To the Temple community:

We wanted to update you on how COVID-19 is impacting our study abroad students and the campuses at Temple Rome and Temple University Japan.

Leaders at our international campuses and here at Main Campus have been working around the clock to ensure the safety and welfare of our students. We want to thank all those involved in our education abroad programs in Japan, Rome and around the globe for their diligence and tireless efforts on behalf of our students. 

It’s important to note that no one at any of these campuses has contracted COVID-19, and no Temple student has come down with the illness anywhere in the world, as far as we are aware. 

However, in light of the changing situations in different nations, we have made the following decisions:

China
University-affiliated travel has been suspended for students, faculty and staff through April 30. 

South Korea
On Feb. 26, the U.S. Department of State raised its travel advisory to Level 3: Reconsider Travel to South Korea, and on Feb. 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised the travel advisory to Level 3: Avoid Non-Essential Travel to South Korea. As a result, the university has suspended student travel to South Korea immediately, including Spring 2020 programs. 

We have contacted the students in South Korea directly, advising them to depart the country immediately. Those students planning to travel to South Korea have been told they should make alternative plans. We will be working with these students regarding the academic continuity of their spring semester.

The suspension of travel to South Korea will continue through April 30. 

Temple University Japan
In order to put TUJ in sync with many Japanese universities that are currently not in session, and in response to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s request this week to close public schools to curb COVID-19 transmission, TUJ will suspend classroom teaching for two weeks, beginning Monday, March 2.

During these two weeks, classes will be taught online so that students do not lose progress in their coursework. We would like to stress that this is a preventative measure; no cases of COVID-19 have been reported at TUJ, and the campus will remain open.

In addition, Temple University Education Abroad students who wish to go home are now authorized to leave and continue their coursework online. Instructions on taking this step have been shared with the students. 

Temple Rome
Today begins Spring Break at Temple Rome, and we have advised students to avoid traveling out of the country. It’s important to note that no cases of COVID-19 have been reported at Temple Rome. 

As is true in Japan, Temple University Education Abroad students at Temple Rome who wish to go home are now authorized to leave and continue their coursework online beginning Monday, March 9. Temple Rome students have received instructions on how to take this step. 

Provisions are also being made to teach Temple Rome classes online for the remainder of the semester, should the need arise. 

We want all of you to know that we continue to monitor the changing situations and will continue to make those vital decisions to ensure the safety and welfare of our students, wherever they are, whenever it is warranted. Updates will be posted to the Temple University COVID-19 FAQ page, which includes links to our Temple Rome and Temple Japan websites. 

In closing, we want to send our deepest thanks to our students who have worked so hard under sometimes difficult circumstances. The grit and determination that make Temple Owls persevere has been shown time and again in recent weeks. We are so proud of all of you. 

Sincerely, 

Richard M. Englert
President

JoAnne A. Epps
Executive Vice President and Provost