Keeping Bobcats informed, March 19, 2020

Dear Students,

Since 1895 when our first international student graduated from Ohio University, our Bobcat family has been a global community. Today, we find ourselves more global than ever – separated by distance, but united in our commitment to each other, to our dreams and goals, and to the learning that will forever bind us to one another and to Ohio University.

As each of us puts the finishing touches on plans to transition to the Monday, March 23, start of remote and online learning, please know that our faculty and staff, too, are united – in our commitment to your health and safety and to your success as a student.

Here is today's update:

STUDENT REIMBURSEMENTS

Prorated Housing, Cap and Gown Refunds

Last week, Ohio University announced on its coronavirus website that students who reside on the Athens Campus and/or having a dining plan would be provided a prorated reimbursement. Students can expect to hear more about this process by March 31. Students graduating this spring will also be refunded cap and gown fees and provided information about reordering those items when a new date for Commencement ceremonies is determined.

WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE

Class Withdrawal Deadline Extended

In an effort to support students and allow for the transition to a remote learning environment, the University has extended the deadline to withdraw from (drop) an individual class from your spring semester schedule to Friday, April 24, 2020. We recommend students discuss their status in the class with the instructor prior to withdrawing from the class. Please note that the course will remain on the student’s academic record with a withdrawn grade and no fee adjustment.

ONLINE ADVISING

Academic Advising Update

Your academic advisors are committed to assisting you, both through the remainder of spring semester and as you prepare to register for fall semester, beginning Monday, April 6. Advisors in OHIO’s Allen Student Advising Center will continue to provide additional academic advising for Athens Campus students via Microsoft Teams.

DIVERSITY UPDATE

An Update from the Division for Diversity and Inclusion

Staff from OHIO’s LGBT Center, Multicultural Center, Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention (OMSAR), and Women’s Center remain available to assist students by phone or email during normal business hours. Plans are underway to transition some programming to a virtual environment, and student engagement opportunities are being developed.

PROCTORED EXAMS

New Technology Provided for Proctored Exams at No Cost

Ohio University is offering automated online proctoring services, provided by Proctortrack (Verificient), at no cost to OHIO students for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. Your instructors will contact you if they have chosen to use this online proctoring tool for your course.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

A Message Regarding Large Gatherings and "Fests"

Students who are remaining in Athens should be aware that the City of Athens, Athens City-County Health Department, and Ohio University are committed to upholding the directive from the State Health Director which prohibits public assemblies of 50 or more people. Consequences for engagement in “Fest” activities or any other large gatherings will be severe, and the Office of the Dean of Students strongly advises students to practice safe social distancing. "Any attempt to assemble [in violation of the order] will result in immediate action by law enforcement."

Take Care, Bobcats

Please continue to carefully monitor your Ohio University email, 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.

The progress we have made together over the past week is remarkable and reminds us of what makes our Bobcat community and the OHIO experience so special. The work we are doing today and will continue in the coming weeks speaks to your and our commitment to the words enshrined on our beloved Class Gateway: "Schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."

Please continue to take care of yourselves, take care of each other, and stay committed to your dreams.