King’s has officially announced that the college will continue remote teaching and operations through the end of the spring semester.

On Friday, the student body was alerted via email from Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications Megan Dishman. Dishman cited Governor Cuomo’s regulations on public gatherings, extensions of high-risk travel advisories and Mayor de Blasio’s call for social distancing as a few reasons that led the college to make the decision.

Some student workers will now not have paid work for the rest of the semester. International student Sofia Arrieta had two jobs prior to the announcement, working at the Student Union and babysitting for a family. The family she babysits for left the city due to COVID-19 and she will not have her regularly scheduled hours at King’s this semester due to the campus not being open.

Arrieta cannot return home to El Salvador because of her country's travel ban. Arrieta is now staying in Arizona with her boyfriend’s family.

“It’s definitely really unexpected. I am feeling really sad because I can’t go home and see my family. I, at least, have people who care about me and welcome me into their home,” Arrieta said.

Security Supervisor at King’s Thomas Allen said he is looking for other jobs while campus facilities are closed.

“I still have to pay my bills,” Allen said. “But what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. This doesn’t stop me from living my life. “

Senior student Jillian Cheney is the EST Magazine Editor and the Social Media Associate for the House of Susan B. Anthony. She is not a student worker but she is still figuring out what this circumstance might mean for her and the magazine, which is already in the works.

“The first week of online classes felt very low stakes. It almost felt like Spring Break. Since it's becoming full time, I definitely need to figure out a way to keep myself structured, since that's the new norm,” Cheney said. The magazine will now be released online in early May. She said students can receive the print version when they return to school in the fall.

I I Photo courtesy of The King’s College

In the announcement sent on Friday, Dishman also said that campus housing will remain open for those who wish to stay, informing students that Student Life will send an email for early move-out directions.

“We encourage you to communicate with your parents and families regarding whether to remain in NYC or return home,” Dishman said in the school-wide email.

In-person campus activities will either be canceled or now held remotely. However, meetings with staff and faculty can be held virtually.

The administration has yet to make a decision on whether or not to cancel commencement.

“We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in New York over the next month before doing so,” Dishman said.

Remote Teaching for King’s: Who Is Affected?