The Coordinator of Center for Volunteerism and Social Action Amber Schneider has confirmed that both ASB trips to Twin Falls, Idaho, and Cottonwood, Idaho, are canceled.
According to an email from Dean of Students Blaine Eckles, all university-sponsored international travel over spring break has been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. Eckles said UI is recommending students do not travel internationally. And if students still do choose to travel to a level 2 or 3 CDC-identified country, UI expects those students to self-isolate for 14 days once they return.
These specific UI sponsored trips have both internationally and nationally been canceled:
Idaho Criminology Abroad
The Idaho Criminology Abroad trip was canceled Wednesday evening after the announcement of the United States travel embargo to Europe, Brian Wolf, chair and associate professor for
Department of Sociology and Anthropology said.
Ad Team
The University of Idaho’s Advertising Competition Team has cancelled their trip to New York City due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Tracy Simmons, Ad Team adviser, said.
Simmons said the choice to cancel was made by her and the six students who were attending the trip. Many of the agencies Ad Team had planned to attend while in New York City are not accepting visitors.
The six students who were planning to attend the trip paid their own way to New York City and Simmons has been doing what she can to help them get refunds. While lodging for the trip was raised by fundraising from the students, the money — that has been refunded — will go to next year’s Ad Team.
Ad Team, which competes in the American Advertising Federation’s National Student Advertising Competition, is planning to compete in Portland. But Simmons said they are waiting to hear more information as some judges will only attend virtually due to travel restrictions.
Model UN
The Martin Institute’s Model United Nations trip to New York City is canceled, Bill Smith, director of Martin Institute and Program in International Studies, said.
The United Nations Headquarters will be closed to the public until March 31, according to the United Nations Headquarters’ website. The Model UN trip was planned to be in the United Nations Headquarters on March 30 and 31, Smith said.
More than 50% of the attendees of the Model UN conference are from outside the U.S. and around 35% come from countries that are subject to travel bans.
Alternative Service Break
Alternative Service Break trips are also traveling as planned, Amber Schneider, coordinator for the Center for Volunteerism and Social Action said. Students will be traveling for service trips to Twin Falls, Idaho and Cottonwood, Idaho. There is currently one confirmed case of coronavirus in Idaho.
Schneider said the Center for Volunteerism and Social Action has been recommended to take precautions. While the trip is not currently cancelled Schneider said there may be adjustments depending on how the situation develops.
“Student safety is our number one concern and priority so if something changes with the coronavirus cases in Idaho, I will not hesitate to pull participants from a location in the state.” Schneider said.
Alex Brizee and Brianna Finnegan can be reached at [email protected]