We have added this page for COVID-19 updates, including a form for graduate students to submit COVID-19-related concerns that we will bring to the GSAS administration. So far, we have received many concerns regarding housing, international travel, childcare, research and library access, and the timing of exams and milestones. We will continue to voice student concerns as we receive them.
In light of recent developments, ASGC has also significantly increased its support of The Food Pantry at Columbia.
Plenary
ASGC will continue to meet with the GSAS administration and university offices remotely, and will conduct plenary meetings via Zoom. The next plenary is on March 31 at 6:30 PM.
Events
The ASGC events co-chairs are invested in finding new ways to bring reimagined social and cultural activities to all of you during these difficult and isolating times. To fill this void, first we are starting a long-distance book group where Booker Prize winning novel Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, will be shipped directly from Book Culture to your address. We then hope that you will join us through Zoom for book club meetings to chat about the book.
Second, we are arranging for Hex & Co. to provide virtual Dungeons & Dragons campaigns – the perfect opportunity to socialize and cast spells. We will set up virtual tables (of all player experience levels) for four week long evening campaigns. We hope that you will join us for any or all of these virtual events.
Travel Grants
Students who were awarded an ASGC Travel Grant for a conference that was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions can choose whether to use their grant to cover non-refundable cancellation costs or defer their award for a future conference.
If a student decides to get reimbursed for the cancellation costs, they should follow the Travel Grant Reimbursement Procedure and provide back-up documentation for the trip's cancellation, including the reason for the cancellation. If a student successfully received a cash credit for trip expenses on his or her personal credit card after having been reimbursed by ASGC, the student will be expected to reimburse ASGC for the amount refunded. For credits from airlines, ASGC will not immediately seek reimbursement. The student is encouraged to use that credit toward another conference-related flight, either before the end of FY20 or during FY21, within the one-year window provided. If the credit is ultimately used for personal travel, we expect the student to reimburse ASGC during the fiscal year it is used.
If a student decides not to use their Travel Grant for any future conference, they should let the ASGC Finance Chair know, so the funds can be relocated.
The April 24 application deadline remains in effect, knowing that if travel and meeting restrictions continue, the above options will remain in effect. Please contact the ASGC Finance Chair if you have any questions about the Travel Awards.
Resources for Students Around Young Children
If you are around young children—either as a parent, brother, sister, relative, or caregiver—we wanted to provide you with some resources and guidelines on how to minimize the stress and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The following advice was provided to a member of the University Senate by Dr. Tovah Klein, Director of the Barnard Toddler Center and an expert on child psychology. She is also scheduled to appear on CNN on Monday around 11am-12pm to discuss these issues.
If you are around young children—either as a parent, brother, sister, relative, or caregiver—we wanted to provide you with some resources and guidelines on how to minimize the stress and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The following advice was provided to a member of the University Senate by Dr. Tovah Klein, Director of the Barnard Toddler Center and an expert on child psychology. She is also scheduled to appear on CNN on Monday around 11am-12pm to discuss these issues.
Advice:
1. Provide reassurance. When talking to children, you want use words that are simple, but attempt to explain what is happening to demystify it. However, you should also use the words they are hearing: "You may have heard people talking about Coronavirus or COVID-19. These are big words but they really mean cold, like when you are sick and your throat hurts." Then explain that children are not hurt by Coronavirus, and usually mommies and daddies are okay too. You are all trying to stay healthy because it is not fun to be sick. "But older people or very little babies can get really sick. So we are ALL trying to stay healthy so that other people don't get sick." Explain any changes that the child might be going through, e.g., increased hand washing, not going to daycare, etc. "We are working so hard not to let these germs hurt anyone! So that is why schools, libraries, stores (and anything else that is relevant to them) are closed. Everyone is working to keep people healthy." Also name what they are seeing, e.g., people with masks, gloves on their hands. "This is all to keep healthy and safe."
2. Keep routines. It is this structure that helps children feel safe. Regular bedtime, meals, nap, etc. A daily schedule is a must that includes physical activity. Ideally, children should get outside every day, preferably at a similar time each day. However, this may need to be conducted indoors depending on your individual situation; the important point is to make sure that children have an opportunity to run around, climb, and move their bodies.
Resources:
National Association of School Psychologists, Talking to Children About COVID-19
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers during Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Scholastic Learn at Home: Free Resources for School Closures
Dr. Klein's Website: How Toddlers Thrive
Volunteering and Donation Opportunities:
- Tutor K-12 subjects for the children of CUMC doctors and medical staff on surge support. You can choose a subject you wish to tutor in. Flexible scheduling. All conducted via Zoom.
- First Step: Click Here to register your interest and someone will be in touch shortly
- Timeline: ASAP (no deadline)
- Make check-in calls to older adults in the New York area. Facilitated by DOROT, an organization supporting homebound and older adults.
- First Step: Click Here to register for the orientation
- Timeline: Register for virtual orientation by Wednesday, April 1
- Join a COVID student volunteer corps created at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health (CSSC). GSAS students can join in on a variety of volunteering opportunities being organized at Mailman.
- First Step: Click Here to register your interest and someone will be in touch shortly
- Timeline: ASAP (no deadline)
- Engage with COVID-related research through the Columbia Researchers Against COVID-19 (CRAC).
- First Step: Click Here to register your interest and someone will be in touch shortly
- Timeline: ASAP
- Register to volunteer or donate with greater NYC organizations. There are lots of other options, so browse the below and see what might suit you best.
- First Step: Click Here to view a thorough list of volunteering and donation opportunities curated by Columbia Business School
- Timeline: ASAP (no deadline)
