At 12 p.m. on March 9, the Office of the President emailed the Fordham community, notifying them that all Fordham classes are suspended from 1 p.m. March 9 through March 10. Classes starting on March 11 will be instructed online only. 

The Office of the President said that as of writing, there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Fordham community. 

“Though this is an undeniable disruption of the academic enterprise, we feel that it is the best way to minimize the risk of spreading the virus within the campus community,” Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., wrote in the email. 

A commuter student exhibited symptoms of the coronavirus over the weekend and is currently self-isolating at home. The Office of the President said that they will inform the campus immediately if they learn that the student tested positive for the virus. It is unknown whether the student attends the Rose Hill or Lincoln Center campus.

As of March 9, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that there are 105 confirmed cases in New York state, 12 of which are in New York City. 

University Health Services, Residential Life, Student Affairs, Counseling and Psychological Services, Facilities Operations, Custodial, and Public Safety will remain open and available to respond to the university’s needs. 

The email also encouraged all students to return home immediately and to take all school-related materials with them, so they can continue with online classes after spring break. 

Students who are unable to return home will be allowed to remain in their residence halls, and the dining hall will remain open. 

In the email, McShane said that the university will evaluate whether “conditions allow students to return to campus, and resume face-to-face instruction on March 30.”

Students are suggested to check Fordham’s website for updates about coronavirus.