ASHLAND — Ashland University has now canceled two University-sponsored trips as AU officials continue to monitor the status of the Coronavirus (COVID19), according to a statement issued by Public Relations Coordinator Tami Mosser.
Most recently, the University’s spring break trip for 12 students going to Florence, Italy was cancelled and an AU student studying in Florence was recalled, in keeping with University policy to not allow University-sponsored travel in countries with a level 3 alert or higher.
A student tour planned for South Korea, which would have left in late February, already was cancelled. We will monitor the situation worldwide before making any decisions about travel programs scheduled for May.
Ashland University officials will continue to monitor the COVID19 updates as they become available through the Ashland County Health Department, the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mosser said.
Still on schedule is an international MBA trip to Spain and Portugal, which will leave Friday and return Saturday, March 14, as well as the AU Jazz Orchestra’s upcoming trip to Spain.
“From an international recruitment perspective, we are feeling an impact as prospective students are not being able to obtain visas or travel to begin studies in the U.S.,” Mosser said in the statement. “Due to COVID-19, we have also postponed a spring recruitment trip to China, but will be offering other options to connect with students and partners while AU staff are unable to travel physically to meet with them.”
Current AU students, who were not able to return for face-to-face courses in the U.S., have been accommodated by their academic programs to continue taking courses online to avoid delaying their progress towards their degree.
The university is working closely with state officials as well as Gov. Mike DeWine’s office to ensure that there is a coordinated effort among higher education institutions in Ohio.
On campus, AU is following the precautions set forth by the CDC and ODH and are keeping our students updated on the situation as they prepare to leave campus for spring break next week, Mosser said.
