NYU Shanghai Parents Call for Student Exodus To
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
5 CULTURE 9 OPINION NYU Trend Report: The University’s Place in the New Decade Edition Climate Crisis 6 ARTS 10 SPORTS The Patched Film Adopts the The Olympics’ Ban of Protests is Worst From Video Games Hypocritical and Unfair VOLUME LIV | ISSUE 1 MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2020 NYU Shanghai Parents Call for Student Exodus to NYC NYU Shanghai delays the start of spring classes due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus, but parents and students do not think it’s enough. By MINA MOHAMMADI Deputy News Editor After China’s leader Xi Jinping warned of the “accelerating spread” of coronavirus on Saturday, uni- versities across China, including NYU Shanghai, delayed the start of the spring academic semester. Parents and students, however, say it isn’t enough. This new virus — also known as 2019-nCoV — has killed at least 56 people and infected 2,000 since its discovery in the city of Wuhan. Cas- es of the virus have been found in other countries including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and even the United States. The most recent delay an- nouncement — issued through an updated alert email yesterday by vice chancellor of NYU Shanghai Jeffrey Lehman — pushed classes ECHO CHEN | WSN back to Feb. 17. Classes at NYU Shanghai will start later than expected due to the recent outbreak of the deadly virus. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 This Should Have Never Happened To You In these video-diaries, three survivors of sexual violence share their stories of experiencing assault and the way it affected their lives. READ MORE ON PAGE 11 CHARLIE DODGE | WSN 2 Washington Square News MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2020 [email protected] NEWS Edited by LISA COCHRAN and EMILY MASON NYU Shanghai Parents Call for Student Exodus to NYC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ing the most up-to-date guidance,” the 27th, but believe with the opportunity NYU Shanghai first-year Zineb lot of friends who are pretty worried “We have just been advised by the statement reads. “As we receive new in- to catch up, our students will flourish Dardafaa was less satisfied with NYU but at the same time it’s not necessarily Shanghai Municipal Education Com- formation or directions, we will update without daily fear.” Shanghai’s outreach. Dardafaa felt threatening to the majority of healthy mission that, pursuant to their strategy the community.” Students have shared similar con- NYU Shanghai reached out to its stu- college-aged students.” for responding to the 2019-nCoV situ- But members of the NYU commu- cerns. NYU Shanghai first-year Sayon dents too late, which she said prevented Aylor told WSN that the virus could ation, they do not want universities in nity remain unsatisfied. The Facebook Biswas said that international students her from recognizing how dire the situ- potentially allow people to point to Shanghai to reopen until February 17,” page “NYU Shanghai Parents,” a group — who comprise half the campus’ pop- ation was. She received the initial delay the aspects of NYU Shanghai they Lehman said. “Accordingly, our Spring of 166 members, posted an appeal crit- ulation — are anxious about returning email on her plane back to Shanghai. already do not like and create unnec- semester will not begin until that date. icizing the delay. The appeal said delay- to NYU Shanghai. “I was pretty mad. If I had received the essary anxiety. Our dormitories, however, will remain ing classes will not give enough time to “I know almost a dozen kids that are news in a more timely manner I would “A lot of students come from dif- open between now and then.” address global health concerns. really serious about not coming back this have switched my flight time,” Darda- ferent backgrounds and their parents The Student Health Center is taking “[The delay] defies logic to send a next semester because of worries of their faa said. “Instead, I am now here with a don’t understand China well and what steps including temperature screenings child into the epicenter of a pandemic safety,” Biswas said. “I am concerned small group of friends two weeks early, the endemic entails,” Aylor said. “I feel and mandatory travel questionnaires, virus,” the appeal stated. because I do have lots of friends that watching changes happen every couple like they don’t have much security in Associate Vice President of the Student The solution, the group argues, is are currently in Shanghai telling me the of hours. Everything is so cloudy.” their students studying abroad in China Health Center Carlo Ciotoli said in a for the student body to move to NYU’s situation is being taken seriously. The Dardafaa said many of her peers are in the first place and using this issue to university-wide email sent on Jan. 24. In New York City campus. majority of people are wearing masks.” reconsidering their attendance at NYU justify their anxiety.” this email, Ciotoli also cited the initial “We respectfully ask that our stu- Biswas commended NYU’s effort to Shanghai and that faculty has yet to As of now, there are no identified cas- delay, which was set for Feb. 10. dents be considered for immediate re- address the situation by delaying classes address the excessive academic pressure es of the virus in the NYU community, Additionally, a statement released by sumption of classes at NYU’s New York but also cited problems with it, includ- brought on by the delay. She added that including NYU Shanghai. NYU Spokesperson John Beckman ad- campus either in person or through ing the cancellation of spring break. she supports the parents’ push to have “Relocating to NYC seems drastic dressed the spring semester delay and online enrollment, or at another cam- “I was really not for classes being classes resume in New York City. but it is doable, so I believe it is in their efforts by the Student Health Center to pus location nearest our student’s delayed because what is a week really NYU Shanghai junior Jaeven right to suggest it,“ Biswas said. “We are remain informed about the virus. home country where we feel safe,” the going to do? But on the other hand, Aylor also voiced concern about all waiting to see what happens.” “The medical staff at the Student statement reads. “This will enable their it’s an effort on the part of the school,” the virus’ spread. Health Center, as mentioned, is in reg- continued education working toward Biswas said. “If we do start on the 17th, “I am about to study away in New Email Mina Mohammadi at ular touch with governmental health a degree from NYU. We understand we are going to have classes non-stop un- York, and personally I do feel like I [email protected]. authorities so as to ensure we are follow- the NY city classes commence January til summer break.” dodged a bullet,” Aylor said. “I have a NYU Sydney Students Describe Red Skies and Foggy Smoke During Bushfires By LISA COCHRAN down on you if you went outside,” which killed nearly 200 people. It is News Editor Kemp said. “There was about an hour referred to as Black Saturday, as it is if you stood outside for 10 minutes, it considered one of the deadliest fires in As bushfires ravage Australia, NYU was like breathing in 70 cigarettes.” Australian history. Molloy added that Sydney students and faculty recount- Like Kemp, CAS sophomore Jessi- the immense loss brought on by this ed their experiences, describing bright ca Chapel also studied at NYU Syd- blaze led Australia to reconstruct its red skies and the persistent smell of ney during the fires. She said that fire safety protocol. smoke on their commutes to class. near the end of the semester, students “Now in Australia whenever it’s While the city center — where were forced to wear face masks to a dangerous day, people around any- NYU Sydney campus is located — has avoid dangerous smoke inhalation. where that’s fire-prone are told to get been less affected by these fires than She added that the 35-minute walk out,” Molloy said. “Our new warning other areas of Australia, students com- from the dorm to the campus was regime is incredibly effective.” plained about canceling travel plans, often difficult. Despite new safety measures, this the dangers of smoke inhalation and “It was really hard to walk home be- fire season — which began in July having to close windows to prevent cause everyone was coughing,” Chapel and has yet to subside — is unprece- smoke from entering their dorms. said. “It was awful.” dented in scale, causing record dam- “What did impact students and fac- Tisch senior Hannah Vickery, age to the continent’s landscape and ulty was that the fires were so intense who also studied at NYU Sydney last wildlife. The fires have claimed 28 and there were so many going on that fall, said that while the smoke was human lives and affected more than there was more smoke in the city,” not always pervasive, there were days 25 million acres of land, additionally NYU Sydney Environmental Journal- when it was clearly visible both out- killing an estimated one billion ani- ism professor Fran Molloy said. “Be- doors and indoors. Some students mals as a result. cause it’s a warm climate and people even described smoke in the lobby of “The rest of the world was looking do a lot of things outdoors, it really re- the academic building and student at what was going on in the fire zones,” stricted the city people from pursuing residence hall. Molloy said.