Bringing Bobcats back, June 26, 2020

Fall planning highlights, Alden opens and virtual Nelsonville Music Festival

It’s happening. Bobcats will be returning to campus this fall. Of course, next semester – as this whole year has been – will be new territory for all of us. This iteration of “Keeping Bobcats Informed” will contain regular updates related to fall opening, safety measures, and more as the semester approaches.

If your families are interested in staying in the loop, encourage them to opt-in to receive the OHIO Parents & Families monthly newsletter from the Dean of Students.

UNIVERSITY UPDATES

Fall planning highlights

Increase large venue usage

Some classes and workshops will be moved to larger spaces to ensure face-to-face delivery of experiential learning courses and first-year seminars. We know you value hands-on learning, so we are prioritizing resuming research and creative activity by safely reopening laboratories, studios, clinical instruction and creative workshops.

Academic calendar changes

Classes will begin Aug. 24 and all in-person instruction will conclude by Nov. 20. Instruction and final exams will be remote after Nov. 20, with the residence halls officially closing for the fall semester on Nov. 22 at noon. The removal of Fall Break mentioned in previous messaging is in reference to Reading Day. 

Combine in-person and virtual instruction

Throughout the semester, and with consideration for physical distancing regulations and class sizes, instruction will be varied between in-person and virtual options to ensure classroom occupancy is kept low. 

Lengthened move-in schedule

The move-in schedule will be extended to allow for physical distancing strategies and there will be a centralized check-in on each green to minimize exposure during arrival. The University is designing a plan to reduce population density in residence halls as well.

Hygiene considerations

The use of appropriate face coverings, physical distancing, hand hygiene, control of the flow of traffic into and around buildings, continued employee teleworking when possible, symptoms tracking, testing and contact tracing will all be implemented.  

Alternative dining options

Dining options will include carryout and to-go options initially with strategic introduction of dine-in options, as determined appropriate. The last meal served on the dining plan will be lunch on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Click here for more about Fall 2020 planning.

SHARE YOUR VOICE

Inform Fall Planning

OHIO faculty, staff and students are hard at work planning for fall semester. Do you have ideas or concerns? Connect with studentsenate@ohio.edu so your voice is represented in these conversations.

WELLNESS

Take care of yourself

Check in with the free app WellTrack for help managing your anxiety and to do a self-check to monitor your mood.

Research has shown that time spent outdoors provides significant benefits to one's mental health. Use this guide to help you make it happen.

Do you feel you need additional one-on-one mental health support? Schedule an appointment with a telehealth provider.

Staying active is important, but more challenging than ever. Generate some endorphins at an OHIO virtual fitness class.

Survivor Advocacy is not taking a summer break. Access teleadvocacy at survivor.advocacy@ohio.edu.

VIDEO INTERVIEW 

Ask the Experts: Coronavirus

Drs. Winfried Just, Mathematics, Jennifer Hines, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and E. Glenn Dutcher, Economics discuss the coronavirus disease, COVID-19 and the economic and human impacts of this global pandemic.

STAY INVOLVED WITH OHIO

Virtual Nelsonville Music Festival

OHIO's School of Media Arts & Studies is partnering with the Nelsonville Music Festival to bring the annual festival to audiences through a virtual collaboration.

Job searching in an uncertain economy

Join the CLDC and a panel of employers Friday, June 26 to learn more about strategies for job searching during a global pandemic and an uncertain job market and economy.

Alden Library reopening

Alden Library began its first phase of reopening on June 22. The library will begin operating through online reservations of materials and no-contact pickup.

OHIO MEMORIES

Share your story

The Ohio University Archives is collecting stories from students who want to help document this historical moment and how OHIO students experienced it. Submit your story here.

FUTURE BOBCATS

Connect prospective students

Do you have friends or family interested in Ohio University? Direct them to Bobcat Chats, a series of YouTube livestream Q&A events featuring students, faculty and alumni.