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FAQ: Temple Rome Closure

Posted Mar 3, 2020

Updated March 27, 2020, 2:15 p.m. EST

This page contains a list of frequently asked questions regarding the closure of Temple Rome for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. See communications sent to the Temple Rome campus community.  

General

If I have a question and want to communicate with someone in person, can I?

  • Temple Rome will be open and staffed from Sunday, March 1 to Friday, March 6, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CET).
  • On March 7–8, we will be open from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. (CET).
  • Temple Main Campus will staff a dedicated telephone number (+1-215-204-6000) and email account (tu-info@temple.edu) from Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Why did you decide to stop in-person teaching at Temple Rome?

What prompted this decision now?

  • The CDC and the State Department elevated their travel warnings on Feb. 28, and the university promptly responded.
  • Before Feb. 28, we offered students the opportunity to voluntarily leave Italy.
  • We also strongly advised Rome students who are not returning home immediately to stay in Italy for spring break (Feb. 28 to March 8) and not travel should the situation change.

Getting home

What happens next?

  • Temple Rome students need to make arrangements to gather their belongings, leave Italy and return home.
  • We are urging students to let Temple Rome know where they are, and how quickly you can return to Rome, so that we can assist them as needed.
  • After they have notified Temple Rome of their current whereabouts, students should contact their airline or travel agent to arrange a return flight home. Please note that many U.S. carriers are waiving change fees. Check with your carrier, but please let us know if your change fees are not waived.
  • Stop by Temple Rome from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. to schedule your shuttle to the airport. There will be no charge for this service.
  • So that we are aware of your plans, please complete the Temple Rome Request for Remote Course Completion Form.

Will Temple pay for my flight costs to return home? 

  • You should be able to use the return portion of your existing round trip ticket. During times such as these, airlines may permit passengers to change their flights without penalty. We know, for example, that Delta, American and United Airlines are offering change fee waivers. If your change fees are not waived, please let us know and please keep your receipts.

Is Temple Rome arranging shuttles to the airport, like when we arrived at the beginning of the semester?

  • Yes, from March 1 through March 8, all of the transfers operated by our shuttle company from the Residence or private apartments will be arranged and paid by Temple University Rome. Please come to school to sign up for your shuttle to the airport or send an email to gianni@temple.edu with the subject line “March XX - Shuttle” including your shuttle date and the following information.
    • First and last name
    • Date of departure
    • Pickup time (3 a.m., 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. are the only options from the Residence)
    • Flight number
    • Your working telephone number

How can I get my belongings home if I don’t go back to the Rome campus?

  • In case you fly immediately from another country, please let Benedicta Djumpah (b.djumpah@temple.edu) know who will be helping you package your belongings in the Residence or other accommodation.
  • We have already alerted the Bliss Corporation, “Global Mobility Experts” in case you need them. Contact: Lori Hickey at +39 370 346 0217 or at lori.hickey@blisscorp.it or info@blisscorp.it.
  • Their website is www.blisscorp.it.
  • Shipping your belongings home will be at your expense.

I left Rome to travel during Spring Break. Do I have to go back to Rome? Why can’t I just leave from where I am now?

  • This is your personal decision. Your best option may be to go back to Rome where there are resources to help you make the transition home. If you decide to fly home from your current location, you will need to make arrangements for your belongings to go back home (see above).
  • If you decide to leave directly from another country and you have taken the Residence key and swipe card with you, please bring them to the Education Abroad office on Main Campus AFTER the 14-day self-monitoring period. If you are not in Philadelphia, please mail them to the following address:

    Attn. Rosie Carlson
    EDUCATION ABROAD AND OVERSEAS CAMPUSES
    200 Tuttleman Learning Center
    1809 N. 13th St.
    Philadelphia, PA 19122

How can I change my flight?

  • Call the airline and tell them you are looking to change the original return ticket; ask if they can waive the change fee given the raised alert level (see above).

Will I go into quarantine when I arrive in the U.S.?

  • At the moment, we don’t have information about people being quarantined when they arrive in the U.S. We advise students to have in their hand-luggage necessities including clothing, toiletries, and medications for an extended period.
  • While quarantine is uncertain, the CDC is urging that returning students self-monitor for 14 days. To that end, students should avoid Main Campus and, if they are planning to take advantage of Main Campus housing, they should plan to self-monitor at home for 14 days before moving into the assigned Temple residence hall. 
  • If you do not have someplace to stay for the 14-day period, please let Temple Rome know before you leave the country. 
  • Self-monitoring for 14 days means staying at home as much as possible, and avoiding public places. You should limit your interaction with others, including visitors to your residence. 
  • You should also monitor your own health carefully, taking your temperature at least once a day. 
  • Most importantly, if you develop a fever, cough or have difficulty breathing, you should immediately contact health care professionals—either your family physician or local health authorities. 

Where can I live if I decide to move back to Main Campus?

  • Temple University housing is being offered to returning students at no charge. However, there will be a 14-day waiting period until you will be able to move in. (See above information on self-monitoring.)
  • This offer is also being extended to non-Temple students, who should investigate the housing options provided by their home institution as well before making a decision.
  • If you need Temple University housing, please contact Shana Alston, director of housing operations, at shana.alston@temple.edu to notify University Housing and Residential Life so that arrangements can be made. 
  • Whether you are near campus or not, you should self-monitor for at least 14 days after leaving Italy.

Can I leave Italy but spend the rest of my semester in Europe or elsewhere? 

  • Given the heightened level of concern by the Department of State and the CDC, we urge you to promptly make plans to return to the United States. As we have seen in other countries, this situation can evolve rapidly. If circumstances worsen on the ground in Italy or in other countries, it will become more challenging for Americans to leave the country and enter the United States. 
  • For example, in addition to screenings in both Italy and the U.S., you could experience delays at customs or even experience federally mandated quarantines. To the best of our knowledge, such measures are not in place at this time, and your convenience and safety are best served by returning home as soon as possible. 
  • To that end, you should make arrangements to return back to the United States by March 8, so that you can start your classes online on March 9.
  • We expect you to vacate Temple Rome’s dormitories no later than March 8.  If you need to stay longer in Rome due to extenuating circumstances like the unavailability of air travel, please contact temple.rome@temple.edu.
  • If you do not leave Rome and return to the United States, please understand that:
    • While your student’s visa permits in-person study in Rome, we are required by law to report to the Italian government that our students are no longer studying in person with us in Rome. That notification will occur as of March 9. Following March 9, you will be obligated to comply with Italian immigration law and to follow the procedures on your own to ensure compliance.   
    • Temple Rome will no longer be able to coordinate services for you as the majority of services will be non-operational for the foreseeable future.
    • Because the international component of the program has ended, you will no longer be covered by International SOS as of March 9. If you wish to explore continuing that coverage or purchasing international insurance, we can direct you.
  • We know that this is a challenging situation and we appreciate your patience as we do our best to keep you and everyone else safe.

Financial issues

  • Airline travel: Please check with your airline first. Many are waiving change fees. You may also be able to receive reimbursement from your travel insurance, if any. If you incur additional charges that create a financial hardship, please let us know and save your receipts.
  • Main campus housing: University-affiliated housing is being offered to returning students at no charge. However, as noted above, there will be a 14-day waiting period until you are able to move in.
  • Meal plans: You may incur meal plan charges if you are placed in a residence without kitchen facilities. 
  • Rome housing: Temple University will negotiate with the appropriate housing vendors to determine next steps. If you privately leased housing in Rome, you should seek a refund from your lessor. In any case, you should also check for coverage from your travel insurance, if any.
  • Financial emergency: Students experiencing financial hardship because of the situation should reach out to Temple Rome staff. 

Academic issues

How will the online courses work?

  • Your instructors will communicate with you about changes to syllabi and the process for submitting/completing course requirements digitally.
  • Some adjustments to class meeting times will be made to account for the time difference. Check individual course Canvas sites for updated content, assignments and notices.
  • For questions, consult the chief academic officer in Rome, Mary Conran: mary.conran@temple.edu or 1-039-320-2808.

What structure will my online class have?

  • This will vary from course to course. Please wait for email instructions from your professors this week. Information will be posted in Canvas and will be rolled out by individual professors. 
  • Some courses will use online live formats, others may use captured video and readings. 
  • Check Canvas for updates. 
  • Recognize that your faculty are working to get this system up and running for your class and will be ready for the week of March 9.

How will I continue my internship course?

  • All internships will be handled on a case-by-case basis. You may be asked to work remotely for your supervisor, or we may accommodate you with other academic material. 
  • Please reach out to Dr. Caen at barbara.caen@temple.edu with questions.

What about art courses?

  • We will make sure that you will be getting credit for your art courses as well. Art faculty are aware of the situation and will have a “plan B” in store for these classes. Certainly, the studio courses pose a challenge, but options are being developed. 
  • Please continue to check Canvas.

Future issues

Does Temple Rome plan to host summer and fall terms?