Long Island University Post in Brookville will be switching to strictly remote learning for at least the next two weeks due to a noticeable increase of coronavirus cases throughout the campus.
The announcement was made by the university’s President, Kimberly Cline, after 33 new cases were reported since Oct. 10, according to a letter sent out on Wednesday. Cline said the decision to switch to remote learning was “made to protect the LIU Post community.”
“Last weekend, a small number of positive cases were reported as a result of off-campus social gatherings that violated LIU’s Code of Conduct,” Kline said. “Most of these cases were contact traced back to these isolated events. Some students, who have not tested positive, have been asked to quarantine.”
Kline said no reported cases from any of the university’s faculty or staff members had been reported as of Thursday, along with other campuses such as Brooklyn, Riverhead, Brentwood, and Westchester. All other campuses will continue in-person instruction, Kline said.
“Please take responsibility for your actions, look out for each other, show concern for the well-being of your family and your peers, and do everything that is necessary to stay safe,” Kline said. “We urge the entire LIU community to abide by the school’s health guidelines and all state-mandated restrictions.”
According to the state’s COVID-19 report card, which tracks reported cases throughout school districts, private schools, higher education institutions, charter schools, and state universities of New York, 103 students had been quarantined as of Thursday. A total of 54 students were also isolated, 36 being isolated on campus, according to the data.
As of Thursday, LIU Post had conducted 172 polymerize chain reaction tests, which detect the genetic information of the virus, throughout the nearly 4,000 full-time student body. The university’s student enrollment as of 2017 was 8,499 students, including those who attended part-time.
Hofstra University, whose total enrollment as of 2019 was 10,804, had already conducted 5,795 tests as of Thursday. A total of 75 positive cases had been reported to the state, but the virus has since phased out of the university, with only four students currently quarantined.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said colleges are required to switch to remote learning for two weeks if cases surpass 100 or if five percent of the campus’ population tests positive, whichever figure is less.
