Cal Poly cancels some study-abroad programs as coronavirus fears grow
In response to the widening coronavirus outbreak, Cal Poly has suspended some of its study-abroad programs and is recommending students returning from affected countries quarantine themselves for two weeks before returning to campus.
The move comes as American colleges and universities scramble to protect their campuses from the growing viral outbreak.
The disease — also known as COVID-19 — originated in Wuhan, China, and has spread rapidly to countries all over the world, including the United States. China, Japan, South Korea, Italy and Iran are among the countries facing the most severe outbreaks.
Along with the cancellation of the study-abroad programs, Cal Poly is also warning students about the risks of overseas travel at this time.
“Wwe strongly advise against travel to these areas during the upcoming spring academic break, to minimize the risk of exposure and/or disruption of course work,” wrote Anthony J. Knight, director of emergency management, and Tina Hadaway-Mellis, assistant vice president of student affairs, in a March 5 letter to the campus community.
The university has more than 500 study-abroad programs in 75 countries around the world, Cynthia Lambert, a Cal Poly spokeswoman, told The Tribune in an email.
There are currently about 90 Cal Poly students and faculty or staff members who are traveling abroad, Lambert said. Most students are in European countries.
Study-abroad programs suspended
In response to the coronavirus threat, the university suspended study-abroad programs in China, South Korea and Italy scheduled for winter and spring quarters, Lambert said.
About 50 students were impacted by program suspensions in Italy and South Korea — about two dozen of those students were studying abroad at the time of the restrictions, she said.
The remaining students had planned to leave for Italy during spring quarter. No students were studying in China when the university began suspending programs.
“Cal Poly and the CSU are in close communication with those students and are currently working with campus partners and agencies to provide comprehensive support and services,” Lambert wrote.
Sonja Waitkus — a junior biological sciences major studying in Seoul, South Korea — told Mustang News she plans to stay in the country and continue her experience abroad, in spite of the virus outbreak.
“I think if the situation worsens significantly, (my family) will probably want me to come home as soon as I can,” Waitkus wrote to Mustang News in an email. “I’m honestly not too concerned about it right now. I really wanted to come to South Korea, and seeing as this situation hasn’t impacted my experience too significantly, I’m still very happy to be here.”
College campuses affected by coronavirus
At least one American student studying abroad tested positive for coronavirus when he returned home after his program was canceled, according to a New York Times story.
The student, a junior at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, was studying in Italy and was tested for the virus after he returned home to Chicago, according to the story.
The Times also reported the University of Washington in Seattle has suspended in-person classes for the remainder of its winter quarter due to the large coronavirus outbreak in the area.
In California, three UCLA students are being tested for COVID-19 and are self-isolating off-campus, according to the university’s Office of the Chancellor.
Cal Poly continues to keep tabs on the situation, and the university has set up a coronavirus web page to provide information.
“Cal Poly is actively monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19,” the page reads. “We are proactively engaged in pandemic planning with our public health partners, including the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department and the CDC. (Campus Health and Wellness) is following the guidance of the CDC and our local health officials.”
