PROVIDENCE - Several colleges and universities are suspending study abroad programs in Europe in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus there.

Brown University is suspending its study abroad program in Bologna, Italy.

Last Friday, Brown spokesman Brian Clark received guidance from the CDC and the U.S. State Department that the health risk had been raised to a higher level.

About 45 students are enrolled in the program, based at the University of Bologna. Only six of those students are from Brown, Clark said.

READ: What you need to know about coronavirus

"By the end of the week, all of our students will have left," Clark said. "They have multiple options. They can continue in the program remotely. Some may choose to withdraw from the program."

"They are not, however, returning to campus," he said.

Salve Regina University has canceled a short-term study abroad program that was scheduled to take place in Austria during spring break. Students will be able to take the course despite the cancellation, the university said.

Salve also strongly recommended that all six of its students studying in Italy return home as soon as possible. They are studying in Rome and Florence.

Salve said it is working with its partners abroad to ensure that students are able to complete the program remotely.

The Rhode Island School of Design has also suspended the remainder of its study abroad program in Rome last week ahead of the heightened travel advisory posted by the CDC..

"Our students didn’t travel to any of the areas in which the Covid-19 was reported and none have exhibited any symptoms," RISD said.

The college has asked students to follow guidelines for "social distancing" a CDC-recommended behavior for persons who have traveled to affected areas but who are asymptomatic.

This includes limiting public activities and not attending public events.

READ MORE: URI bringing students studying in Italy home

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