Corning, NY (WENY) -- New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo is directing all State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) schools to develop an online and distance learning plan, for the spring semester.

The announcement came after Governor Cuomo's announcement that the number of Coronavirus cases is going up.

Corning Community College (CCC), which is a part of the SUNY system, released a brief statement, on Wednesday, noting that it will transfer as many classes as they can to an “online arrangement” by March 19th and will continue with that plan until “at least April 4”. CCC says that the campus will remain open and some "hands-on" classes will still be held.

The hope behind the conversion to online courses is to decrease campus density, essentially lowering potential exposure to Coronavirus, by limiting the number of students on campus. Administrators at Corning Community College are following the directive handed down by the state and are developing their plan. But Ryan Hersha, the teachers union president says, there hasn't been much dialogue between the facility and administration.

“There's a lot that we don't know at this point. We haven't heard anything from college administration, the college administration hasn't included faculty in conversations about next steps,” said Hersha.

In their statement, CCC says they're trying to shift as many classes as they can to an online format.

“Basically every class that I had today we went over what we would do if we had to move classes online,” said Pidge, a student at CCC.

“A lot of people are concerned about more of the science labs and how we're going to do that. Like I'm in Chemistry and you really can't get your lab credit without being in the lab,” said Mike, a student at CCC.

Hands-on courses like labs will still meet on campus, ac coring to CCC, which is concurrent with the state's directive. However, New York is advising schools shifting to online courses should do so for the rest of the semester. CCC is saying in response that they'll continue these classes till at least April 4th, opening the door to letting all students back on campus before the semester ends.

“I know faculty here. We care about the students. We're going to put their education first along with the health a well being of everybody. We'll find a way to get them across the finish line,” said Hersha.

Students like Pidge and mike argue they'd rather have classes on campus. Mike said that he's taken online courses and they typically come with extra work. Sydney another student argues the same and then some. She's taken an online course and said that it comes with extra work. She's taking a Ceramics course this semester and speak with her teacher about how to make it work. She said that her professor suggested taking the art home and sending pictures of her progress. It would take homework to a whole other level.

“My house, I think of it as a place where I can relax kind of and just wind down. Here I can kind of get into the mindset where I actually have to do work,” said Sydney.

Syndey says online courses could also create a challenge for students with limited internet access. By Sunday she has four assignments due for her online class. A classmate may not be able to have access to a computer and internet for a long enough time to do several assignments.

CCC went on to say that they are still planning to keep the residence hall open, for students who live on campus. They will also continue to provide food, housing and other services for those students.