Dear Colgate Students, Staff, and Faculty,
Over the past several days we have been working to implement a plan designed by the University’s Emergency Operations Committee to allow students to stay on campus in the hopes of returning to normal operations and face-to-face instruction as soon as safely possible.
In the past day we have all received news that makes it necessary for us to significantly change these plans:
- The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic and called on everyone to take extraordinary measures to limit the possibilities of transmission of the virus.
- The state of New York has announced the physical closure and end of regular instruction at all public colleges and universities.
- The White House has announced significant travel restrictions.
In light of these changes, we are asking students to return home by March 22, at the end of what would have been our regular spring recess. As there are still no identified cases of COVID-19 on campus or in our area, we are giving students a full week to prepare for this move off campus. Students may depart at any time from March 13 to 22. We want everyone to be safe in their travels, and we will work to help make this transition as smooth as possible.
We are advising students to pack all their belongings as we do not believe at this time that we will return to face-to-face instruction. Should some students have already left for spring break,the University will provide additional information and support in the event that some items need to be shipped home.
Online instruction of all current Colgate classes will begin on March 30 and will continue through the end of the semester.
Please note that we will continue to provide support, housing, and essential services for any of our students who are unable to return home. We know that many students will not be able to return to their homes either because of travel restrictions, concerns that their primary residence do not provide robust internet capabilities to engage in online learning, or other reasons. We will ask students to work directly with their administrative dean if they wish to remain on campus.
We believe that, given this fast moving situation, this is the right decision for this community. Even so, it was a heart-breaking decision to take.
- To all the students who were seeking to follow our advice to stay on campus during spring recess, thank you for your willingness to make changes to your plans. I know that the changes announced today are especially hard.
- To all the students, for whom a significant portion of your academic year will now be profoundly altered, I know how difficult this must be.
- And to the seniors, for whom the final semester is a time of particular resonance, I know how particularly painful this will be.
- To our parents, I know this is a challenging time for you and your families, and we will work with you to the best of our abilities to help in these transitions
Our decisions earlier this week were based on local, national, and international guidance — and in what we firmly believed to be the best way to preserve academic and community life on our campus, while also minimizing the risk of illness in the community. Recent events have radically altered those beliefs and assumptions.
I realize this decision will result in many questions, notably with respect to academic credit, off-campus study, room and board, athletics, and more. Information specific to students, faculty, and additional details will be forthcoming later today. Please look to the University main web page for the link to this information.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during these extraordinary times. This is not how I — or anyone — wanted to see this semester unfold. I often speak about the importance of Colgate as a place — a place of beauty and gathering and community. To have students leave this place is heartbreaking. But we are also more than a place. We are a community that connects students, faculty, staff, parents, families, alumni, and others. We remain so, and will remain so, even as we face this difficult period in the nation’s and the world’s history.
Brian W. Casey
President