Colby College in Waterville has joined other colleges in the state in announcing that students will head home before spring break next week and finish the semester online because of concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
In a letter to students, President David Greene said that school is asking students to move out by the end of the weekend. Greene said after consulting with several experts, the school determined its "close-knit quarters" would make it particularly vulnerable, and it would have "insufficient capacity" to deal with a potential outbreak.
Bowdoin College and the University of Maine system announced similar measures on Wednesday, while other colleges in the state say they're still evaluating options but remain open at this point.
Colby says it will work to accommodate international students and others who might need to stay on campus, and it will also help to reimburse students for travel and other connected expenses.
Originally published March 12, 2020 at 1:22 p.m. ET.
