Allison Hamilton, News Editor EMORY, Va. — “Effective March 9th, 2020, Emory & Henry College is canceling international programming such as spring break programs, internships, and field-based research. Further, effective March 9th, 2020, Emory & Henry College is placing an indefinite moratorium on all international travel and any unplanned domestic travel.” The previous quote was written in an email sent out to E&H students on March 9 from the college’s administration, after the college had been monitoring the COVID-19 situation abroad since the previous week. On Thursday March 5, Associate Provost and Dean of Students Ryan Bowyer sent out the first of a series of emails to students about how Emory & Henry College is monitoring the situation surrounding the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The email states, “Any member of the campus community that elects to engage in personal travel to any Level 2 or Level 3 [countries] … (or is currently visiting) will be expected to self-quarantine off-campus for a minimum of 14 days and not return to campus unless they are free of symptoms. This includes situations in which the level rises to 2 while on the trip.” As of right now, Japan is the only Level 2 country in the world and Level 3 countries include Italy, South Korea, Iran and China. The CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Level 2 and 3 countries, and foreign travel has been suspended to China and Iran. A second email was sent to students on March 6, stating, “The College suggests that you avoid traveling through major airports and metropolitan areas in states where there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus).” At this point, no international trips had been cancelled. The third email sent to students said that there were many factors contributing to the decision to cancel international travel: “The COVID-19 Task Force considered the CDC Guidance on College/University international travel, considered what other institutions are doing, examined what EAB is providing us as our consultants, and have been in contact with CICV and the Virginia Department of Health.” Another recent email sent out to E&H states, “Effective March 11, 2020, all Emory & Henry College sponsored non-athletic domestic travel is canceled moving forward through the end of the academic year. This includes trips, conferences, tours, and research.” Citing a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Sullivan County, TN, the college stated, “This move is prudent to consider the health and safety of our campus, faculty, staff, and students.” Greek Life Specialist Sam Amos followed that email with another email sent specifically to members of Greek Life clarifying that the above email extends to all on campus groups. “This means that no student group that is on Emory & Henry's campus is allowed to do anything off-campus activities together that has been planned,” said Amos. These events include retreats, group meals, service projects, conferences, new member activities and socials/functions. Amos warned that consequences for holding Greek Life events off campus will result in an automatic one-year suspension of the chapter, which means they cannot wear letters, take new members or vote on Greek Council. Consequences for holding group events for non-Greek affiliated campus groups include a suspension in the group for one academic year, which means the group cannot host events, recruit new members or book rooms on campus. An email regarding groups like this on campus was sent out to group leaders on March 11. Another email sent out later in the day on March 11 stated, “Athletic travel will be suspended for two weeks, from Sunday, March 15, through Sunday, March 29th” E&H will continue to remain in communication with ODAC (Old Dominion Athletic Conference) and NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) to monitor the situation on campus. At 4:47pm on March 11, administration sent out an email extending spring break by one week. This means spring break will be from March 14, through March 29. “This extra week allows for the college and the COVID-19 Task Force to continue to monitor the global and national situation, respond appropriately and with as much information as possible,” the email stated. Please visit www.ehc.edu/flu for further updates and information. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Ryan Bowyer at [email protected].
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