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Columbia University Cancels Classes After Coronavirus Exposure Columbia University Cancels Classes After Coronavirus Exposure
(32 minutes later)
Columbia University announced on Sunday night that it was canceling classes on Monday and Tuesday and that classes would be taught remotely for the rest of week after a university community member was quarantined for exposure to the new coronavirus.Columbia University announced on Sunday night that it was canceling classes on Monday and Tuesday and that classes would be taught remotely for the rest of week after a university community member was quarantined for exposure to the new coronavirus.
In a post on the university’s website, Columbia’s president, Lee C. Bollinger, said it was important to note that the person had not tested positive for the virus.In a post on the university’s website, Columbia’s president, Lee C. Bollinger, said it was important to note that the person had not tested positive for the virus.
“This action is intended to prevent the virus from spreading,” Mr. Bollinger said.“This action is intended to prevent the virus from spreading,” Mr. Bollinger said.
Mr. Bollinger did not say whether the person was a student or a faculty member, or how the person had been exposed to the virus.Mr. Bollinger did not say whether the person was a student or a faculty member, or how the person had been exposed to the virus.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York declared a state of emergency on Saturday as the number of coronavirus cases rose. As of Sunday night, more than 100 people in New York State had tested positive for the virus, according to state and local health officials, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York declared a state of emergency on Saturday as the number of coronavirus cases rose. As of Sunday night, more than 100 people in New York State had tested positive for the virus, according to state and local health officials, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Barnard College, which is considered one of Columbia’s four undergraduate colleges but is an independent institution, announced that it was taking the same precautions. In a post on Barnard’s website, the college’s president, Sian Leah Beilock, characterized the person’s exposure as an isolated case.Barnard College, which is considered one of Columbia’s four undergraduate colleges but is an independent institution, announced that it was taking the same precautions. In a post on Barnard’s website, the college’s president, Sian Leah Beilock, characterized the person’s exposure as an isolated case.
The cancellations coincide with midterm examinations for many students, which Ms. Beilock said she had asked to be suspended or given in a take-home format.The cancellations coincide with midterm examinations for many students, which Ms. Beilock said she had asked to be suspended or given in a take-home format.
“It is important to know that our actions are out of an abundance of caution,” she said.
Students at Columbia and Barnard College won’t return to the classroom for two weeks because spring recess is next week. In 2019, there were 33,413 total students and 4,364 total faculty members at Columbia, according to the university’s website. At Barnard, there were 2,682 undergraduate students and 253 full-time faculty members as of the fall.
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“It is important to know that our actions are out of an abundance of caution,” she said.
Students at Columbia and Barnard College won’t return to the classroom for two weeks because spring recess is next week. In 2019, there were 33,413 total students and 4,364 total faculty members at Columbia, according to the university’s website. At Barnard, there were 2,682 undergraduate students and 253 full-time faculty members as of the fall.
Kelly Fuller, a freshman at Barnard who is currently taking a global health class, said it was difficult to say whether canceling classes was the best decision, but “I’m glad they’re doing something.”Kelly Fuller, a freshman at Barnard who is currently taking a global health class, said it was difficult to say whether canceling classes was the best decision, but “I’m glad they’re doing something.”
“When we got the email, it was like, thank you, yeah, that’s what I wanted,” she said. “You’re recognizing that it’s important for us to not get sick.”“When we got the email, it was like, thank you, yeah, that’s what I wanted,” she said. “You’re recognizing that it’s important for us to not get sick.”
Maya Perry, 22, called it a “sensible” decision, but all of her classes at Columbia this semester were small-group seminars, like a 12-person class on American cultural criticism that she worried might not work as well online.Maya Perry, 22, called it a “sensible” decision, but all of her classes at Columbia this semester were small-group seminars, like a 12-person class on American cultural criticism that she worried might not work as well online.
“I was looking forward to a particular class discussion on Tuesday, but obviously safety is more important than that,” she said.“I was looking forward to a particular class discussion on Tuesday, but obviously safety is more important than that,” she said.
Ms. Beilock said that residence halls, libraries and other university buildings would remain open, but that all events and gatherings had been canceled, in addition to admissions tours. She said the university had consulted with city and state health officials on the plan.Ms. Beilock said that residence halls, libraries and other university buildings would remain open, but that all events and gatherings had been canceled, in addition to admissions tours. She said the university had consulted with city and state health officials on the plan.
“We all share the goal of upholding the health and safety of our community,” she said, “and we ask for your consideration and caring of each other during this difficult time.”“We all share the goal of upholding the health and safety of our community,” she said, “and we ask for your consideration and caring of each other during this difficult time.”
The precautionary measures taken by Columbia and Barnard came as public school administrators in one town in Westchester County, N.Y., announced on Sunday that a middle school teacher had tested positive for the virus and that classes had been canceled for the week at all public schools there.The precautionary measures taken by Columbia and Barnard came as public school administrators in one town in Westchester County, N.Y., announced on Sunday that a middle school teacher had tested positive for the virus and that classes had been canceled for the week at all public schools there.
The town, Scarsdale, which is about 25 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, was following the recommendation of the Westchester County health commissioner, school officials said in a post on the district’s website.The town, Scarsdale, which is about 25 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, was following the recommendation of the Westchester County health commissioner, school officials said in a post on the district’s website.
They said the teacher was showing mild symptoms of the illness and that the school district wanted to be vigilant for “immuno-compromised” people.They said the teacher was showing mild symptoms of the illness and that the school district wanted to be vigilant for “immuno-compromised” people.
The school system said it was working with health officials to contact families of students who had been exposed to the teacher. All school buildings will be disinfected, the post on the district’s website said.The school system said it was working with health officials to contact families of students who had been exposed to the teacher. All school buildings will be disinfected, the post on the district’s website said.
“We recognize that this news will be concerning to many of our students and families,” the post said.“We recognize that this news will be concerning to many of our students and families,” the post said.
In New Canaan, Conn., public school officials announced on Sunday that classes would be delayed two hours on Monday so teachers could organize materials for students to take home with them in case the schools close because of the coronavirus.In New Canaan, Conn., public school officials announced on Sunday that classes would be delayed two hours on Monday so teachers could organize materials for students to take home with them in case the schools close because of the coronavirus.
Ned Lamont, Connecticut’s governor, announced on Sunday that a resident of Wilton, Conn., which neighbors New Canaan, had become the first state resident to test positive for the virus. The person, who the governor said was between 40 and 50 years old and had recently traveled to California, was being treated at Danbury Hospital.Ned Lamont, Connecticut’s governor, announced on Sunday that a resident of Wilton, Conn., which neighbors New Canaan, had become the first state resident to test positive for the virus. The person, who the governor said was between 40 and 50 years old and had recently traveled to California, was being treated at Danbury Hospital.
A New York resident who is an employee of Danbury Hospital and Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut also tested positive for the coronavirus, Mr. Lamont said on Friday.A New York resident who is an employee of Danbury Hospital and Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut also tested positive for the coronavirus, Mr. Lamont said on Friday.
Daniel Victor contributed reporting.Daniel Victor contributed reporting.