The Latest: U of Minnesota summer classes to be online only

MINNEAPOLIS – The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Minnesota (all times local):

3:45 p.m.

The University of Minnesota has announced that summer classes will be online only because of concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

University President Joan Gabel made the announcement in a system-wide email Monday.

“While we manage through the immediate concerns and challenges presented by COVID-19, my leadership team and I are also considering plans for the intermediate and long-term future,” Gabel said in the statement.

The Minnesota Daily reports the decision comes as university students enter the third week of online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing guidelines.

According to the email, while the move to online classes applies to all university students, individual campuses will communicate with students this week about plans specific to their campus.

The university earlier postponed all commencements.