Indiana University today took steps to limit exposure of students and faculty in the face of the spreading Coronavirus and limited the rest of the semester to remote classes until April 6. 

This includes all campuses, including the Indiana University Southeast campus in New Albany.

Harvard, Berkley, Ohio State, Berea College and others around the country are taking Spring Break a bit early to get students and faculty out of confined areas. 

In a statement to students and staff today, IU President Michael A. McRobbie discussed methods the university will use to prevent and limit exposure with students and staff as the coronavirus continues to spread across the state and country.

After Spring Break, students on all IU campuses will be taught remotely (not in person) for two weeks (March 23 to April 5). IU is planning to resume face-to-face teaching on Monday, April 6. 

A recent Twitter post from the university cleared up some misinformation.

“Unless you hear otherwise from your instructor, in-person courses will proceed as normal for the rest of the week. At no point are classes outright canceled nor will the campus be closed,” noted the Tweet. 

McRobbie issued a university-wide letter Tuesday talking about measures they are taking for the health and well-being of students and others in the Indiana University community.

One of the measures temporarily suspends classroom teaching for two weeks after their scheduled spring break. When the break ends, students will be taught remotely.

The university encourages students to travel home during this time period and return to campus on April 6.

McRobbie’s letter is below:

“Indiana University has been actively monitoring the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and providing regular updates to the IU community as the situation changes. The health and safety of our IU community is our primary concern in this fluid situation, and we are making decisions as warranted following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), along with state and county health departments. These decisions are being taken to help mitigate and slow the spread of COVID-19 and to help protect the IU community.

To date, no known cases of COVID-19 have been identified on any IU campus. Two IU students have self-reported presumptively positive tests for COVID-19 after being in a CDC-designated Level 3 country while studying abroad. They are receiving care at their home cities, and neither has returned to an IU campus. Multiple cases have been reported in the state of Indiana.

Alongside our extensive prevention efforts that are already being carried out, it is now necessary to take further urgent, proactive steps to help keep the IU community safe. These measures will undoubtedly cause inconvenience and disruption, yet the risks of not acting now far outweigh the foreseeable inconvenience and challenges of these actions. The steps that we are taking are necessary to help ensure the continuing good health of our community. On behalf of Indiana University, I am grateful to all of you in advance for your patience, support and dedication as we work together to energetically address the problems associated with COVID-19.

Given that one of the best ways to prevent the spread of viral illness is to limit contact and the associated risk of disease transmission, the following policies are to be implemented immediately:

Face-to-face classroom teaching temporarily suspended

Following our scheduled spring break (March 15 to 22), students on all IU campuses will be taught remotely (not in person) for two weeks (March 23 to April 5). We are planning to resume face-to-face teaching on Monday, April 6. However, that could change with the evolving situation.

Students are encouraged to travel home, if possible, during this time period. For these two weeks, course work will continue via virtual online teaching. We are investigating how to accommodate classroom activities that typically include laboratories or other in-person interactions, and specific guidance will follow. IU campuses will not close, and residential halls and dining will remain open. 

While completing classes virtually, students are strongly encouraged to stay in their permanent homes away from campus, unless they are prevented from returning home because of travel restrictions or they do not have access to the technology at home, such as reliable internet access, to complete their classes remotely. 

Telecommuting option for faculty and staff

In addition to virtual instruction and consistent with the public health goal to minimize unnecessary contact, effective immediately and until April 6, unit heads should determine if any staff and faculty members are able to meet their work obligations from home by telecommuting and are in a position to do so. In making these decisions, unit heads should be as flexible as possible, considering the nature of the work and whether the necessary tools and technology are available to allow employees to fully perform their job duties away from campus. Human Resources is providing timely information to employees via https://hr.iu.edu/relations/coronavirus.html, where unit heads can find related information regarding other workplace issues associated with COVID-19.

International travel

University-sponsored or affiliated international travel is suspended through April 5. Personal international travel is strongly discouraged given the associated risks of possibly being unable to return for some period if the situation changes. Travelers returning from countries designated Level 2 or 3 by the CDC are subject to 14-day self-quarantine off campus upon return. 

Domestic travel

University-affiliated domestic travel outside Indiana is suspended through April 5. We encourage all members of the IU community to consider using video conferencing, phones or other means rather than traveling campus-to-campus or elsewhere to meet in person.

Other than for students returning home, personal travel outside Indiana is also discouraged. 

Visitors

Until April 5, visitors to all IU campuses are strongly discouraged. Previously scheduled visits should be postponed, and it is important to keep in mind that travelers from international destinations in CDC-designated Level 2 or 3 countries are subject to the 14-day, off-campus self-quarantine on arrival. The CDC designation for any country could change at any time. 

We look forward to again welcoming prospective visits beginning April 6.

Large events (generally, 100 people or more)

No new non-essential, large events should be scheduled through April 6. For events already scheduled through April 6, organizers are strongly encouraged to immediately consider canceling or rescheduling these. Any large events that it is proposed should continue must seek the approval of the Executive Vice President for the relevant campus or unit. Athletic events will follow the guidance of their Conference Governance and public health officials. 

While IU campuses will not be officially closed as part of this two-week time period, we ask for your patience as some services may be limited due to adjusted staffing levels. 

As I mentioned, this is a situation where the information and guidance is evolving daily, often unpredictably. We will continue to adapt IU’s policies as the situation warrants to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Finally, I want to affirm again IU’s values as an inclusive community of students and scholars from all over the world. We thrive when we respect one another and stay committed to each other’s well-being, including our many students whose home countries or states are already facing challenges with COVID-19. IU will not tolerate discrimination. Your continuing compassion and adherence to IU’s values of inclusiveness are essential as we face the challenges ahead.

Thank you again for your support of the university’s mission and our ongoing commitment to the well-being of the IU community and the many communities on all of our campuses. At this time of serious public health concerns, we truly are all in this together as we navigate our way forward.

Michael A. McRobbie

On March 6, 2020, Deputies Kenton Makowsky, Zach Brown and Jessica Dickey went to rural Scott County to check a suspicious male.  An investigation led to the arrest of Timothy Weddle, 40, of Henryville, IN for Public Intoxication and Resisting Law Enforcement. 

On March 7, 2020, Deputies Johnney Coomer and Zach Brown went to a residence in Scottsburg in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival Tyler Blackwell, 30, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Residential Entry. 

On March 7, 2020, Deputy Johnney Coomer conducted a traffic stop in rural Scott County.  An investigation led to the arrest of William Hilderbrand, 33, of Austin for Driving While Suspended Prior. 

On March 7, 2020, Deputy Zach Brown conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of two people on drug related charges. 

William Prostler, 40, of Scottsburg was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Possession of Paraphernalia and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. 

Kristina Crum, 39, of Little York, IN was arrested for Possession of Paraphernalia, Visiting a Common Nuisance and Legend Drug Possession. 

On March 7, 2020, Deputy Kenton Makowsky and Reserve Deputy Steve Bowers conducted a traffic stop in rural Scott County.  An investigation led to the arrest of two people on drug related charges. 

Michael Stace, 25, of Scottsburg was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

Holly Kingery, 30, of Scottsburg was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. 

On March 7, 2020, Deputies Johnney Coomer, Kenton Makowsy and Zach Brown went to an address in rural Scott County for a report of underage drinking. 

Upon arrival seven people were arrested on alcohol charges. 

Ian Lewis, 18, of Charlestown, IN was arrested for Illegal Consumption of an Alcoholic Beverage and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.  Kyle Albertson, 18, of Scottsburg was arrested for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.  Steven Lamaster, 20, of Scottsburg was arrested for Illegal Consumption of Alcohol and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.  Johnie Kinser, 19, of Charlestown, IN was arrested for Illegal Consumption of Alcohol and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.  Ashton Hanger, 18, of Nabb, IN was arrested for Illegal Consumption of Alcohol and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.  Andrew Ross, 18, of Lexington was arrested for Illegal Consumption of Alcohol and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.  Skylar Chism, 19, of Scottsburg was arrested for Contributing to the Delinquency of a minor.  One juvenile was also arrested and cited into court and released to a parent.    

On March 8, 2020, Deputy Skylar Thompson went to an address in Scottsburg on an active investigation.  During the course of the investigation Nathan Huff, 34, of Scottsburg was arrested for Invasion of Privacy. 

Absentee voting by mail applications is now being accepted by the Washington County Clerk’s office, according to Clerk Stephanie Rockey. 

“Just call our office at 812-883-5748 x1128 to request yours today,” she noted. 

On March 16th at 10:30a there will be a Public Test, which consists of testing and certifying the voting systems.

The public is encouraged to attend.

The test will take place at the Election & Voter Services office located at 801 S. Jackson Street, inside the Justice Center. 

If you need to register to vote or change your address, Rockey encourages voters to do this before the April 6 deadline.

“You can come by our office to complete the required documents or you can visit Indianavoters.com, if your issued Indiana Driver’s License is up-to-date, to register to vote,” said Rockey.

Early Voting begins April 7 and can be done in the Election & Voter Services Office.

Hours will be from 8 AM- 4 PM, Monday through Friday from April 7th to May 4th at Noon. They will not close for lunch.

Also, the office will be open on Saturdays, April 25th and May 2nd from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Polls will be open Tuesday, May 5th from 6 AM to 6 PM.

“As your Clerk, I firmly believe in exercising your right to vote,” Rockey said. “Our great state gives us many options to be able to register to vote and to cast your ballot. Even in today’s world, you are given too many options to be able to vote, so there is no reason why your right to vote couldn’t be exercised.”

Indiana State Police charged a 20-year-old woman residing in Little York, Indiana, with Felony Battery and Neglect of a Dependent and Battery and Neglect of a Dependent following a six-month investigation. 

As a result of the investigation, Trooper Tyler Matthew arrested Kaitlyn Hopkins, 20, Little York, on Tuesday, March 3.

Both charges are Level 3 Felonies. 

Hopkins was taken to the Washington County Jail without incident.  

The child in this investigation was placed with paternal relatives after being released from Norton (Kosair’s) Children’s Hospital last fall. 

In August of 2019, Trooper Matthew was dispatched to Norton (Kosair’s) Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY, at the request of The Washington County Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS). 

DCS investigators advised a two-year-old male toddler was transported to Kosairs, and investigators requested assistance investigating possible child abuse. 

The investigation revealed that the child’s father first took the boy to the Scott County Hospital after he was informed the child had caught his leg in a crib at his residence.  

The investigation also revealed the child’s primary caregiver during that time was the father’s fiancée, Hopkins. 

Medical professionals from Kosair’s also contacted the University of Louisville Pediatric Forensic Medicine Unit (PFM) for assistance.  

PFM issued a report on their findings to Trooper Matthew and DCS in October of 2019. 

Trooper Matthew continued the investigation by conducting interviews and gathering further evidence. Matthew then turned his finding over to the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office.    

A car traveling the wrong way on Interstate 265 yesterday evening in Clark and Floyd Counties, collided with another vehicle, killing three passengers and sending two others to the hospital. 

Around 9:14 Saturday evening, numerous callers advised of a White KIA Sportage SUV traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 65 from the Lewis and Clark Parkway.  Before police units could respond, the car turned west onto I-265, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes.   At approximately 9:17 pm, callers reported a head-on collision involving the SUV and a white passenger car near the 5.4 mile-marker just inside Floyd County.  Officers and firefighters from numerous agencies responded to the scene, including Indiana State Police (ISP) crash reconstructionists.  I-265 was closed from the time of the crash until approximately 12:15 Sunday morning, as the investigation continued. 

The preliminary investigation reveals that the white, 2017 KIA Sportage, driven by Taylor A. Barefoot, 31, of Louisville, KY, was in the left-hand lane, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes at the time of the crash.  Barefoot was air-lifted to University Hospital in Louisville with severe injuries. 

The second vehicle, a white, 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, was traveling eastbound in the eastbound lanes at the time of the crash.  The Cavalier was driven by Taylor D. Cole, 21, of Marengo, Indiana.  Cole was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.  Front seat passenger, Leah Renee Onstott, 22, Depauw, Indiana, was transported to University Hospital in Louisville, where she later succumbed to her injuries.  Two Juvenile passengers occupied the back seat and were transported to Norton’s Children’s Hospital in Louisville.  The juvenile son of Cole was pronounced dead after arriving at Norton’s.  The minor son of Onstott remains at Norton’s Hospital in unknown condition. 

Investigators believe alcohol played a factor in this crash.  The crash and possible criminal investigation are ongoing. 

Indiana State Police Troopers were assisted by units from the Clark County Sheriff’s Department, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department, the New Albany Police Department, The Clarksville City Police Department, the Clarksville Fire Department, and the New Albany Fire Department.