Updates on COVID-19

Earlier today, Dean Rosen-Metsch sent the following message to students regarding updates at GS as a result of the developing situation with COVID-19.

March 09, 2020
School of General Studies logo

Dear GS Students,

Last night you received an update from President Bollinger notifying the Columbia community that, out of an abundance of caution, classes are suspended today, Monday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 10, to allow our faculty and staff, and our students, to prepare for online instruction starting on Wednesday, March 11.  I write with a few additional, important updates and to share important resources.

At this time, while classes have been suspended, all Columbia University School of General Studies administrative offices remain open and our entire team is available to help you navigate this situation. All advising and Educational Financing appointments will continue as scheduled. I encourage you to reach out to your advisor with any questions or concerns about the impact of these changes. 

We are working with colleagues across the university to prepare for online instruction for the remainder of the week when classes resume on Wednesday. You will receive additional information and instructions about how you should access your courses online and how you will take your midterm exams and complete other assignments in an online environment. I appreciate your patience as we respond to this challenge and work toward the resumption of classes in this new format. 

Additionally, over the weekend, the University updated our events policy to strongly discourage non-essential events of more than 25 people on all of our campuses.  If you are working on or planning a large group event, please work with the GS Student Life team, your student group advisor, or the sponsoring department to take appropriate steps or if you have questions.

We are also working closely with our partners at Sciences Po and Trinity College Dublin to ensure the health and safety of our Dual BA students at those universities and will be following up with important updates and guidance as they are available. I encourage our Dual BA students to follow the guidance provided by Sciences Po and Trinity College Dublin and their advisors there, but also to know that their Columbia advisors are available for support as well.

This is an uncertain and difficult moment, but please know that the health and safety of the Columbia community is our highest priority. It is important that we do our best to communicate and share information, and we will continue to update you on the situation. I encourage you to visit the Columbia COVID-19 web portal for regular updates. 

Sincerely,

Professor Lisa Rosen-Metsch
Dean

Additional Resources

  • The University’s COVID-19 website has up-to-date information on all University policies and resources.
  • Columbia Health’s COVID-19 phone hotline will be available for questions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday: 212-854-9355.
  • Counseling and Psychological Services

5th and 8th Floor Lerner Hall

(212) 854-2878

  • Office of the University Chaplain

212-854-1493

  • GS Dean of Students Office

(212) 854-2881