The University of Dallas has been closely monitoring developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) due to the rapid increase of cases appearing in Northern Italy. While no cases have been reported on or close to our Rome campus (roughly 13.5 miles southeast of Rome), Dr. Peter Hatlie, Vice President, Dean and Director of the Rome Campus, has implemented a number of protective measures for the health and safety of all students, faculty and staff. I have been in close communication with Dr. Hatlie and have full confidence in his leadership and the actions he has taken thus far.
Dr. Hatlie is in the best position to manage the university’s response to an evolving situation. For example, earlier this afternoon, the Italian government issued a law prohibiting college field trips as a precautionary measure. To comply with the law, Dr. Hatlie has canceled the planned Greece trip, which was to begin this Sunday. Instead, classes will be held as usual on the Rome campus.
We will provide updates as they become available.
In the current COVID-19 crisis, the love of Danny Fitzpatrick, BA '13, for Italy, appreciation for his time there, and a creative collaboration with sculptor Tim Schmalz have led to a specific way of rendering aid to the country beloved by so many UD alumni and one-time Romers.
+ Read MoreEdisson Ramos, BA '20, is one of many students receiving assistance from UD's COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, which has currently raised nearly $90,000; the first of the funds were distributed last week to help students make their April rent, and Director of Financial Aid Taryn Anderson, BA '07, is in the process of distributing a second wave to students with housing or food insecurity or in need of Wi-Fi or other resources for online learning.
+ Read MoreIn our current condition, with most of the U.S. sheltering in place and/or learning and working from our homes, it's hard to imagine that just 20 days ago, teachers and those aspiring to be teachers gathered together for the fourth annual Excellence in Education conference at the University of Dallas, organized, run and sponsored by UD's Education Department, but so they did, and so we will all do -- gather together, that is -- some day again.
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