Dear Study Abroad Students,
A few minutes ago, you should have received a message from Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C. While there are no known cases of COVID-19 among our students, faculty, or staff, the University has made the decision to suspend in-person classes after spring break until April 13, 2020.
This has prompted the University to make the difficult but necessary decision to end all study abroad programming for the remainder of the semester, effective immediately.
NDI has been working very closely with the Gateways and Centers, our partner institutions, and various units on campus. Please know that we are committed to your academic success and continuity and will do everything we can to enable you to complete this semester. More details will follow in the coming days.
In the immediate future, please be advised of the following:
- You will be departing from your study abroad program location at some point between Friday, March 13 and Monday, March 16. If you are currently traveling, please return to your study abroad program location as soon as possible.
- Anthony Travel is booking your flight to the nearest airport to the home address we have on record. You will receive a travel itinerary soon.
- If you are an F-1 visa holder and cannot return to your home country, please contact the Office of Residential Life at residentiallife@nd.edu.
- Upon entry into the U.S. or at another international airport, you should be prepared to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
- If you have traveled to Italy or any other Level 3 country in the past two weeks, upon returning home, please follow CDC recommendations to self-quarantine for 14 days at your home after your first screening. Information on what this entails is located on the University Health Services’ website.
- If you have not traveled to Italy or any other Level 3 country in the past two weeks, you are not required to self-quarantine.
- The University is committed to your academic continuity and is currently making plans to allow everyone to finish the spring semester either through online learning or by other means. Once these details are finalized, we will contact you via email.
We understand your disappointment with this decision; however, your safety and well-being are the University’s top priority. We are committed to doing everything possible to help you in this transition.
We appreciate your patience as we make your travel arrangements. If you have any urgent questions, please write to studyabroad@nd.edu or call 1-574-631-1138.
Sincerely,
Hong Zhu
Senior Director of Global Education
Originally published by at coronavirus.nd.edu on March 11, 2020.