4 CULTURE 9 OPINION Spring Break Staycation Guide Expanding Accessibility to Paid 6 ARTS Sick Leave Tisch Dance Program Students 10 SPORTS Call for Societal Change Yes, NYU Has an Equestrian Team VOLUME LIV | ISSUE 7 MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2020 NYU Paris Students Tense as Coronavirus Spreads to France Students at NYU Paris are left feeling uneasy as the future of the campus remains inconclusive, even as France steps up containment efforts surrounding the coronavirus. By GRACE SYMES Contributing Writer Students at NYU Paris are unsure of their next steps as France becomes one of the epicenters of the coronavi- rus outbreak in Europe. France has 19 reported deaths and 1,126 confirmed coronavirus cases at the time of publication, placing it among the hardest-hit countries in Europe alongside Germany and Italy. Much of the students’ unease stems from an email sent by NYU on Tuesday, giving study abroad students the option to either leave their respective sites and take classes virtually or to remain abroad. The decision comes in the wake of the sudden closures of NYU Shanghai and NYU Florence, and in response to new guidelines from the CDC, which urges American universities to consider sending students home from study abroad campuses. ANNA LETSON | WSN CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Paris is a popular study away site for students. With the recent coronavirus crisis, NYU Paris is preparing for a potential shut down. Hackers Compete at NYU Tandon By EMILY GLASS and improve everyday life. All three of NYU’s and financial empowerment. Event chair and Contributing Writer main campuses — Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and Tandon senior Esteban Espana commented on New York — competed in the annual event. the impact of these tracks. In Tandon School of Engineering’s gymna- In Brooklyn, competitors congregated at NYU “[These tracks] go along the theme of us- sium, no table was spared from the barrage of Tandon School of Engineering’s Polytechnic ing technology for the betterment of society, half-finished energy drinks and snacks strewn Institute. The event is open to non-NYU stu- whether this be through traceability, through among computers. Small teams collaborated dents, and individuals can compete alone or in transparency, accountability, through bridg- at these tables to create new uses for various teams of up to four students or recent graduates. ing existing gaps and making people feel more kinds of technology. Hackathons involve using technology for ex- comfortable,” Espana said. “All of these proj- This weekend, hundreds of innovators gath- tended periods of time to creatively solve prob- ects are meant to make people feel better in ALANA BEYER | WSN NYU Tandon School hosted HackNYU 2020, NYU’s annual ered at HackNYU 2020, NYU’s annual hack- lems. There are four main competitive tracks: their daily lives.” hackathon. Contestants compete in categories of sustainability, athon, to compete, strengthen their community sustainability, health and wellbeing, education CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 health and wellbeing, education and financial empowerment. 2 Washington Square News MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2020 [email protected] NEWS Edited by LISA COCHRAN and EMILY MASON NYU Paris Students Tense as Coronavirus Spreads to France CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 that the possibility of a campus closure sponsibility rather than offering a le- ther complicates her situation. aged all students to avoid international For students who remain at their later in the semester could not be ruled gitimate solution. “I cannot leave because I’m from or domestic travel to areas affected by study abroad locations, classes will out and that NYU was carefully moni- “I feel like the email was definitely China,” Song said. “It’s more serious, the coronavirus. continue in person. For those who toring local regulations and updates to more so that NYU could avoid liabil- the virus situation is more serious in Some students have accordingly can- return home, most classes will be determine its next moves. ity,” Steinhardt sophomore Gillian China […] I definitely cannot go back celed travel plans and assured family held on the digital conferencing plat- “Things might evolve in France as Weatherford said. “I think now either to China. But I have to admit that the members that they will not be leaving form Zoom. Students are expected to they might evolve anywhere in the way, they can point back to this deci- situation in France is getting worse.” the country, but for those who already make the decision to stay or leave by world,” Galichon said during the town sion that we have to make and be like, Even if she was able to go home, the purchased plane or train tickets and Thursday, March 12. hall. “I think the main message is that ‘Well, your child decided to take on thought of taking online classes holds have made extensive travel plans, the At an NYU Paris Town Hall on basically, NYU is continuing to op- this liability.’” no appeal for Song. idea of canceling all further travel is Tuesday, March 3, university offi- erate in Paris, and I think that’s very France is currently at stage 2 — “Since we are students and we also hard to stomach. cials addressed issues such as how the good news […] if NYU is keeping op- a pre-epidemic level — as laid out pay for tuition, we all want to be in “It’s really frustrating, because this online Zoom function would work erating its center in Paris, it’s because by French Prime Minister Éduoard the classroom to learn, because I feel is my one chance to study abroad,” for students choosing to leave and NYU is considering it safe.” Philippe during an emergency meeting like that’s the best way to learn, be- Weatherford said. “I have already whether or not students would be re- The town hall did little to assuage with other French officials in late Feb- cause you really get to interact with bought a lot of tickets […] I’ve spent imbursed for housing. concerns over what would happen if ruary. As a response, the government your professor,” Song said. “Other- so much money on these tickets. As of In addition to figuring out classes, NYU Paris closes later in the semes- has closed schools in the most affected wise we would all be taking Zoom at now, I’m not changing my travel plans.” any student who chooses to leave will ter, and many students still consider areas and banned gatherings of more home right now.” As France steps up its response to be responsible for their own travel this a likely outcome as the number of than 1,000 people. Students pursuing certain majors the coronavirus, students are also con- costs and will not have their housing coronavirus cases continues to rise rap- Stage 3 is defined as a full-force ep- were left under the impression that if cerned that if they leave the country costs refunded because their departure idly in France. idemic, with cases of the virus spread- they left campus now, they would be they may not be able to get back in, would be considered voluntary, as was “I appreciate that they have options ing throughout the entire country. The unable to graduate on schedule. or that soon they will no longer be stated during the Town Hall. for students who are concerned,” So- country is expected to enter this stage “For music, we just can’t do that,” able to return to the U.S. without fac- “I wasn’t planning on leaving,” phie de Morelos, a College of Marin ju- soon, likely signaling more school Weatherford explained. “We can’t ing a quarantine. Gallatin junior Emily Goniea, who is nior studying at NYU Paris told WSN. closings, more extreme restrictions on learn ear training or keyboarding over “I’m planning on returning to the studying at NYU Paris, said. “But if I “But I know there’s still the possibility large gatherings and suspensions of Zoom. I can’t make up those classes. U.S. for summer school, and I’m real- had any question about if I was going that the school will close. It would be public transportation. I have to take these classes in order to ly worrying now about whether I can to, learning that I would not be reim- really disappointing if campus closed For some worried about the situa- graduate on time.” return to the U.S.,” Song said. “I am bursed for housing would have solidi- and we wouldn’t get the study abroad tion in France, NYU’s email came as Many students who have chosen to facing the problem that I might not be fied it. Like even if I had been planning experience that we expected.” a welcome surprise, allowing them to stay are now left attempting to strike able to go anywhere.” to, that would have changed it.” Though some appreciate the agen- take their safety into their own hands. a balance between staying safe and NYU Paris Director Alfred Gali- cy that NYU is offering, others see For CAS sophomore Tianai Song, a making the most of their study abroad Email Grace Symes chon told students at the town hall the email as a means of avoiding re- student at NYU Paris, the email fur- experience. In the email, NYU encour- at [email protected]. MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2020 Washington Square News | News 3 CRIME LOG Hackers Compete at NYU Tandon CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 through Sunday March 8. The Kamille Tipan, Francis Lewis Clout Stolen From Teams are judged on technical building was open overnight Friday High School senior, competed in difficulty, originality, polish and and Saturday for those who opted the sustainability track.