The president of the State University of New York in Oneonta resigned after a spike in COVID-19 cases has been recorded among the students since the start of the semester. 712 students have tested positive for COVID-19 since the university opened its residence halls on August 17 reported CNN.
State University of New York chancellor Jim Malatras, the new interim president, said that Dr Barbara Jean Morris had “transitioned from her position as president.” Malatras, in a statement, added that Morris wanted to pursue ‘other opportunities’. CNN confirmed, quoting a spokesperson, that Morris has resigned.
The rising COVID-19 cases at SUNY Oneonta has prompted the university to switch entirely to online class format from in-person in late August. The number of cases recorded at the Oneonta is more than half of the total number of cases registered across the entire SUNY system as there have been 1,167 COVID-19 infections reported from 61 campuses, CNN reported.
The rise in cases of coronavirus of SUNY Oneonta and the president’s resignation comes after the university decided not to tests students for COVID-19 or quarantine them after their arrival in August.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on August 7 had allowed the reopening of universities and bring students into classrooms to start the new year of school.
Around 6,700 students are registered in the SUNY Oneonta, according to the university’s website.