SARS could move PiB to Princeton

The Princeton in Beijing summer language program might be cancelled and relocated to campus because of the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Asia, program coordinators said yesterday. A final decision will not be made until May 15.

PiB coordinator Melody Lai said there is great concern over travel to Beijing because of the spread of SARS. Lai cited the recent removal of the Beijing mayor and a health official — who were dismissed for significantly underreporting the number of SARS cases — as causes for concern.

"Our understanding before was that there wasn't that many cases in Beijing," Lai said. "However, now we know how widespread the problem is in Beijing."

So far, President Tilghman has issued only a temporary moratorium on University-sponsored travel to areas where SARS has been reported.

At the same time, the Near Eastern Studies Department is withholding funding for travel to countries on the State Department's advisory list.

The change to PiB will affect the 120 Princeton and non-Princeton students who had signed up for the summer program, Lai said. In the history of the program, there has been only one near cancellation, and then the trip occurred as originally planned.

"Last year, with the spy plane incident, residents were throwing rocks at the U.S. embassy," Lai said. "However, by the time the program took place, it was safe to travel."

Students and parents have been understanding of the possible cancellation, according to PiB. Moreover, if the program is cancelled in Beijing, it will be held on campus, Lai said, though no definitive plans have been set.

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Lai said students will still be able to earn eight credits and go through an intensive course schedule, as they would have overseas. The program here would further entail extracurricular activities, guest speakers and occasional movies. Even though the students may not actually be in Beijing, the activities would be tailored to transfer a sense of China, she said.

"We will try to show them what Chinese culture is like to the best of our ability," Lai said.

SARS is not the only international issue that may affect students' travel plans this summer. The war on terrorism has also heightened concern over students' safety abroad.

The Near Eastern Studies Department will not provide funding to students if they are traveling to nations listed on the state advisory list, said NES Program Manager Kathleen Fischer.

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The symptoms of SARS include a fever, chills and head and body aches, as well as a dry cough. SARS has an incubation period of 2-7 days. The illness has been spreading rapidly since the first outbreak was reported on Feb. 26 in Hanoi, Vietnam, and can be deadly.