April 10, 2020
By Study Square
Due to COVID-19 or Coronavirus being declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, most universities in the U.S. have stopped conducting face-to-face classroom instruction and moved to online instruction to assist students in continuing their studies.
Universities in all 50 states are doing all they can to minimize student contact with the virus so students can complete the Spring, 2020 semester.
Some examples of changes we have seen include:
- The entire 82 campus system of the State of New York (SUNY) and City of New York (CUNY) universities have stopped conducting classes and moved to on-line instruction.
- The California State University system has stopped classes and are moving to on-line instruction.
- At least 30 private University Study partner universities in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, California, Illinois, Florida, Texas and other states have also moved to on-line classes. Many more universities have followed these procedures.
Universities are proving special services for their enrolled and new arriving international students:
- Most universities have extended the “Spring Break” period (starting mid to late March into April) from one to two weeks. Students at many campuses have the option to stay on campus or travel.
- Students are receiving information, support and counseling to understand the health situation and are provide with information on the virus, campus housing, food services and health service support as needed.
- Students residing in campus residence halls, at many universities, may continue to stay on the campus for the Spring semester and beyond.
- Many universities are providing opportunities for students to stay on campus over the Summer months and enroll in Summer School classes.
- We should all expect some delays moving forward.
Most U.S. universities have done and are doing the following:
- Accepting alternative language scores or are waiving specific requirements.
- Decided classes will continue this Spring semester so students can complete their studies online remotely.
- Cancelled or restricted most domestic U.S. and international travel for faculty and staff for the next 30 days.
- Offered online classes for students for as long as may be needed.
- Cancelled plans to attend most major off-campus conventions, meetings, fairs, recruitment trips and more.
- Allowing faculty and staff to work limited hours on campus and to work remotely from home.
- Cancelled large on-campus activities (group meetings, athletic events, concerts, seminars, etc.) for at least the next 30 days.
- Remaining hopeful things will settle down in the next 60+ days to allow scheduled activities to resume.
- Plans are being made for students scheduled to graduate at the end of this Spring, 2020 semester to finish their degrees on time.
- There are plans in place to assist new applicants for Fall, 2020. Universities are doing all they can to accept students by modifying application procedures and making plans for the Fall semester arrivals.
We realize that overall enrollments and applications will be lower at this time. If you are in need of any assistance in applying for a university in the U.S., do contact us.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who may have been affected by COVID-19. Stay safe and practice proper hygiene.
