Posted on 3/21/2020
By, Mary Stone – Faculty Adviser
The coronavirus has driven students out of St. John Fisher College as it has other institutions, organizations and businesses across the country and around the world.
It was on Thurs., March 12, following a meeting of faculty and school administrators, that students found out the school would suspend classes on campus to protect the community from further potential exposure. In an email to students that afternoon, President Gerard Rooney, Ph.D. announced plans to launch online courses Mon., March 23.
Residence halls closed at 6 p.m. Sat., March 14, to remain closed throughout the end of the semester. So far, it has not been decided whether or not there will be a
In his message, President Rooney noted there were no confirmed coronavirus cases at St. John Fisher. The college, he wrote, would remain open and continue business operations with some modifications.
On Fri., March 20, however, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the 100 percent closure of non-essential businesses statewide, effective 8pm Sunday, March 22. (Exceptions were made for essential services such as groceries and healthcare.)
In a Fisher Alert email sent that same day, it was noted that all buildings on campus are being secured and access to campus is restricted. “Fisher security officers will be actively monitoring campus and will approach and ID anyone who does come to campus,” the alert read.
In his message to students, President Rooney thanked students for their diligence, patience, and understanding as the administration and faculty implement policies and make decisions in the best interest of the campus community and the community at large. He wrote: “I have seen the collective power of our campus when we come together to do what we do best, and appreciate our continued commitment to deliver the Fisher experience to the students we have the opportunity to serve.”