Clone of Coronavirus FAQs - Student FAQs

Who will be eligible for a refund for on-campus housing, dining and parking?

• On-campus Housing: All students who completed the check-out procedure by March 30, 2020 at 5 p.m. will be eligible for a refund.
• Dining: Dining plans feature meal swipes and declining balance dollars. All students with a meal swipes feature will be eligible to receive a refund.
• Parking: All students who purchased a parking permit for the Spring 2020 semester will be eligible to receive a prorated refund.

How much should I expect my refund to be?

The university will be issuing refunds for housing, dining and parking for the Spring 2020 semester. The refunds will be calculated as follows:

• On-campus Housing: The amount of the refund varies depending on your room type and cohort. All students that completed the housing check-out procedure by March 30 at 5 p.m. will be eligible to receive a refund. The refund is calculated based on the daily rate for the days remaining on the contract after March 21, 2020.
• Dining: Student meal plans feature meal swipes as well as declining balance dollars. Students will be given a refund for the value of the unused meal swipes as of March 21, 2020. The refund is calculated based on the services days remaining for AYCTE facilities. Consistent with past practice, declining balance dollars will rollover to the next semester. Students that have applied for graduation will receive a refund for their remaining declining balance dollars.
• Parking: The amount of the refund for student parking permits will be based on the number of days in the semester after March 30, 2020.

Please note that if scholarship funding was awarded for room and board it will be adjusted consistent with the pro-rated cost of the room and board

How will my refund be processed?

Your refund will post to your Student Account prior to April 30, 2020. If your student account has an outstanding balance, your refund will be reduced by this amount. Student account credit balances will be issued as a refund through the normal refund process. Please visit the One Stop for Student Services website for more information about student refunds. Access additional information about student refunds.

Will commuter meal plans be refunded?

Yes, for the daily value of meal swipes. The unused declining balance dollars will rollover to the next semester.

Can students get their declining meal plan balance refunded back to them instead of having them rollover?

Declining balance will only be refunded to graduating seniors and graduate students. The normal practice is for the remaining balance to rollover to the next semester

I will be attending/transferring to another institution in the fall. How do I get my declining meal plan balance refunded back to me?

Students who will not be attending Kent State in the fall can apply for a refund of their declining balance by completing the “Petition for Food Contract Release.”

I will be doing an internship in the fall. How do I get my declining meal plan balance refunded back to me?

Students that are completing internships can apply for a refund of their declining balance by completing the “Petition for Food Contract Release.” 

All petitions are granted at the sole discretion of University Dining Services and the Division of Student Affairs.

I will be transferring to one of Kent State’s Regional Campus. Can I use my declining meal plan balance at the Regional Campuses?

Declining balance can be used at all Regional Campuses except the Geauga Campus.

Can Kent State hold my housing/meal plan credit for future terms?

All refunds as a result of housing, dining and parking credits will be issued directly to students. Students are encouraged to save those refunds to pay against their future term

I am an international student who has already gone back home. How will I get my student refund issued to me?

Students need to make a refund preference using a domestic bank for student refunds. Refunds can then be wired from your domestic bank to your non-domestic bank account. 

Are the residence halls open?

The residence halls closed on March 20, 2020 at 5 pm.

Can I still access my hall/room?

The residence halls closed on March 20, 2020 at 5 p.m. Only students who made plans with Residence Services can access their hall/room. If you did not make plans by March 30, 2020, Residence Services assumes your room is vacant and will dispose of remaining belongings in the room. If you have questions or concerns, you must contact housing@kent.edu immediately to inquire about your individual situation.

What do I do if I am locked out of my room?

The residence halls are now closed. If you are approved to stay and are locked out of your room, you can use the CBORD Mobile ID app to unlock your room door while on campus. Information on how to install and access the app can be found here: https://www.kent.edu/housing/access. If installing the app is not possible, call (330) 672-3600 for assistance.

Will I receive a refund or discount on my housing?

If you officially checked out of your residence hall room by March 30, 2020 at 5 p.m., you are eligible for a refund. Room rates will be prorated using a daily rate starting with March 21, 2020 through the contract end date. Each student’s daily rate is unique by cohort, room type, and amount paid. Residence hall refunds are in progress but will not be complete until April 30, 2020. Please watch your student account. If you have questions after your housing refund is applied, please contact Kent State’s One Stop for Student Services at 330-672-6000.

Does the date I checkout affect my refund?

If you officially checked out of your residence hall room by March 30, 2020 by 5 p.m. you are eligible for a refund.

How do I checkout of my room?

Once all of your belongings are removed from your room, please click here to complete your checkout. This will act as your official checkout from the residence halls. This checkout link must be completed by March 30, 2020 at 5 p.m. to be eligible for a refund.

Can someone pick up my belongings for me?

Yes, we will allow arrangements for this if we have written consent from all remaining occupants of the room. Email resproxy@kent.edu for information about the process. Once consent is confirmed, instructions will be given.

Are the Area Desks open?

The Quad Desk located in Stopher Hall is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Quad Desk can be reached at 330-672-3600.

What about my mail and packages?

All mail and packages received by the Area Desks have been returned to sender or forwarded to your home. Students who are still living on-campus, can pickup their mail and packages at the Quad Desk.

Can my package(s) be sent home?

It depends. Items shipped through the post office can be forwarded. Packages that are shipped FedEx, DHL, UPS, and most Amazon packages are not able to be forwarded. We suggest checking your online tracking or with the company you ordered from to see if you can have the shipping information updated. If a package from one of these companies arrives to University Mail Services and they are not able to forward it, they will return it to sender. If you have questions, please contact Mail Services at 330-672-2164.

Are the dining halls open?

Dining information and can be found on the University Dining Services page. 

Is Sibs and Kids Weekend still happening? What about my t-shirt order?

Sibs and Kids Weekend is cancelled. T-shirt monies will be refunded. Please email kic@kent.edu if you have questions regarding your refund.

Which dining locations are open?

• Starting March 30 through May 8, Prentice Cafe and Munchies Market will be open Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.
• Munchies Market Store section will also be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• All other dining locations will be closed. 

Will dining hall locations be open during Spring Break?

There will be no dining locations open during the week of Spring Break (March 21 – March 29).

Will my meal plan work during the campus closure?

Yes, your meal plan will still work at open dining locations.

How do I contact Dining if I have questions?

For additional questions regarding to University Dining, please call 330-672-2541 or email dining@kent.edu

How do I pick up my paycheck if I work for University Dining Services?

Paychecks can be picked up as they traditionally are by visiting room 203 in Tri-Towers.
 

Since the university is closed, are students allowed to park their cars on campus?

Students with a valid permit may park in their assigned lot or in any “C-commuter” lot through the rest of the semester.

If you have any questions, please email parking@kent.edu.

What bus services will be available on campus?

Beginning Monday, March 30, Kent State University campus bus service will be limited to the following bus route:

• 57 Stadium Loop Route

Will PARTA still be running on campus for my student to get into town?

PARTA hours, routes and updates can be found at their website. For more information about campus or county routes, contact PARTA communications and public advocacy advisor Denise Baba at 330-678-7745 or email dbaba@partaonline.org.

COVID Response Team

This university's COVID Response Team will be responsible for managing COVID-19 related information that includes but is not limited to: voluntary self-reporting of COVID-19 status by students, staff, and faculty, confirmed cases at DeWeese Health Center and inquiries related to COVID-19 related topics such as: self-isolation, quarantine and travel. It is led by the Kent State’s chief university physician and its members include a coordinator, nurses and public health staff, employed by University Health Services.

Access the COVID Response Team webpage  Find out about COVID-19 Testing Options

Medical Services (includes Pharmacy)

• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Call: 330-672-2322 OR THE 24 HOUR NURSE LINE: 330-672-2326
• We are open for in-person services
• Telemedicine Visits
• Prescription Refills
• Nurse Triage
• Answer COVID-19 questions
• After Hours: 24-hour nurse line: 330-672-2326

Counseling and Psychological Services

• Hours:
  • Call the main desk 330-672-2487, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • After-hours crisis support, nights and weekends: 330-672-2487
• Counseling and Psychological Services will provide:
  • Services provided include: counseling, crisis intervention, consultation and support groups
• Please call the office at 330-672-2487 for information or services.

Mental Health and Counseling Services 

Ashtabula Campus

24-hour hotline: 440-964-4288

Johanna Slivinske, MSW, LISW-S
Counseling Specialist
Counseling Services
L 207, 2nd floor of the Library
440-964-4319
jslivins@kent.edu
ashtabulacounseling@kent.edu
https://www.kent.edu/ashtabula/counseling

College of Podiatric Medicine (Cleveland)

24-hour hotline: 216-707-8022
216-368-5872

Theresa Novak, M.Ed., LPCC-S
Clinical Counselor
Counseling & Wellness Services
4th Floor
216-916-7524
tcnovak@kent.edu
CPMCounseling@kent.edu
https://www.kent.edu/cpm/CWS

East Liverpool Campus

24-hour hotline: 330-382-7444

Brenda McIntosh, M.Ed., LPCC
Counseling Specialist
Counseling & Wellness Services
212 G
330-382-7404
Bmcinto1@kent.edu
https://www.kent.edu/columbiana/counseling-and-wellness-services

Geauga Campus

24-hour hotline: 440-834-3766

Valerie Rutherford, MSW, LISW-S
Counseling Specialist
Counseling Services
Library Office 120C
440-834-3711
Vruther1@kent.edu
geaugacounseling@kent.edu
https://www.kent.edu/geauga/counseling-services

Twinsburg Academic Center (Twinsburg)

24-hour hotline: 440-834-3766

Sue Mark-Sracic, M.Ed., LPCC, LSW
102P Student Services Department
330-888-6366
smarksra@kent.edu
geaugacounseling@kent.edu
https://www.kent.edu/geauga/counseling-services

Kent Campus

24-hour hotline: 330-672-2326

Dr. Pamela Farer-Singleton, Ph.D.
Chief Psychologist
Psychological Services
2nd Floor of the DeWeese Health Center
330-672-2487
http://www.kent.edu/psych

Dr. Jason Miller, Ph.D., LPCC-S
Clinical Director
The Counseling Center
325 White Hall
330-672-2208
www.kent.edu/ehhs/counseling

Dr. Alanna Updegraff, Ph.D.
Director
Psychological Clinic
Rm 176 Kent Hall
330-672-2372
http://www.kent.edu/psychology/clinic

Dr. John Gunstad, Ph. D.
Department of Athletics & Psychology Professor
jgunstad@kent.edu

Salem Campus

24-hour hotline: 330-382-7444

Kristy Martell, M.S.Ed, LPCC-S
Counseling Specialist
Counseling & Wellness Services
Faculty Offices, 104 B – Salem
330-337-4287
counselingcolumbianaco@kent.edu
https://www.kent.edu/columbiana/counseling-and-wellness-services 

Stark Campus

24-hour hotline: 330-244-5188

Emily Ribnik, M.Ed., LPCC-S
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Counseling Services
Lower Level – Campus Center
330-244-5048
eribnik@kent.edu
starkcounseling@kent.edu
www.kent.edu/stark/counseling-services

Kelsey Kalgreen, M.A., LPCC-S
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
330-244-3408
Kkalgre1@kent.edu

Trumbull Campus

24-hour hotline: 330-675-7677

Barb Ozimek, M.A., LPCC-S
Counseling Specialist
Counseling Services
131 B Student Services Building
330-675-7603
bozimek@kent.edu
https://www.kent.edu/trumbull/counseling-services

Tuscarawas Campus

24-hour hotline: 330-308-6414

Jennifer Benline with Personal & Family Counseling Services
106B Science & Advanced Technology Building
330-407-5079
www.personal-family-counseling.com

Laurie Donley
Director, Enrollment Management & Student Services
330-308-7425
ldonley@kent.edu
*For assistance, referrals or student concerns

Employment for all students employed during Spring 2020 must end no later than May 9, 2020.

Summer 2020 student employment processing opened on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Summer student employment requests must be for essential and critical work and only students who will have an adequate workload should be hired.

The following procedures for timekeeping will be followed:

1. If a student is performing work on-campus (i.e. grounds crew; facilities and maintenance), the student should use Empower to clock in and out for each work session.
2. If a student is working remotely, the student should record the date, start time,and end time for each work session and submit it to their supervisor via email at the end of the work week. Using Empower, supervisors should enter the student’s punch in and punch out for each day worked and note once in the comment section: “Student is remote”.

When will Recreational Services facilities be closed?

All Recreational Services facilities are closed from Tuesday, March 10, at 5 p.m. until the end of spring semester. This closure includes the Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation & Wellness Center and the KSU Ice Arena.

Will I get a refund for my membership and/or parking permit?

You will not be charged for your membership during the closure period. Recreational Services will process all refunds, prorations, and adjustments to memberships, including payroll deductions, auto-debits, and other payment types.

Can I get my items or belongings out of my locker?

Members should email recservices@kent.edu to coordinate a mutually acceptable time to retrieve personal items from their locker.

What happens to my rental/facility reservation?

All rentals and facility reservations during the scheduled closure are canceled. The Recreational Services staff will contact you to reschedule or process a refund.

Will my program be rescheduled?

All attempts will be made to reschedule activities and programs as the university schedule permits. Please contact the program coordinators listed below for additional information.

Will program refunds be offered?

Program refunds will be considered on a case by case basis. You should contact the specific program area coordinator for additional information.

As a SilverSneaker member, can I attend another facility?

SilverSneaker members can find other participating locations on their website at https://tools.silversneakers.com/

Whom should I contact for additional information?

Aquatics - Learn to Swim: David Taylor, dmtaylo2@kent.edu PEAK Summer Camp: Josh Dietrich, jdietr12@kent.edu Club Sports: Greg Bailey, gbailey@kent.edu Membership: Nick Barber, nbarber4@kent.edu Ice Arena: Bill Switaj, wswitaj@kent.edu Adventure Center: Chris Lukas, clukas@kent.edu Intramural Sports: Josh Dietrich, jdietr12@kent.edu Fitness and Group X: Beth Michel, emichel2@kent.edu Operations & Events: Chris Baker, cbaker5@kent.edu.

Contacting ISSS & Making Phone Appointments

The ISSS team is continuing to monitor all emails and respond accordingly. If you are interested in asking questions or making an appointment, please review the ISSS Office and Advising Hours page. General information often may be found on the ISSS Guides and Forms page.

Contacting International Admissions

International Admissions is expanding our remote advising to continue to serve our current and prospective students. For up-to-date information about our in-person and virtual advising options, please check the International Admissions advising schedule. If you would need to meet in person to submit your document, please email intladm@kent.edu to make an appointment ahead of time.  

Will I need to take in-person courses? 

The Department of Homeland Security has extended the guidance. Accordingly, the in-person course requirements are different for continuing students and for new students. Please see the Enrollment Updates and FAQ page.

Travel

If you returned home and will return to Kent for the upcoming semester, you need a valid travel signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019. All travel signatures are valid for one year unless you are currently on Optional Practical Training (OPT), in which case your travel signature is valid for six months. Please notify ISSS (and request a travel signature if needed) through the Travel Plans Form. Electronically signed I-20s will be emailed to F-1 students who need an updated travel signature. J-1 students will require a DS-2019 with a physical signature; instructions for arranging mailing of the DS-2019 are included in the Travel Plans Form.

Any travel out of state and beyond must be reported to the COVID Response Team prior to departure. The COVID Response Team can be reached at 330-672-2525.

For spring semester 2022,  international students/travelers arriving on campus are expected to contact the COVID Response Team for instruction specific to their arrival to Kent State and follow the CDC guidelines. Please note that vaccination and entry requirements change frequently and international students/travelers are expected to monitor the CDC website for the most current information. Students should also wear a face covering and follow the Flashes Safety Protocols during travel.

Graduating Students

If you will remain outside the United States for spring semester, you can contact the Registrar's Office to have your diploma mailed to you in your home country. If you have questions about diplomas, the website for the Registrar's Office. Students who are graduating at the end of Spring 2022 will need to be physically present in the United States in order to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training. We understand that you have many questions, and we assure you that we will be here to answer them. Please see the ISSS Office and Advising Hours page for more information on how to contact ISSS directly.