CONAHEC News and Information

The novel coronavirus and Covid-19, the disease it causes, are becoming a public-health threat across the world, fueling fears of a possible pandemic.

As more cases are reported, colleges are re-evaluating their study-abroad programs, moving courses online, and taking other preventive measures. Meanwhile, some academic associations are canceling their conferences.

We’ve compiled what you need to know — to be updated regularly — on the virus’s spread and its implications for higher ed.

Which American campuses have reported cases?

High-level representatives from the U.S. and Mexican governments met March 4 in Mexico City for the 12th Plenary Meeting of the 21st Century Border Management Initiative Executive Steering Committee to encourage increased bilateral collaboration on key issues affecting our shared border.

On a Sunday in May 2014, 140 students from 49 countries, some in hijabs, some with hair tinted purple to match their graduation robes, walked across the stage to collect the first diplomas awarded at New York University Abu Dhabi.

Former President Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker. But the day really belonged to John E. Sexton, NYU’s president. He greeted every student – many of whom he knew from the 14,000-mile round trip he made from New York every other week to teach – with a fist bump or a hug.

When things are bad enough, everybody knows. Programs have been closed or neglected; enrollments have declined; a hiring freeze has been imposed; pessimism permeates the campus. While all of that is true of institutions on the brink of collapse, what about those not yet in such dire straits? How can a college monitor its fitness so that it can head off serious trouble — or plan for the inevitable? Our answer is a risk score that quantifies institutional health.