While many private universities and colleges in the New York area have decided to suspend classes or move instruction online amid concerns over preventing the spread of COVID-19, CUNY public schools are still directing their students and faculty to come to class.

As of Tuesday morning, CUNY’s website says Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez is “actively preparing” for a range of scenarios, and that there are currently no coronavirus cases involving anyone in the CUNY community. (When reached for comment, a CUNY spokesperson directed Gothamist to the latest online update.)

Also this morning, Brooklyn College emphatically denied a rumor that a Brooklyn College library employee has tested positive for Coronavirus.

Many CUNY students and faculty have expressed their shock and anger at CUNY for deciding to keep classes in session. On Twitter, there is mounting criticism of CUNY’s decision to stay open.

An email sent to Queens College students and faculty last Friday from Interim President William Tramontano acknowledged that a few individuals from the college community “may have been exposed to the virus, including one faculty member who is not teaching at the college this semester.” He went on to say those individuals have been self-quarantined.

Faculty at various CUNY schools have received emails clarifying that they cannot independently decide to move classes online unless directed to by the Office of the Provost, citing concerns that some students may not have access to technology or the internet off-campus.

Joseph Cohen, an Associate Professor of Sociology at Queens College, says he understands that it would be a huge undertaking, but he believes it’s a “total mistake” for the school to not move to virtual teaching right away.

“CUNY has a quarter of a million students and is responsible for a considerable amount of subway travel and congregation and transmission opportunities,” Cohen said. “All the private schools are closed, and if you go on Twitter the kids are saying, well, what? It’s only for the rich kids? How come we’re not being protected too?”

A Change.org petition asking CUNY to close or move classes online has garnered over 17,000 signatures as of Tuesday morning.

Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state is recalling CUNY and SUNY students who are studying abroad in five countries: China, Italy, Japan, Iran, and South Korea. Some students have already returned to the United States and are self-quarantining.

Listen to reporter Shumita Basu's story for WNYC: