Columbia classes to go remote

Columbia University canceled classes for Monday and Tuesday, and will shift to to“remote classes” for the remainder of the week after a student was exposed to the coronavirus.

University President Lee Bollinger said the decision doesn’t mean the famed Ivy League school in Morningside Heights was shutting down.

“I am writing this evening to notify everyone that, because a member of our community has been quarantined as a result of exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19), we have decided to suspend classes on Monday and Tuesday,” Bollinger wrote in an email blast to students. It was also posted on the school website. “This suspension of activities will allow us to prepare to shift to remote classes for the remainder of the week.”

“I want to emphasize that the individual who has been quarantined has not been diagnosed at this point with the virus. Please understand that the decision to suspend classes does not mean that the university is shutting down. All nonclassroom activities, including research, will continue in accordance with the new travel and events restrictions announced recently.”

“This action is intended to prevent the virus from spreading,” Bollinger wrote.

Meanwhile, a faculty member at a Scarsdale middle school tested positive for the fast-spreading virus, prompting officials there to order the closing of schools in the north suburban district.

The district announced its decision Sunday night.

“We have spoken with the Westchester County Health Commissioner this evening, and she recommended that we close our schools in an abundance of caution… we will be closing all District schools from March 9-18, 2020, for continued cleaning, progress monitoring and social-distancing.”