Dear Arcadia Community,

As we navigate the global disruption of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Arcadia University is taking an unprecedented step in suspending the travel portion of the spring 2020 Preview courses and GFS 381.1. The decision to suspend any course or travel is based on information compiled daily along with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, International SOS, and the Department of State. 

Arcadia commits to providing each student impacted by this suspension an opportunity to have a global experience during the 2020-21 academic year; fees paid this year will be applied to next year’s opportunity.  

This is the first time in the 27-year history of this program that its travel portion has been suspended. This decision was made with thoughtful consideration and diligence to protect the health and safety of all members of the Arcadia community, which is always our first priority. 

All first-year and transfer students who complete their Preview coursework will receive two credits and have an opportunity for international study abroad during the 2020-21 academic year. Students who cannot go next year will have their $595 fee refunded. 

Arcadia is honoring requests from students who need University housing over spring break whose Preview has been canceled. The request process is:

Students should contact Residence and Commuter Life (215-572-2933) with any questions.  

Arcadia’s Travel Advisory Committee, Office of International Programs, Office of Study Away, The College of Global Studies, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Student Health and Wellness are monitoring the coronavirus situation daily. 

For the health and safety of all University community members, Arcadia is requiring a 14-day self-quarantine period for travelers, per the recent CDC recommendation to higher education institutions, returning from Level 3 countries: China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea (as of March 3). Students, faculty, and staff who traveled to one of these countries are urged to self-monitor in their home residence and to be in touch with medical authorities if there are signs and symptoms of illness. 

For guidance for students, staff, or faculty who plan to travel, or have recently traveled, to areas with community spread of coronavirus, refer to CDC’s FAQ for travelers and COVID-19 travel website. For specific guidance on foreign exchange and study abroad programs, see CDC’s guidance on student foreign travel for IHE.

 Finally, the University has a number of semester programs already in progress and underway through the College of Global Studies. Decisions about these programs are undergoing a daily review process in accordance with the above-referenced guidelines, local conditions, and an abundance of care around student, staff, and faculty health and safety. Updates are being provided regularly to all sending institutions through the College of Global Studies and in collaboration with the Arcadia leadership team.

For FAQs and regular updates, University information can be found at arcadia.edu/coronavirus.

Sincerely,
Jeff Rutenbeck, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs