NY Coronavirus: Pace U. Moves All Classes Online

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Starting Wednesday, Pace University will suspend in-person class meetings on all three campuses and move all classes to remote learning. The suspension for Manhattan, Pleasantville and White Plains is through March 29, school officials said.

There are now 173 confirmed cases of COVID-19, as the virus is known, in New York — up 31 from Monday.

• Westchester County: 108 (10 new)
• New York City: 36 (17 new)
• Nassau County: 19 (2 new)
• Rockland County: 6 (2 new)
• Saratoga County: 2
• Suffolk County: 1
• Ulster County: 1

Spring break for the New York City and Pleasantville campuses will continue as scheduled next week, with remote learning resuming after break. Pace officials asked students and staff traveling for spring break to notify them via this form if they travel to a CDC-named high-risk region.

"We want to make clear that we have no reported cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) on our campuses or in our community," school President Marvin Krislov and Vanya Quiñones, the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, said in a message. "We are acting now from an abundance of caution, to encourage the social distancing that authorities believe will be crucial to stopping the spread of the virus. This is a precautionary measure, not a reactive one, and our goal is to do everything we can to keep everyone in our community healthy."

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Pace's new policies and protocols will be in effect through March 29:

Academic Continuity

• All classes will continue to meet. To keep students on track for their educational goals, it is imperative that instruction and attendance continue as normal.
• Instruction will take place via various methods of remote learning. Those resources are available at www.pace.edu/working-remotely.
• Students and faculty should remain in frequent communication to ensure effective distance learning.
• If students choose to leave campus, they should bring with them the supplies they need for their classwork, including laptops, textbooks, notebooks, and course material.
• Some specific programs may continue to meet in person. Deans will notify you of these exceptions on a school- or college-specific basis.

Campus Life

• Residence halls will operate as normal during this period and during spring break.
• Dining services will remain open during the remote learning periods. They will not be open during spring break, per usual practice. You can always use flex dollars at local establishments during the break.
• Students will not be permitted to sign in guests to their residence halls or other facilities in the period through March 29. This includes both daytime and overnight guests.
• Campus libraries will remain open as scheduled.
• Pace shuttles and buses will operate as scheduled.
• All large University events should be canceled, postponed, or moved to a virtual event through March 29.
• Athletics events will continue, per the Northeast-10 schedule. They will be closed to spectators.
• The fitness center in Pleasantville will be closed to non-Pace members.

Business continuity

• All University operations will continue during this period, especially those that support our students and our faculty and staff. Everyone, including part-time and student employees, is expected to report to work.
• Supervisors should be clear about expectations and responsibilities for all employees, including student employees, and be sure that everyone has all the necessary technology and applications to carry on their duties from home, if necessary. Matt Renna, vice president for Human Relations, can provide any needed guidance.
• Whether you are working remotely or on campus, consider replacing in-person meetings with Zoom conferences.
• Research-related activities, including care for animals, will continue.

Travel plans

• As a reminder, we’re also asking that you be mindful of the situation during your travels over spring break.
• Please avoid travel to a foreign country designated as Risk Level 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and avoid U.S. regions that the CDC has cited for high risk levels, like Washington and California.
• If you do travel to a high-risk region, either internationally or domestically, please notify us via this form. You may be asked to observe the 14-day quarantine recommended by the New York State Department of Health or provide documentation from a healthcare provider that you are authorized to return to school or work.

"We know this is a stressful time, and we’re doing everything we can to ensure the safety and security of our community," officials said in the letter. "Please continue to take the recommended precautions. Wash your hands frequently. Avoid touching your face. If you’re not feeling well, stay home. And if you’re concerned about your health, please contact University Health Care or your own provider immediately."

Remember that students have access to the Counseling Centers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The college's announcements and policies regarding the coronavirus outbreak can be found here.

With questions or concerns, students can contact their deans for students. Faculty and staff should contact their deans.

SEE ALSO:

• Interactive Map: Latest US Coronavirus Cases
• Coronavirus: 1-Mile Containment Area Planned In New Rochelle
• Coronavirus: Expert Offers Common-Sense Reasons Not To Panic
• To Avoid Coronavirus, Americans Over 60 Should Hunker Down: CD