Dear Members of the Fordham Community,
Last week Governor Cuomo announced changes in the rules governing Universities’ responses to positive COVID-19 tests on campus, and how those cases are counted. Very briefly, the threshold for pausing in-person instruction and activities is no longer simply 100 cases within a 14-day window, rather no more than “5% of the total on-campus population” can test positive for COVID-19 over a 14-day period, provided that at least 25% of the on-campus population is tested each week.
The pause at Rose Hill will remain in effect for now. We are reviewing these new standards to see what latitude they may allow in resuming in-person instruction and activities. At the same time, we are closely monitoring the trend of new cases on campus, in consultation with New York City and state Departments of Health, to determine when it is safe to lift the pause of in-person activities on the Rose Hill campus.
That said, this is hopeful news, as it appears to give us more leeway in conducting in-person classes and activities. At the risk of repeating myself, I urge students especially to observe COVID-19 precautions rigorously for the sake of your health and that of the University community. With your cooperation we should be able to lift the pause for the balance of the spring semester, and allow those of you on campus to return to in-person classes and activities as soon as possible.
I thank you in advance for your wholehearted cooperation and observance of COVID-19 precautions.
Sincerely,
Joseph M. McShane, S.J.
