As the coronavirus pandemic rapidly spreads it has forced many cities to close local businesses, schools and suspend air travel, among others. Per university sources, there are a total of 244 international students at Oswego State, although an estimated 150 have chosen to stay in the residence halls. 

Since the first red flags were raised that a campus closure may take place, Residence Life and Housing and the Office of International Education staff have been in contact with international students, who were asked to reply to an online form and indicate their intentions as part of the response protocol. 

International students were allowed to stay if they desired to remain in the residence halls. Hart Hall, located in central campus, houses most of Oswego State’s international student population.

“Most international students shared that they did not plan to return to their home country, while others informed us that they will return to their home country, with some students undecided,” Oswego State Chief Communications Officer Wayne Westervelt said. “Of those who stated that they would not return to their home country, most plan to remain in the residence halls on campus; with some staying off-campus in Oswego or Syracuse.”

As travel costs increased, some were able to find last-minute travel solutions. Spanish junior exchange student Manuel Ruiz saw no other choice than to alter his spring break plans and travel to Colombia to stay with his family.

“They recommended that we return to our home countries,” Ruiz said. “I packed everything with me, as I didn’t plan to return to campus.”

The pattern that the novel coronavirus follows is unpredictable, therefore the university has encouraged students to be proactive rather than reactive.

“All of us are capable of becoming sick from the virus and international students are no exception nor have they been deemed an ‘at-risk’ population,” Westervelt said.

The current situation, however, has impacted international transfer and non-transfer students in different ways. For senior student and Oswego State swim team member Alex Davie, the concerns extend beyond those related to housing.

“I would like to use this opportunity to express concern for the class of 2020 as these seniors are currently facing the most stressful times of our lives so far and with this outbreak on top of it makes school insanely stressful,” Davie said. “Oswego should graduate all last-semester students.”

Similar to Davie, second-semester junior Vegard Bergset of Norway has decided to stay on campus in light of the current danger posed by air travel.

“I chose to stay in Oswego, although I might go stay with family in Connecticut, but I’m not going back to Norway for the time being,” Bergset said. “It’s a difficult time for everybody, I hope people stay healthy and safe.”

Those who stayed on campus have been able to remain in their respective rooms in spite of the fact that some of them might have been roommates.

“It is important to note that the college has taken unprecedented measures to prevent the spread of the virus, requiring us to change plans, operations and our behavior in order to remain committed to our own health and safety and that of our fellow students, co-workers, families and neighbors in our communities,” Westervelt said.

Parents and families of international students have expressed concerns that may extend beyond those related to health.

“We have been providing rapid and thorough responses to questions from our students and their families,” Westervelt said. “So far the questions have mostly focused on how students can complete their semesters, maintain immigration compliance and what the on-campus situation is. We have done our best to respond and be helpful given the fast-changing situation.”

Office of International Education is in constant communication with all partners all over the world, and international students.

International students who have gone home have also transitioned to remote learning as other Oswego students did. 

“In the event that an international exchange partner university chooses to nominate a student to return to SUNY Oswego next year, and if all other academic and immigration issues are in compliance, we look forward to welcoming international students back to campus in the fall,” Westervelt said.

Oswego State is asking faculty, staff and students, including those who live off-campus and and those who have returned to their family homes, to please follow the recommendations set forth by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in terms of social distancing, limiting population density and discouraging group meetings. 

Students who request testing for COVID-19 while on-campus will be directed to the Oswego County Health Department. Each county health department is the main contact point for cases of COVID-19, including testing and treatment, within their corresponding county.

As per Oswego County, there is a mobile testing site available for community members.

“This virus can affect anyone and is being spread communicably in our community and all over the United States and world,” Director of Student Health Services Angie Brown said. “It is everyone’s responsibility to follow guidelines and recommendations to keep each other safe and stop the spread of the virus.”

Thus far, per Johns Hopkins University & Medicine, Oswego County has four active coronavirus cases with no deaths recorded.