Coronavirus Update

Dear Vassar community,

As news concerning the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak continues to develop, we wanted to share some information about how Vassar has been responding to this quickly evolving situation. We have a Crisis Response Team made up of senior officers, who since the start of the outbreak, have been working closely with all areas of the college to ensure a rapid response to the fast-moving conditions taking place locally and globally.

This is a very fluid situation, and to keep you abreast of the latest news and information, we have created a website, https://www.vassar.edu/coronavirus-updates. In addition to providing the latest college updates, the site also includes our recently updated travel policy and helpful links to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State Department and Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization.

As previously noted, Vassar’s current travel policy prohibits students who study abroad and students or alumni traveling with college funds from traveling to destinations with a current U.S. Department of State general travel advisory at level 3 or 4 or a CDC travel advisory at level 3. Our Crisis Response Team is working to provide the best possible advice and alternatives to our students in the event they are unable to return in time for the start of classes March 23.

We are also in regular contact with Dutchess County and New York State health authorities to monitor local developments that may affect the college’s operations.  We are exploring options for all contingencies that may become necessary as conditions change, including distance learning, work-from-home support, and others.

By taking these proactive steps, we will be prepared to implement any and all plans to protect the health and safety of all of our students, faculty, administrators, and staff.

To help ensure everyone has a healthy, safe, and enjoyable break, we remind you to please practice healthy hygiene habits to protect yourself and others; regularly visit the Vassar coronavirus website for the latest updates; and for those traveling during Spring Break, monitor travel and health conditions in your respective areas and destinations.

Should the need arise, we will communicate directly with the community via email. We look forward to seeing all of you in a few weeks.  Until then, we wish all of you a safe and restorative break.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar