OHIO extends suspension of in-person instruction through end of Spring semester

OHIO President M. Duane Nellis shared the following message with the Ohio University community

Dear Ohio University Community:

We have all watched with concern as the COVID-19 pandemic has now made a significant impact to our own state and nation. We are charting new territory as we respond to the rapidly evolving public health crisis, and our highest priority must be the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and communities.

On March 10, we made the decision to move to online instruction through March 30. In reliance on guidance from national, state, and local health authorities about how to slow the spread of the virus, we do not believe a return to our campuses for face-to-face instruction by March 30 is advisable. In consultation with academic leadership, I have made the decision today to move to remote and online instruction through the end of spring semester for all our campuses and locations. Classes will resume online following our extended spring break on Monday, March 23. Our collective goal is to continue to provide the highest quality educational experience possible under extraordinary circumstances.

As previously announced, students who live in residence halls on the Athens campus are not to return to campus after spring break, which has now been extended through Sunday, March 22. You will receive a message shortly from the Division of Student Affairs with information about scheduling time to move out.

We understand it may not be possible for some students to leave residence halls for the remainder of the semester. Any student who needs to live in a residence hall (including student staff) must be preapproved by Housing & Residence Life. Students can apply via www.ohio.edu/myhousing, and applications will be reviewed within 24 hours.

For those students who reside on the Athens campus and/or have a dining plan, a process for prorated reimbursements is being developed and more communications will be forthcoming.

I realize you likely have questions, both about these decisions and about COVID-19 in general. We have continued to add to our online FAQ, www.ohio.edu/coronavirus, to address frequently asked questions and ask that you email coronavirus@ohio.edu if you have additional questions that are not addressed online.

As this is an evolving situation, we will continue to provide updates to the University community.

The only constant of this global health crisis has been unpredictability, and I am grateful to all of you for your responsiveness, your flexibility, and your patience. So many members of our community have been working tirelessly to prepare and respond to this pandemic, including all of our faculty who are working actively to shift the modality of courses usually delivered face-to-face. I am humbled by your extraordinary effort and ongoing dedication to the well-being of our communities and to our critical missions of teaching and research as we face this evolving, new reality.

With sincere thanks,

M. Duane Nellis,

President

Be safe, Bobcats!

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home and do not travel or go to work or school when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and then throw the tissue in the trash. Then wash your hands with soap and water.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

More information can be found at in our online FAQ.