Stark Campus COVID-19 Information & Updates
KENT STATE COVID-19 UPDATES & QUESTIONS
- If you have questions regarding COVID-19 please call 1-833-4ASKODH (1-833-427-5634) or email coronavirus@kent.edu.
- Kent State COVID-19 Response Team: 330-672-2525
COVID-19 DASHBOARD UPDATES FAQS FLASHES SAFE SEVEN
STARK CAMPUS OPERATIONS
- Most offices and services are operating remotely through the end of January. Employees who can work from home should do so.
- The Library, Bookstore and Main Hall East Wing Computer Lab are open.
- Spring 2021 classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 19 and will be delivered in-person and remotely as planned.
- All Kent State Stark community members and visitors are required to adhere to the Flashes Safe Seven principles to ensure the safety of our community. Face coverings are required.
- Employees who have acknowledged “On-Campus Work Procedures for Fall” can work on campus. Working remote is preferred option for those who can. Employees should discuss their work requirements with their supervisors.
SPRING 2021 REOPENING PLANS
- On Dec. 10, the university shared its reopening plans for spring:
- Spring 2021 classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 19 and will be delivered in-person and remotely as planned.
- Most Stark Campus offices will operate remotely through the end of January.
- The Library, Bookstore and Main Hall East Wing Computer Lab reopened on Jan. 4.
- Student Services and the Academic Success Center will operate remotely Jan. 4 - 29.
- The Recreation & Wellness Center and Emporium Grille & Market will be closed through Jan. 29 with plans to reopen Feb. 1.
STARK CAMPUS COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
LIMITED SERVICES AVAILABLE; SOME CAMPUS BUILDINGS CLOSED
To limit the spread of COVID-19, we ask that you not come to campus unless you need to use a campus service such as the Library, Bookstore, Main Hall East Wing computer lab or wi-fi. Most campus services will continue operating remotely through the end of January. Face coverings must be worn while on campus. Continue to practice Flashes Safe Seven.
CLEANING & DISINFECTING
Campus areas will be cleaned and disinfected twice per day. Cleaning and disinfecting stations are located throughout campus. Please do not move cleaning supplies from room to room. Plexiglass barriers have been installed in high traffic offices and areas.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately and/or call 911 and:
- Quarantine at home except to get medical care. Do not come to campus if you are not feeling well.
- Call your doctor immediately in advance to let them know you have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Notify the Kent State COVID Response Team by calling 330-672-2525.
- See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information.
STARK CAMPUS ASSISTANCE
- Email starkinfo@kent.edu or call 330-499-9600. Emails and messages will be returned usually by the next business day.
- Campus Security can be reached at 330-244-3333. Save this number as a favorite in your phone.
KEEP ON LEARNING / TEACHING / WORKING
STUDENTS - KEEP ON LEARNING
Under unusual and difficult circumstances, your instructors and campus staff are working hard to make sure your education has as few interruptions as possible.
Many face-to-face classes are being offered via remote instruction. The learning management system, Blackboard, will be the primary platform used for delivering your class remotely. Your instructor may choose to deliver synchronous (real-time) video-conferences or may post content for you to read or watch asynchronously.
- Remote instruction for students, including access instructions and technology resources, is at www.kent.edu/keeponlearning.
- Review free internet service options.
- Kent Cares student support website
- For students experiencing Proctorio issues, call the support line at 1-866-948-9248.
FACULTY - KEEP ON TEACHING
- Remote instruction resources for faculty can be found at www.kent.edu/keeponteaching.
- A Stark Campus Blackboard course has been created as a faculty resource. In Blackboard, view RESOURCE - Stark Faculty Remote Instruction under My Courses.
- For technology issues, contact TechHelp by either submitting a support ticket or via Live Chat with support staff. You can also call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 330-672-HELP.
- Visit Inform@DoIT for faculty and staff.
STAFF - KEEP ON WORKING
- Remote working resources for staff can be found at www.kent.edu/keeponworking.
- For technology issues, contact TechHelp by either submitting a support ticket or via Live Chat with support staff. You can also call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 330-672-HELP.
- Visit Inform@DoIT for faculty and staff.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
- The Stark Academic Advising staff is assisting students remotely.
- View all virtual and phone appointment options.
- For advising questions, email ksustarkadvisors@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- www.kent.edu/stark/advising-services
ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER
- The Stark Academic Success Center is assisting students remotely.
- View website for remote office hours.
- www.kent.edu/stark/academic-success-center
ADMISSIONS
- The Stark Admissions staff is assisting students remotely.
- View all virtual and phone appointment options.
- For admissions questions, email starkadmissions@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- www.kent.edu/stark/admissions
BOOKSTORE
- The Stark Bookstore is open.
- Contact the Bookstore at 330-244-5112 or starkbookstore@kent.edu for assistance.
- www.kent.edu/stark/bookstore
CAMPUS TOURS
- In-person Stark Campus Tours resume Jan. 25.
- Schedule an in-person campus tour or take a virtual tour.
COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS
- The Stark College Credit Plus staff is assisting students remotely.
- For CCP questions, email ksustarkccp@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- www.kent.edu/stark/college-credit-plus
COMPUTER LABS
- The Stark Main Hall East Wing Computer Lab is open. View hours.
- The Network Services staff continues assist students, faculty and staff remotely, with limited in-person services available.
- www.kent.edu/stark/network-services
CONFERENCE CENTER
- Email the Stark Conference Center at ksustarkconfcenter@kent.edu for assistance.
- www.kent.edu/stark/cucc/conference-center
CORPORATE UNIVERSITY
- Email the Stark Corporate University at thecorporateu@kent.edu for assistance.
- www.kent.edu/stark/cucc/corporate-university
COUNSELING SERVICES
- The Stark Counseling Services staff is assisting students remotely.
- For counseling services questions, email starkcounseling@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- Students can also contact counselors Emily Ribnik at 330-244-5048 or Kelsey Kalgreen at 330-244-3408.
- Faculty and staff may contact Kent State University’s Employee Assistance Program, IMPACT, at 1-800-227-6007, for live, immediate assistance.
- There are several 24/7 professional support services available that can also connect you to local resources. You can reach the Crisis Text Hotline by texting 741-741. You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by visiting their website for a live chat.
- www.kent.edu/stark/counseling-services
EMPORIUM GRILLE & MARKET
- The Stark Emporium Grille & Market is closed through Jan. 29 with plans to reopen on Feb. 1.
- www.kent.edu/stark/emporium
EVENTS
- In-person events are suspended through Jan. 29.
- A minimal number of events (less than 10 people in attendance) may be held on campus in accordance with Kent State's event procedures and policies, state and local guidelines and the Flashes Safe Seven principles. Approval is required.
- Virtual events will continue.
- View the Stark Campus events calendar.
FINANCIAL AID
- The Stark Financial Aid staff is assisting students remotely.
- View all virtual and phone appointment options.
- For financial aid questions, email starkfinancialaid@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- Payments can be made online.
- Submit documents by using the One Stop Student Services Contact Us Form.
- www.kent.edu/stark/financial-aid
VETERANS BENEFITS & MILITARY CALL-UP GUIDELINES
- The Stark Veteran Benefits staff is assisting students remotely.
- For veterans benefits questions, email Annie Fritz at afritz2@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- www.kent.edu/stark/veterans-services
- View Kent State Military Call-Up Guidelines
FIRST STEP - FRESHMAN ADVISING & REGISTRATION
- The Stark First Step staff is assisting students remotely. The First Step program has moved into a digital platform.
- For First Step questions, email starkfirststep@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- www.kent.edu/stark/first-step
FLASHCARD STUDENT ID
- New Stark Campus students can request a FLASHcard online. Follow instructions on the website.
- www.kent.edu/stark/flashcard
FLASH'S FOOD PANTRY & FLASH'S PROFESSIONAL CLOSET
- Stark's Flash's Food Pantry and Flash's Professional Closet are available by appointment only.
- www.kent.edu/stark/flashs-food-pantry
- www.kent.edu/stark/flashs-professional-closet
GLOBAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES
- The Stark Global Education Initiatives staff is assisting students remotely.
- For global education questions, email Sarah Schmidt at sschmi16@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- www.kent.edu/stark/global-initiatives
INTERNSHIP & CAREER SERVICES
- The Stark Internship & Career Services staff is assisting students remotely.
- View all virtual and phone appointment options.
- For internship questions, contact Shaan Fowler at sfowle13@kent.edu.
- For career services questions, contact Chris Paveloi at cpaveloi@kent.edu.
- www.kent.edu/stark/career-services
LIBRARY
- The Stark Library is open.
- Materials can be requested online.
- www.kent.edu/stark/library
PARKING SERVICES
- Stark Parking Services is issuing parking hang tags to new students. Follow vehicle registration instructions on website.
- Returning students are to reuse their orange parking hang tag from 2019-20.
- www.kent.edu/stark/parking-services
RECREATION & WELLNESS CENTER
- The Stark Recreation & Wellness Center is closed through Jan. 29 with plans to reopen on Feb. 1.
- www.kent.edu/stark/recreation-wellness-center
SENIOR GUESTS
- The Stark Senior Guest application for Spring 2021 will be available Jan. 12-20, 2021.
- www.kent.edu/stark/senior-guest-admission
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER & CANTON SCORE
- Email the Small Business Development Center at info@cantonsbdc.org for assistance.
- www.cantonsbdc.org
STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
- The Stark Student Accessibility Services staff is assisting students remotely.
- For SAS questions, email starksas@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- www.kent.edu/stark/student-accessibility-services
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT & ORGANIZATIONS
- Stark Student Involvement is assisting students remotely.
- For student organization questions, email Ashley Brightbill at abright6@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- www.kent.edu/stark/student-involvement
STUDENT SERVICES OFFICE
- The Stark Student Services Office is assisting students remotely.
- Payments can be made online.
- In-person cashiering is available at the cashiering window. View available hours.
- www.kent.edu/stark/student-services
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
TESTING SERVICES
- Stark Testing Services is offering remote testing services.
- Appointments are required.
- www.kent.edu/stark/testing-services
TUTORING SERVICES
- Stark Academic Peer Tutors are offering remote tutoring.
- For tutoring questions, email starktutoring@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
- www.kent.edu/stark/tutoring-services
WELCOME KITS
- Students should contact the Office of Student Services for information.
- Faculty and staff should stop by Jim Biehl's office, 117A Main Hall, to pick up your items.
WRITING CENTER
- The Stark Writing Center is offering remote tutoring.
- www.kent.edu/stark/writing-center
CONTINUE TO TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
FLASHES SAFE SEVEN
It is imperative that we take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Avoid large gatherings and follow physical distancing recommendations of 6+ feet.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue.
- Avoid exposure to others who are sick.
- Stay home while you are ill (except to visit a healthcare professional) and avoid close contact with others.
- Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Wear face covering when out in public and when you can’t maintain physical distancing.
Additional information can be found here:
We take all of these steps to ensure the health and safety of our campus community and to be proactive in an effort to prevent illness while continuing the academic mission of the university.
We will continue to monitor the outbreak and will align our recommendations with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization and other city, state and federal agencies.