Hundreds of colleges alter operations to slow the spread of the coronavirus

More than 200 U.S. colleges and universities have altered their schedules—suspending or canceling classes, extending spring break, or switching to online instruction only—in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease.

Administrators at universities from coast to coast have been recommending or in some cases directing students to leave campus housing and return to their homes, where they would continue their classes via the Internet.

The crown jewel of intercollegiate athletics—the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournament, a.k.a., "March Madness"—has been canceled, as have many athletic and cultural events expected to attract crowds.

The decision to cancel the basketball tournaments "is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to the spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year," the NCAA said in a statement.

Among the large universities that are switching to online instruction for at least the next several weeks are Michigan State, Penn State, numerous campuses of the State University of New York, University of Florida, Duke University and UCLA.

Bryan Alexander, a senior scholar at Georgetown University, has compiled a database of U.S. colleges and universities that have close or otherwise altered operations because of the pandemic. As of Thursday, 224 institutions were listed.

Some universities are planning to keep their campuses open, but will alter operations to slow the spread of the virus.

At the University of Texas-Austin, spring break has been extended by an additional week, but as of today, classes are set to resume on campus March 30. The extra week will give the university time to establish ways to increase "social distancing" on campus.

That means avoiding group settings and mass gatherings, maintaining a safe distance from others and following good personal hygiene practices whenever possible.

University President Gregory Fenves says social distancing efforts will include shifting many lectures to online instruction; reconfiguring classroom space and developing alternative instructional modes for classes that must continue to meet in person, such as laboratories and performing arts courses; and updating practices in residence halls, dining halls, recreational facilities and libraries to reduce unnecessary contact and promote better personal hygiene.

"I know this is not the spring break we had expected," Fenves said in a letter to the university community. "I am aware that many of you have had to change your plans, and I appreciate the resiliency you have shown throughout these difficult weeks. We must all come together as a community to make the semester as productive as possible.