Preparing for potential coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts
Departments across Binghamton University are developing contingency plans in preparation for potential impacts resulting from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that continues to spread worldwide and is likely to affect our community.
“When one thinks about finding ways to complete a semester if COVID-19 directly impacts us here at Binghamton, it’s so much more than ‘How do we teach our students?’” said President Harvey Stenger. “We’re also updating our business continuity plan, determining how we will continue to feed and house students if we cannot use our normal avenues, and developing additional pathways to offer classes through technology.”
Initially, students on education-abroad programs in countries that have reached Level 2 or Level 3 travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Department of State were of primary concern for the campus. A decision by New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo to suspend programs in those countries (China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Italy) was announced March 4, and the University’s Office of International Education and Global Initiatives has been working with other state agencies to bring students studying in Italy and South Korea home. Binghamton has no students on education-abroad programs in the other high-level travel warning countries.
Beyond education-abroad programs, however, the University is planning for how to complete the semester should it be necessary to put brick-and-mortar operations on hold.
“I’ve charged Vice Provost James Pitarresi with leading the planning for academic continuity,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Donald Nieman. “We have an obligation to our students to help them complete their degrees in a timely manner, and will work to the best of our ability to make that happen.”
Piterresi and his planning group expect to use technology to deliver courses to students if in-person classes are halted.
“We’re looking at different platforms and technology that faculty can use to teach students remotely,” Pitarresi said. “We’re developing a guide to help faculty transition to online instruction if they need to, looking at policies and procedures, and evaluating how we will best continue with lab-based courses.”
Information on tools available to faculty may be found online. Faculty who need assistance in learning how to use these tools can get help from colleagues who have used them as well as staff in the Center for Learning and Teaching.
Continuity plans are also being updated for research activities, and business and campus operations.
For example, if access to campus is limited, some laboratory activities may be suspended, but certain critical research operations will need to be maintained. The Division of Research is responsible for coordinating and identifying critical research and laboratory activities, and for preparing appropriate mitigations to support any such activities.
The Division of Operations is ready to provide continuous services to the campus, according to Vice President for Operations JoAnn Navarro.
“In the event of a shutdown, Physical Facilities would maintain some essential staffing related to continuous operations of the Central Heating Plant, the monitor board (emergency customer service), custodial operations (at a very reduced level), emergency repairs (plumbing, electrical, etc.) and other services such as snow removal (if applicable),” she said. “ITS would also maintain technology services and connectivity for the campus, considering many users might work remotely, and Human Resources would need personnel to process payroll and benefits. Of course, emergency services personnel such as University Police, Emergency Management and Environmental Health and Safety would still have a presence.”
“The Division of Student Affairs is developing contingency plans at multiple offices,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose. “Decker Student Health Services is developing strategies to address both an abnormal increase in student traffic and widespread staff absences due to illness. Binghamton University Dining Services is reinforcing proper food handling protocols, planning for supply chain disruptions and illness related staff absences.”
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Johann Fiore-Conte is in regular contact with campus and county health officials to anticipate response protocols within campus residence halls. Residential Life will maintain services following the direction of health authorities and is also developing plans to close halls should that become necessary.
Communications will be absolutely critical as the University implements any contingency plans. Communication vehicles — including the web, Dateline, B-Line, BU Alert, B-Alert Line, electronic signs and external media — will be utilized as appropriate and all updates will be available on the COVID-19 website.
“As this disease continues to evolve and hold the world’s attention, we hope it does not spread to our campus,” said Stenger. “However, common sense dictates that we prepare to the best of our ability now, in the event we are directly impacted at any level.”