Daily Update on Campus Safety and Covid-19

THIS POST IS A REPUBLISHED VERSION OF AN EMAIL COMMUNICATION SENT BY AUP PRESIDENT CELESTE M. SCHENCK ON MARCH 9, 2020, ABOUT COVID-19 AND AUP'S RESPONSE. IT IS PART OF OUR SAFETY & SECURITY BLOG THAT ROUNDS UP ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

As a new week begins, we are heartened by the warm response that we’ve received from parents to the University’s preventive measures and its contingency planning for possible future developments. The French government has not yet announced a move to Stage 3 of the epidemic response plan, which we outlined in our email to you on Friday, but we are well prepared for this eventuality should it arise. 

It is important to keep a level head and a clear view of the evolving situation. The health risk to college-age students from Covid-19 continues to appear to be minimal. At AUP, we agree with this recent assessment from the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), which states that, while Covid-19 should be taken seriously, one should keep in mind that 82% of people who contract the disease have only minor symptoms and that there has been a 99.8% recovery rate for college-aged students. 

It is a confusing time, and, since rumors tend to fly at times of uncertainty, it can be difficult to sort the facts from the false information. That’s why we are committed to following official guidelines from the French Health Ministry, the CDC of the United States, and the World Health Organization. In uncertain times, it is more vital than ever to let experts guide our actions and decisions. We are also in close touch with international schools in Paris, and sister American universities abroad in Europe. At this moment, higher education institutions in Paris are holding classes as students return from self-quarantine day by day.  

Over the last week, I have been consistently reassured by the response of our students, who have exhibited immense understanding and solidarity during a challenging period. In fact, our student government association left CARE packages at the doors of those quarantined, and many have helped friends keep up with classes. I want to highlight the response of one student who wrote to us recently: “By keeping campus open, we give students a place separated from the fear that is being broadcast everywhere else, and a place where students have access to support that is familiar, and dedicated specifically to them. Keeping campus open helps maintain a sense of continuity that I feel is severely lacking in these times that feel so turbulent.” 

This sense of continuity and community is vital to AUP’s ability to overcome these new challenges. Please reach out to us if you have any issues or questions. Thank you, once again, for your feedback and support.