The health and safety of our students abroad is our highest priority. Since the appearance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Marist Abroad Program (MAP) has closely followed the progress of this illness and the attempts by the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and various governments to combat it.
The MAP continuously gathers information from a wide variety of credible sources, including the U.S. Department of State, the Bureau of Consular Affairs, WHO, CDC, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, on-site programs, various news organizations, and professional SARS-related internet discussion groups. We want to provide our students with the latest and best information on steps they need to take to protect themselves from SARS.
Our Singapore program site, The National University of Singapore (NUS), has responded aggressively to keep the NUS campus environment safe for all students. NUS is currently taking all the necessary procedures to combat the spread of the SARS virus. Additionally, the MAP receives updates from the NUS international office. You can review the steps taken by NUS to combat SARS at www.nus.edu.sg/sars/.
Our Hong Kong program site, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), has also responded aggressively to keep the CUHK campus environment safe. Procedures to disinfect campus facilities have already been implemented, along with other procedures to combat the spread of the SARS virus. Additionally, the MAP receives regular updates from the CUHK international office. You can review the steps taken by CUHK to combat SARS at www.cuhk.edu.hk/sars/.
The Marist International Programs office will keep you informed on the status of these two programs. Any decision made will include input from Marist College administrators, the MAP, and program host sites.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding SARS and a Marist Abroad program, please contact Jerald Z. Thornton at 845.575.3330 (office), 845.656.8775 (cell), or by e-mail at Jerre.Thornton@Marist.edu.
