Letter from Provost Dominguez on Other Study Abroad Programs

March 3, 2020

Dear Students and Family Members,

University leadership met yesterday to discuss the most recent guidance memo issued by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommending that institutions of higher education consider postponing or canceling student foreign exchange programs and consider asking current program participants to return to their home country. 

Out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our students as our highest priority, Catholic University has made the difficult but necessary decision to suspend all study abroad programming for the remainder of the semester.

The impact of  the coronavirus (COVID-19) varies  from one location to another, but no country is unaffected and we are concerned with the rapidly evolving and unpredictable spread of  the virus. Delayed action could mean an increased chance of exposure to the virus as well as students being caught by travel restrictions, unable to return home, or seeking extended health care in a foreign country.

Catholic University’s Office of Education Abroad will continue to issue program-specific information in the coming days. Continuation of students' academics is a high priority, and for all students who return to the United States or their home countries at this time Catholic University pledges to ensure that they have the opportunity to finish out their semester without the loss of credit.

Students should make immediate plans to return to their homes in the U.S. or their home country, and departure should be no later than Tuesday, March 10. Catholic University cannot guarantee completion of credit for students who elect to remain abroad past this date Return flights home will be reimbursable under the following conditions:

  • Lowest cost reasonable flight
  • Coach airfare only
  • Must arrive in the student’s home country by March 10

To receive reimbursement, a confirmation of payment and this completed form should be sent to cua-cuabroad@cua.edu within one week of travel. Frequent flyer miles redemption cannot be reimbursed.

All students will be given the opportunity to return to Catholic University's D.C. campus after at least 14 days have elapsed since their return home. Students will need to obtain a letter of clearance from their healthcare provider and send it to Catholic University Health Services prior to their return for assessment and clearance. Some students may be required to return to campus in order to complete coursework here. Specific guidance will be sent out for each program.

Many families will have questions about the financial implications of this decision. Information about program fees, on-campus housing, and additional travel costs will be communicated as it is finalized, but please be assured that Catholic University is committed to arriving at a fair and equitable decision for all involved.  

This is not how any of us wanted the semester to turn out, and we realize it must be a disappointment to you, as it is to us. Should any of you wish to return abroad during a subsequent term, we would as always be pleased to assist.

Thank you for your support and collaboration. For questions or concerns, please contact Director of Education Abroad Grace Schneider at schneiderg@cua.edu or 202-319-6010.

Sincerely,
Aaron Dominguez, Ph.D.
Provost 

Letter from Provost Dominguez on Closure of Rome Center

March 1, 2020

Dear Students and Family Members,

In light of recent decisions by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. State Department, Catholic University has made the difficult but necessary decision to end all programming in Rome for the remainder of the semester, effective immediately. We are fortunate that Rome has so far been largely unaffected by the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), but out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our students as our highest priority, we are making this decision in the best interests of our community.

Students should make plans to return to their homes in the U.S. or their home country as soon as possible, but departure from Rome should be no later than Sunday, March 8.  After March 8, the Rome Center will close for the remainder of the semester. Student return flights will be reimbursable under the following conditions:

  • Lowest cost reasonable flight (for most dates and destinations, this will be between $350 and $550)
  • Coach airfare only
  • Must arrive in the U.S. or their home country by March 8
  • Must depart from Rome's FCO airport. Contact CUAbroad in advance if you plan to depart from another location.

To receive reimbursement, a confirmation of payment and completed form should be sent to cua-cuabroad@cua.edu within one week of travel. Frequent flyer miles redemption cannot be reimbursed.

All Rome students will be able to complete all of this semester’s courses through distance education.  Faculty will be contacting students directly with additional details and next steps. Classes will continue to be held at the Rome Center this week, but students who return home and subsequently miss class before distance education arrangements are in place will not be penalized for their absences. Midterms scheduled for this week will be postponed until after spring break.

Although not necessary for completion of their coursework, students who wish to return to Catholic University's D.C. campus this semester will be given the opportunity after at least fourteen days have elapsed since their return to their homes in the United States or their home country. Interested students will need to obtain a letter of clearance from their healthcare provider and send it to Catholic University Health Services prior to their return for assessment and clearance.

This is not how any of us wanted the semester to end, and we realize it must be a disappointment to you, as it is to us. Should any of you wish to return to Rome during a subsequent semester, we would be pleased to waive your program fee for that term.

Thank you for your support and collaboration. For questions or concerns, please contact Director of Education Abroad Grace Schneider at schneiderg@cua.edu or 202-319-6010.

Sincerely,
Aaron Dominguez, Ph.D.
Provost