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Austin Peay State University is getting back to normal after a ransomware attack forced the cancellation of final exams Friday.
The cancellation would allow faculty to determine grades based on coursework to this point or students could elect to receive an “incomplete,” according to the school’s website.
Although Friday’s exams were canceled, APSU president Mike Licari said exams beginning Monday would not be canceled as systems were restored over the weekend.
“We understand the recent disruptions from the ransomware attack have been stressful. Our goal with any situation that disrupts the academic process is to return to normal operations as soon as possible. Please know that our IT staff has been working tirelessly since the incident to restore our campus networks,” Licari said in a statement.
“Canceling exams would create new sources of confusion and stress for many students and faculty which is why it’s important to get things back to normal,” Licari added.
A petition at change.org began circulating advocating for cancelling exams this week due to services like One-Stop, Outlook email and One-Drive being unavailable to some students. Students who rely of the campus for Wi-Fi, the Felix G. Woodward Library, the writing center and other resources do not have access, according to the petition.
In an April 30 release, APSU said faculty and students can access the school’s network following the attack and said classroom computers are available for use. Computer lab computers are limited.
Charles Booth, communications director for Austin Peay, said while the university is sympathetic to the students’ needs when something like this happens, administrators work to get systems back to normal as soon as possible.
“Many students are relying on these exams, so our goal is to try to resume instruction as soon as possible,” Booth told The Tennessean. “We are still repairing some systems on a case-by-case basis, but One-Stop is back up and running so students can access their email and online classes. Everything students need is back up.”
The college asks students and faculty to remain on high alert for phishing scam emails.
The May 6 graduation is expected to be held as scheduled, the school said in a statement.
Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on Twitter @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to TheLeafChronicle.com.
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