Breaking: International Students Advised to Leave U.S.

Shortly after the Academy’s March 11 announcement of an extension to spring break, the Dean of Students Office began to encourage international students currently in the United States to return to their countries of residence. 

Dean of Students Brooks Moriarty said that, in light of mounting concerns about long-term health and safety for the Exeter Community, all students should remain with their families. This is the recommendation the Dean of Students office has made to individual families, though there have been no universal communications to international students and families on behalf of the office.

“We are recommending that students in the care of parents stay in the care of [their] parents, including international students who may be in the U.S. or other countries but who planned to return on March 22. In uncertain times like this, being with family is the best thing to do,” he said. “Given the swiftly changing situation in the U.S., and the fact that online instruction will be available all spring term, I have been recommending that students return home to be with family.”

Principal William Rawson announced through an all-school email the delayed opening of spring term for the Academy’s 1100 students. All classes will be delivered online starting Thursday, March 26, Rawson said, through at least April 10. Students are expected to return to campus on April 14.

Much uncertainty remains about on-campus instruction next term, but faculty are already gearing up to prepare for online instruction. Asked about whether regular classes will proceed as planned on April 14, Moriarty noted, “I can’t say. We can all hope.” 

However, Rawson clarified that, as of now, the Academy does not intend to push back the April 14 return date further. “It is not correct that we intend to cancel the entirety of Spring Term on campus—we have not made any such decision, and want very much for students to be able to return safely and hope that will occur on the schedule just announced, or as soon thereafter as possible,” he said.

Online instruction, on the other hand, will be available all spring for any student who cannot return or chooses not to return, Rawson said. 

However, Rawson did note that the state of coronavirus remains unknown, and therefore the Academy’s response to it must remain fluid. 

“Our communications rightly recognize the seriousness of the situation and that circumstances might change,” he said.  “We will not bring students back to campus if we cannot do so safely. We also want to do our part as a school community to avoid contributing to the spread of the virus.”

“The safety, health, and well-being of the students guided our thinking,” Moriarty added.

In addition to encouraging international students to return home, the administration and Campus Safety coordinated with parents to make the transition as smooth as possible. “The parents… arranged for some of us to pick up our stuff from the dorm and pack the rest,” prep Jiatong Wang said. Wang was part of a group who intended to stay in Exeter for spring break; after Rawson’s announcement, Wang opted to go home and will take part in online learning all spring.

Moriarty noted that international student schedules would be accommodated by the e-learning plan. “The schedule and expectations for online instruction take international time zones into account and create maximum flexibility regarding ‘attendance.’ Classes will... operate in multiple modes, both synchronous and asynchronous, and teachers will know that not every student will be able to participate in the same way at the same time,” Moriarty said. “As travel restrictions tighten, we do not want any student stranded anywhere across the globe.”

“We acknowledge that we cannot duplicate the classroom experience with this plan, but departments began to prepare for this contingency during winter term,” Rawson said in his original announcement. 

This sentiment was communicated to a number of parents, including Lou Lan P’09, P’15, P’19. Lou is the administrator of a Chinese parents’ Wechat group and a member of the Present Parent Committee. The Chinese parents’ group has 365 members, both current and former parents, all of whom received screen captures of Moriarty’s response to Lou’s email, “Parents’ Concerns.” In her original email, Lou raised issues relating to visas, time differences, internet connectivity to Moriarty. 

One of Lou’s concerns was the “five-month rule” for F-1 Visas. “The five month rule refers to the termination of a student’s record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) based on the student being away from classes or not in status for five months,” the Department of Homeland Security states.

“This rule applies to… [students] who have spent more than five months outside of the United States during an absence from school, excluding those participating in authorized study abroad programs,” the Department of Homeland Security specifies. It is unclear at this time if school closures due to COVID-19 will trigger the five-month rule. If the rule is triggered, students will have to apply for another F-1 Visa at their local American embassy or consulate before next fall.

Moriarty noted that the five-month rule issues will be handled by the Academy. “We are on top of this and taking care of students,” he said. “[International Student Coordinator] Jennifer Smith has the information she needs and is preparing the school’s documentation.”

In accordance with Moriarty’s advice, international students, particularly those from China, have coordinated to depart from the United States in the coming weeks. 

Lower Emma Chen elaborated on her decision-making process during this difficult time. “I expected the Academy’s decision in delaying the beginning of the new [term]. I think this was the only thing they could have done,” she said. “I think most likely school won’t start until next fall. The situation is worsening in the U.S. while it’s starting to be under control in China. Plus, my family’s there.”

Lou echoed this sentiment and highlighted the Academy’s flexibility. “In comparison to the Andover administration, who formulate their responses as time goes by, Exeter is much more prudent and transparent,” she said. 

Prep Tony Cai went through a similar process while deciding to return home. “I had a long discussion with my parents, and we felt like staying in China will be the best solution temporarily both in terms of safety and convenience,” he said. “The virus outbreak is a huge loss. I won’t be able to meet with my friends.”

Unfortunately, some students face more uncertainty regarding their next steps. Lower Russell Tam, currently in Singapore with his grandparents, explained his dilemma about returning to Exeter. “We have no idea whether or not we should come back because if we decide to come back early, self-quarantine and the school ends up being postponed even longer, plans would be messed up,” he said.

Tam also expressed his worries about falling ill to the virus. “Near Exeter, I have no way to know whether I will be promised treatment... especially because I am not from the U.S.,” he said. 

Tam further advocated for a more comprehensive and timely notice. “The Academy could give students more email updates on how the planning is going and a date which they expect the plan to be finalized, so travel plans could be adjusted accordingly and quickly,” he said. “This is a difficult situation for us and the school and we can only wait for further confirmation before making any plans.”

Though there are challenges ahead, Moriarty encouraged compassion and unity. “[These] are very challenging times and we all need to be our best selves in supporting each other and being in community, even if we are not physically together,” he said. “That will take open hearts and minds, and I know we are up to the task.”

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