Baruch president announces decision to continue remote learning for the 2021 spring semester

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Anacaona Rodriguez | The Ticker

Angelica Tejada, Opinions Editor

Baruch College President S. David Wu sent out an email to the Baruch student body on Oct. 28, announcing that the CUNY Board of Trustees approved CUNY’S decision to continue the offering online and distance-learning classes for the 2021 spring semester.

“CUNY and the Board recognize that by reducing the density of individuals on campuses and continuing to offer classes and support services in a primarily online and remote format we can all better ensure the continued health, safety, and welfare of our students, faculty, and staff during the ongoing and unpredictable Covid-19 pandemic,” Wu wrote.

In his message, Wu included information on the different student support services offered at Baruch that will continue to be available for students virtually during the spring semester.

One of them was the Counseling Center, which will continue to provide free and confidential telehealth support, which is available in multiple languages for students.

The Early Learning Center, which provides childcare services to students, the Student Health Center and quiet study spaces will also be available.

“Our Office of Student Life encourages student engagement in its virtual campus communities via participation in the 120+ student clubs and organizations,” Wu wrote.

Wu further encouraged students who are experiencing food insecurity and financial difficulties to contact the Office of the Dean of Students to inquire about Baruch’s Student Emergency Fund.

The Baruch College Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund was “created for the purpose of providing quick response emergency grants to students in good standing with short-term financial emergencies, to enable them to remain in school, rather than being forced to take a leave of absence or drop out,” according to the Student Affairs website.

Students, faculty and staff can visit the Baruch Forward 2020 website which Wu recommended for updated resources and tools for navigating Baruch’s virtual campus.

At the end of the email, Wu gave his thank you to students for their “continued resilience.”

“We don’t know the full extent of how spring and future terms will play out, but one thing is certain: the safety of our students, faculty, and staff is the highest priority for Baruch and CUNY and will be the key factor in determining the balance between in-person and remote learning and working,” Wu wrote.

Wu asked students to engage with him via Twitter @DavidWuBaruch, as well as his blog and email at President@baruch.cuny.edu.

“It is critical for me to hear from you as we move forward during these difficult times.”