Keeping Bobcats informed, March 17, 2020

The following message was shared with students on March 17, 2020.

Dear Students,

As communities across the nation grow quieter as we work together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment to supporting and serving you has only grown stronger.

As partners in your academic journey, we are continuing to address the many questions and concerns you have voiced in the wake of significant changes we are making to play our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the health and safety of our community. Our goal is to ensure that you have the same quality of academic and co-curricular support that has been a hallmark of an Ohio University education for more than two centuries.

This week, faculty and staff continue transitioning courses and academic support services to remote and online learning modalities for the launch of the remainder of spring semester on Monday, March 23. We know many of you are preparing for these new learning environments as well. We’ve included below some resources we have made available to you as well as a few important updates about internships and practicums, accessibility resources and an important message from our faculty leaders.

Here is today’s update:

KEEP LEARNING

Online Learning Resources

Please review and bookmark for future reference OHIO’s “Keep Learning” webpage: https://www.ohio.edu/university-continuity/keep-learning. The content on this webpage will continue to evolve as we provide you as much guidance, information and resources as we can on steps you can take to successfully continue your studies. It includes instructions for preparing for your online courses, information on technology you will be using in the coming days, and a growing list of companies that are providing free or discounted Internet and mobile phone services during this time.

TRANSITION TO REMOTE AND ONLINE LEARNING

A Message from Academic Leadership

Earlier today, Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs and Faculty Senate Chair Robin Muhammad released a joint statement highlighting important information for all students regarding Ohio University operations and the transition to remote and online learning. 

INTERNSHIPS AND PRACTICUMS

Internships and Experiential Learning Information

We know that hundreds of you are participating in an array of experiential learning opportunities that include internships and practicums. Our faculty and staff are here to help you and have provided the following information for those who are currently participating in internships and practicums:

If you are currently placed at an internship, please follow the protocols of your organization and location and adhere to any self-quarantine directives.

If you are away from an internship placement on spring break, please contact your internship supervisor for direction on how to proceed. Some organizations may offer interns remote work options that will allow you to complete your internship.

After receiving instructions from the organization you are working with, please contact your Ohio University point of contact to inform them of the status of your host organization and for additional information.

The Patton College of Education has provided instructions regarding clinical practice for students majoring in teacher education. Click here to review that information.

VIRTUAL LEARNING ASSISTANCE

Student Accessibility Services

The staff at the Office for University Accessibility is available to help students with disabilities during the University’s transition to a virtual learning environment. Students registered with Student Accessibility Services are asked to direct their questions or concerns to their assigned accessibility coordinator. Students who are not yet registered or who have general questions should email disabilities@ohio.edu or call 740-593-2620 during the office’s normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

REMOTE LIBRARY SERVICES

Ohio University Libraries Operations

For the health and safety of staff and patrons, Ohio University Libraries’ facilities on the Athens and regional campuses will close to the public by 5 p.m. Friday, March 20. 

Ohio University will continue to provide outdoor WiFi coverage and remote library services while in-person instruction at our campuses remains suspended. Libraries staff will continue to offer information services and support the electronic delivery of critical content for teaching, learning, and research via chat, email, and telephone. Please see the Remote Library Services, Libraries FAQ, and relevant regional libraries pages for more information.

Alden Library’s second floor and regional campuses libraries will remain open until Friday, March 20, to give local students and faculty an opportunity to access technology, WiFi and print collections as they prepare to transition to remote learning and teaching.

Stay Informed

We will share more information you with in the coming days as we continue to finalize plans regarding student employment and additional resources. Please continue to carefully monitor your Ohio University email for updates and important information, your college/campus/department websites for new information, and the University’s https://www.ohio.edu/coronavirus website. If you have additional questions that are not answered on the University’s coronavirus website or its FAQ section, please email them to coronavirus@ohio.edu or direct message them to Ohio University’s Facebook account or Twitter account.

In the meantime, take care of yourselves, take care of each other, and remember that you are a unique part of a community built to support you and your dreams – today, tomorrow and always.