Fearing
SARS, colleges recall students from China
Apr. 17, 2003
BILL
FARRELL
Observer-Dispatch
Two
local colleges have called home students studying in
China this semester because of the outbreak of severe
acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
But
school officials say no reason exists to believe students
have been exposed to the virus.
Nine
Colgate University students and a professor, Yufan Hao,
returned to campus Thursday to complete their studies.
They arrived in Beijing in early February and had planned
to stay until May 15.
Hamilton
College ended its program early for about 10 students
studying in Beijing, media relations spokeswoman Vige
Barrie said. The students finished their studies on
an accelerated timetable, took final exams and will
return this week.
Colgate
officials said they heeded warnings from the U.S. Department
of State and the Centers for Disease Control that advise
against traveling to China, Hong Kong, Singapore or
Hanoi unless absolutely necessary.
"It
is a rare and regrettable occasion when we feel compelled
to bring a study group back early," Dean of the
College Adam Weinberg and Provost and Dean of Faculty
Jack Dovidio wrote in a memo to the campus community
last week.
"Part
of the experience of study away from campus is adjusting
to world events. But in the case of the China Study
Group, the warnings of the State Department and CDC
made it absolutely clear to us that the potential risk
of SARS was too uncertain too allow the group to continue
in China."
The
memo said there have been fewer than 50 reported cases
of the virus in Beijing, a city of 12 million.
None
of the students or the professor have reported symptoms
of the illness or any contact with infected people,
the deans said, but they will be monitored for 10 days
by a Colgate doctor.
The
Hamilton students, who have finished their studies,
will not return to campus for the semester.
Earlier
this month, Syracuse University shortened its spring
program in Hong Kong, bringing back 31 students from
SU and other universities.
The
students were based at the City University of Hong Kong,
where a SARS case was suspected last month, prompting
the temporary closure of that university. Hong Kong
has had more than 600 illnesses and 15 deaths due to
the virus.
The
students are not expected to return to Syracuse this
semester and will complete their studies electronically.
SU also canceled two summer programs in China.
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