Taylor University has announced the cancellation of all impending spring break trips in the face of the expanding COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release.
Taylor’s spring break is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., Friday, March 20, and end with the start of classes at 8 a.m., Monday, March 30.
The announcement was made by an email sent to the campus on Tuesday evening from Taylor’s Provost and Executive Vice President, Dr. Michael Hammond.
“Today, our Senior Leadership made the difficult decision to cancel all scheduled spring break trips. This includes all international trips and all trips within the United States,” Hammond said. “There is a great sense of disappointment in having to take this step, knowing how diligently these teams have prepared for ministry and service. But in recent weeks as the COVID-19 virus has spread throughout the world, we, as well as many other colleges and universities have had to make difficult choices that impact their students and programs. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have a responsibility for the health and safety of every member of the Taylor community.”
The decision impacted students and faculty sponsors traveling to four international destinations including Abaco, The Bahamas; Cancun, Mexico; Antigua, Guatemala; and Santiago, Dominican Republic. Domestic destinations included New York City, South Carolina, and Florida.
Additionally, spring break trips planned for Taylor’s women’s track team and the men’s and women’s golf teams were canceled along with a planned Taylor Chorale bus trip to historic Civil Rights historic sites in destinations that included Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Taylor officials also announced those students wishing to depart the campus during spring break may do so, but with the stipulation that they report their destinations to the university. They added Taylor reserves the right to ask students or employees returning from any affected areas to self-isolate.
Hammond said the university will work with students who may not have reasonable travel options for spring break to accommodate them on campus.
Taylor officials will continue to follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to help mitigate the risks to the Taylor community.
