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With the threat of COVID-19 expanding, college communities are fearing the worst. With students across the country preparing for and returning from spring break, concerns have been raised about safety precautions on our campus, especially regarding if students had left the country.
Many campuses around the United States have suspended classes for the duration of the semester and are instead moving academics online, according to The New York Times.
Elizabethtown College made the decision to move learning online until April 3, shortly after close-to-home campuses West Chester University and Millersville University prohibited face-to-face class time.
“I am glad that Etown has followed the trend of other schools that are switching to all online classes because I think that it could be a safe alternative,” first-year communications major Margaret Heimbaugh said. Heimbaugh added that while she is glad the Etown community hasn’t been exposed to the virus yet, she worries about the safety of the older faculty members on campus. “I want them to stay as healthy as possible. I think that might’ve been hard if they were on campus as this gets worse,” Heimbaugh said.
Before the close, Etown had created a self-quarantine/incubation on campus in the event that a student may need to isolate, as well as accommodations if employees need to remain home.
“While the risk on our campus remains low, the coronavirus is spreading in different parts of the world,” the College released in an email statement. The College added that students traveling outside the country were encouraged to submit this information and be aware of any developing symptoms.
President Donald Trump has officially declared this a national state of emergency. In the United States, there are currently more than 3,000 active cases of the virus and over 60 deaths, with these numbers still quickly developing, according to CBS News, with 47 presumptive positive cases in Pennsylvania.
Another area of concern has been the effects of COVID-19 on the study abroad program.
“The whole of Italy has been put on lockdown,” according to CNN. So, what does this mean for students and faculty participating in programs in Italy or other countries heavily affected by coronavirus? The answer to that has been in the air, mostly dependent on the university’s decision.
“Given the global outbreak of novel coronavirus, institutes of higher education should consider postponing or canceling upcoming student international travel programs [and] consider asking students participating in study abroad programs to return to the United States,” the CDC wrote online.
Study abroad advisor Megan Bell explained how COVID-19 is affecting Etown study abroad programs specifically.
“The College decided today [March 13] to require all spring 2020 study abroad students to return home early. We also announced that all May 2020 Etown Faculty-led programs have been canceled,” Bell wrote in an email, adding that these plans consisted of five faculty-led programs.
In a newsletter released to study abroad students, Bell elaborated on the importance of keeping students on track for graduation.
“We acknowledge that this situation is frustrating and that you’re likely not ready to come home, but our students’ health and safety remains our number one priority,” the newsletter read.
In the coming weeks, Etown and many other schools may need to make more difficult decisions in wake of such an evolving virus, encouraging students to be flexible, prepared and safe.
“Stay safe, healthy, and be optimistic as this will pass and we will be back on our campus soon,” President Cecilia McCormick wrote in an email to students.
For more information and updates on the virus in regard to our campus community, check https://www.etown.edu/covid/covid_19.aspx
