Based on the governor’s statewide address on Nov. 11 and the growing number of cases of COVID-19 among members of the campus community and within the county, The University of Akron will move to remote instruction effective Monday, Nov. 16. This includes lecture courses currently offered in face-to-face and hybrid formats, lab courses, and in-person exams and tests.
Students in field placements, clinicals and student teaching assignments should continue to follow site-specific protocols.
Critical research continues with reduced capacity in labs already in effect.
These changes include the Wayne and Medina campuses.
“We have put the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff at the forefront of every decision and, given the circumstances and the governor’s message, we believe it is in the best interest of our campus community to move to fully online instruction sooner than originally planned,” says Dr. John Wiencek, executive vice president and provost.
The operational changes that began on Monday, Nov. 9, remain in effect. They include:
- In-person meetings, except for essential business, move from maximum of 10 to virtual/remote options.
- Student services and support move to more virtual or individual appointments.
- Recreation on campus is permitted with reduced group activities.
- No external rentals, events or activities, including those previously scheduled.
- No public performances.
- Limited University athletic events meeting NCAA, MAC and campus protocols with minimal spectators.
- No exception requests accepted for events.
- Travel for academic necessity for field or other mandated curricular activities permissible within 15 minutes from campus. Individual travel only. No carpooling.
- Public transportation may be adjusted to reduce density.
What stays the same:
- Campus remains open.
- Residence halls are open with guests being limited to one at a time and restricted to UA resident students only.
- Dining facilities are open with current guidelines.
- Health Services operations remain as is.
- On-campus office hours remain the same with current protocols in place for remote work. Employees should continue their normal daily schedule unless directed otherwise by their supervisor.
- Library and study spaces remain available.
The University will continue to monitor conditions and keep in close communication with Summit County Public Health. The dynamic phases of the operation plan for campus is in concert with the Ohio Public Health orders and other specific operation requirements established by the state, the Responsible Ohio Protocols and higher education national governing bodies.