie Stewart said.
For others the disappointment is still there.
“The date change means not getting to celebrate with my family like I already planned,” Kaylyn Patenaude said. “I don’t have closure in this season of my life. I am not even sure I can come back for graduation.”
Statewide campuses will also be planning graduation events for the first two weeks in September. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Wednesday, March 18, 3:05 p.m.
First two COVID-19 confirmed cases in Cache County
By Alison Berg
The Bear River Health Department has announced two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cache County.
Both patients are above 60 years old and did not need hospitalization, said Bear River Health Department spokeswoman Holly Budge. Budge also said the cases were travel related.
“Please continue to practice social distancing, that’s the way we’re going to slow the spread,” she added.
This announcement comes a day after the department reported a confirmed case in Box Elder County.
According to the Utah Department of Health, 53 Utahns have tested positive for COVID-19 in nine of the state’s 13 health districts.
Saturday, March 14, 1:24 p.m.
Classes moved online, 1:24 p.m.
By Camille Nelson
Starting Wednesday, all academic courses held at Utah State University will be moved online, and classes will be canceled until then.
This change is in response to the coronavirus pandemic. In a letter to all students, faculty and staff, USU President Noelle Cockett said, “USU’s primary objective is to protect the health and safety of our campus communities throughout the state.”
Throughout campus, students have many emotions about the cancelation of classes and the shutdown of campus.
Friday, March 13, 12:03 p.m.
By Alison Berg
It’s 12:03 p.m. on Friday.
As the sun beats down and a slight breeze stirs the 54-degree March day, four students stand on the Utah State University quad passing around a football.
The quad sits between six campus buildings and, on days like Friday where the weather climbs above 45 degrees, is packed with students studying, playing games, socializing and enjoying the sun — especially around noon.
But after a series of emails telling students all campus events until April 8 would be canceled, and classes would be moved online due to a potential COVID-19 outbreak, a normally crowded campus of at least 20,000 students shrank to sparse groups of students spread out through the 450-acre campus.
Emily Harris, Renae Curtis and Sarah Flint sat at a table in the TSC Hub — USU’s food court. On another Friday at this time, one would be hard-pressed to find a spot.
But on this day, the three friends sat at a table with no one in a 20-foot vicinity of them.
“It doesn’t feel real,” said Harris, a sophomore studying elementary education. “The virus thing feels like a fever dream. It doesn’t feel real.”
The three students were among the few on campus Friday after the series of coronavirus announcements. While campus was noticeably emptier, many students continued their daily routines — minus attending classes.
Homework at the library, hot chocolate at the Quadside Cafe and dining at the Aggie Marketplace were all part of Danielle Weinerman’s everyday life.
Fears of catching or spreading a virus and warnings to avoid large crowds didn’t stop her from an afternoon visit to the Marketplace.
“It definitely feels emptier than normal,” Weinerman said. The Marketplace was about half full, which an employee said is “pretty standard” for a Friday at 3 p.m.
Weinerman is a freshman living in the Living Learning Community on campus. Her diet revolves around her campus meal plan, and she “hasn’t figured out” what she’ll do if USU Dining Services closes their operations.
“I can go grocery shopping and home (Pleasant Grove) isn’t too far, but I haven’t really thought about it,” she said.
USU Dining Services director Alan Anderson did not immediately return a request for comment, but dining services locations — which include all campus cafes, dining halls and concession stands — were open during normal business hours Monday.
Additionally, USU emailed all students Monday asking on-campus residents to “return to their permanent homes,” and alerting students the Aggie Recreation Center and Fieldhouse will be closed beginning Tuesday.
Wednesday, March 11, 2:49 p.m.
USU cancels in-person events due to potential coronavirus outbreak.
By Alison Berg
Utah State University announced Tuesday afternoon all university events occurring after Thursday will be canceled until April 8. University faculty are also encouraged to “transition to online course delivery if necessary and should create contingency plans to teach their classes remotely,” according to an email sent to USU faculty and staff members from President Noelle E. Cockett.
Additionally, all university travel between Thursday through April 8 must be cancelled. The email made no mention of study abroad programs.
Cockett also encouraged university personnel to follow “best practices to prevent the spread of disease and to stay home if you are sick, even if your symptoms are mild.”
The Utah Statesman will update this story as more information is released.