SUNY and CUNY schools prepare plans for distance learning
ALBANY, N.Y. » During a novel coronavirus briefing, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that New York state will contract with 28 private labs to increase testing capacity for the novel coronavirus.
Following a call with the 28 labs, Cuomo announced that he has instructed the labs to begin testing immediately as soon as they are ready. Officials said the 28 labs are specialized in virology and are routine partners with the New York State Department of Health.
The governor also announced the State University of New York and the City University of New York will implement plans to maximize distance learning and reduce in-person classes, beginning March 19th, for the remainder of the Spring semester in light of the evolving novel coronavirus situation in New York.
All campuses will develop plans catered to the campus and curriculum-specific needs while reducing density in the campus environment to help slow the possibility for exposures to novel coronavirus. Distance learning and other options will be developed by campuses.
“We have been working closely with the Governor and the Department of Health to allow SUNY students to continue their education online or remotely, thus limiting their exposure to the COVID-19 while ensuring academic continuity,” SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson said in a news release. “SUNY Online is a major initiative for our System, and we have been preparing to migrate many of our academic programs to this new distance-learning platform.
“With more than 100,000 SUNY students currently taking one or more of their courses online with us, we believe we are prepared and well-positioned to take advantage of remote instruction to further our student’s education during this crisis.”
“While the risk to New
Yorkers remains low, we are taking a number of steps out of an abundance of caution to protect public health including asking SUNY and CUNY to implement strategies to reduce density on campuses for the remainder of the semester,” Cuomo said in the news release. “At the same time, we’re continuing to prioritize ramping up testing capacity because the more people you identify as having the virus, the better you can contain it.
“We’re also leading by example and providing paid leave to all state workers who are quarantined as a result of the virus - and we encourage businesses to voluntarily do telecommuting to the extent possible. Again I want to remind people to keep this in perspective: the facts do not justify the fear in this situation and the facts here should actually reduce anxiety.”
Cuomo went on to announce the state will guarantee two full weeks of paid leave for all state workers who are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine as a result of the novel coronavirus. Employees will not have to charge accruals during the time taken off work for quarantine.
This will apply to all state employees, regardless of civil service classification, bargaining unit, and regardless of par- time or accrual status, Cuomo noted.
Finally, the governor also confirmed 43 additional cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 216 confirmed cases in New York state. Of the 216 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows: Westchester: 121 (13 new) New York City: 52 (16 new)
Nassau: 28 (9 new) Suffolk: 6 (5 new) Rockland: 6 Saratoga: 2 Ulster: 1 After speaking with business leaders on Wednesday, Cuomo also announced a new cooperative effort with New York business leaders to voluntarily implement different work shifts and telecommuting in an effort to reduce density.