University of Mary among schools closing campuses in Italy

BISMARCK, N.D. – The University of Mary in Bismarck is joining other American universities with ties to Italy that have temporarily closed campuses there amid the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The school said Wednesday it is closing its Rome campus for now.

The U.S. government has escalated travel advisories to Italy in recent weeks and is now advising against nonessential travel.

Italy is the epicenter of Europe’s coronavirus outbreak. More than 100 people have died and more than 3,000 have been infected with the COVID-19 virus.

The university had 25 students in Rome this semester, seven of whom returned home last week when the school gave them the option to come back or stay in light of the outbreak, the Bismarck Tribune reported.

“It’s a challenging situation,” said David Tamisiea, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. “The coronavirus is something that has come on the scene pretty suddenly.”

Other North Dakota colleges also are weighing options on how to handle risks for their students and staff overseas.

North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott sent an email to schools this week with a “strong recommendation” that “all campus-sanctioned overseas travel be suspended until further notice.”