Dear Students:

We write to update you on the College’s response to the rapidly evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Even though risk in New York State currently remains low, and there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus at Marist or in Dutchess County at this time, we continue to approach this situation with an abundance of caution.

As you know, the College has taken many proactive measures to protect our community by increasing the availability of hand sanitizers and soaps, and is utilizing peroxide-based cleaners across campus. Our emergency management committee is meeting regularly and includes our own medical experts to advise us on best practices. We are closely collaborating with local officials and following their guidance, along with that of the New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as we implement our response and develop the College’s policies. We have established a website that is continuously updated so that all members of the Marist community are aware of and follow these policies.  We wanted to share the following policy updates and reminders with you:

• All College-sponsored international travel is prohibited for the immediate future as we continue to monitor the situation.
• We are advising all members of the Marist community to exercise extreme caution in planning your upcoming travel, including over spring break. Please be aware that because travel advisories can change quickly, if there is a change to the travel warnings while you are away, you will be subject to the strictest interpretation of the suggested policies in order to limit the risk of spread to the Marist community.
• Those who are returning from a CDC designated Level 3 country (currently: China, South Korea, Italy and Iran), will not be permitted to return to any Marist location until after a self-quarantine of 14 days in which they show no signs of illness. We have provided guidance on self-quarantine best practices to those affected.
• Our residence halls have been closed to all guests through March 22. 
• According to medical advice, any student who exhibits flu symptoms (coronavirus or otherwise) should stay in their room and contact Marist Health Services at 845-575-3270.
• Any member of the College community who does not comply with the College’s policies or procedures related to the coronavirus may be subject to serious disciplinary action.

We know that members of our community are understandably concerned about this rapidly evolving situation.  We should remember that Marist has been through similar challenges in the past – including the swine flu, the Ebola virus, H1N1, and SARS. Then as now, Marist is relying on expert advice from medical professionals in developing our response. Based on this advice, we are taking proactive steps to protect the health and safety of the Marist community, and to ensure that if this situation does escalate, we will be prepared.

As always, the well-being of our entire community remains the College’s top priority.

Sincerely,

Deborah DiCaprio
Vice President for Student Affairs
Marist College
Deborah.DiCaprio@marist.edu
845-575-3515