It is not easy to make the decision of going online classes

I know that many of you are deeply concerned about COVID-19 and its implications for your own health and for your friends and loved ones.  As we have shared with you over the last several days and weeks, a team of people here at XXXX has been actively monitoring the evolving developments and guidance surrounding the response to the 2019 novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Many of you have reached out to offer your opinions.  Differing viewpoints on how best to proceed in a time of uncertainty are to be expected.  There are passionate advocates on all “sides” of the issue – whether to stay open as some schools have, move to remote/online teaching and learning as other schools have, and/or send everyone home for the semester as still others have.  What is clear to me is that everyone who has reached out is focused on the health and well-being of each other, and in a time of uncertainty, it is reassuring to see this kind of support in our community. We have read every email, listened in every conversation, and considered the concerns you expressed while also working to balance that input with the unique learning needs of our institution and the advice of the CDC and federal, state, and city officials during this evolving situation.

After weighing the facts and the input from many, we will adjust our academic schedule in the coming weeks to help prevent person-to-person transmission of the virus.