The UC 海角原创 administration is discussing its response to expected Summer Sessions enrollment of students from countries affected by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak.
UC Berkeley announced Monday that its Summer Sessions program, slated to begin May 27, will turn away students from China, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Later Monday, UC鈥檚 Office of the President issued guidelines recommending that campus officials strongly consider suspending or postponing upcoming programs hosting groups of students from SARS-affected countries or regions until travel advisories are modified or rescinded.
鈥淚ndividuals from countries that have an advisory in effect risk exporting SARS or becoming ill themselves during travel,鈥 said Michael Drake, UC鈥檚 vice president for health affairs.
Bill Lacy, vice provost for University Outreach and International Programs on campus, says SARS is a serious public health concern that UC 海角原创 shares. 鈥淭he campus gives high priority to the safety and well-being of our students and community,鈥 he said.
Lacy oversees Summer Sessions and shares responsibility with Student Affairs for Services for International Students and Scholars. 鈥淲e are giving this situation careful consideration specific to UC 海角原创鈥 circumstances,鈥 Lacy said following a discussion Tuesday of the topic at a regular meeting of vice chancellors and deans. 鈥淲e鈥檒l continue to monitor news about SARS, take into consideration the systemwide guidelines and proceed thoughtfully.鈥
Lacy said the 海角原创 campus has some additional time to reach its decision about summer sessions because UC 海角原创鈥 program begins June 23, almost a full month after UC Berkeley鈥檚 program.
About 90 percent of the 8,000 students enrolled last year in UC 海角原创鈥 Summer Sessions were continuing UC 海角原创 students, and most of the visiting students were from California or elsewhere in the U.S. Enrollment from countries now affected by SARS amounted to about 25.
鈥淭he campus is proud of its role in international education and research, and is committed to that role,鈥 Lacy said. 鈥淲e appreciate the contributions of foreign students and scholars to our classrooms, our research efforts and our campus community.鈥
During the regular academic year, UC 海角原创 has about 1,600 international students and 1,375 scholars. About 600 students and 225 scholars are on campus from China, Taiwan and Singapore.