Stark Campus COVID-19 Information & Updates

Updated March 25, 2020:

CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 QUESTIONS

KENT STATE'S MODIFIED SPRING SCHEDULE

Kent State applauds Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s proactive approach to keeping our state safe during the ongoing spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). On March 12, Gov. DeWine banned all indoor and outdoor events with more than 100 attendees and provided the estimate that the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ohio will likely peak between late April and mid-May. As such, we will extend remote instruction of face-to-face courses for the remainder of this semester.

To slow transmission of the virus and consistent with recommendations from state health authorities to limit large gatherings and practice social distancing, Kent State is taking the following preventative and proactive actions:

  • March 10-15: Face-to-face classes canceled.
  • March 16-20: Classes will be held via remote instruction.
  • March 23-29: Spring break will occur as scheduled.
  • March 30-End of Spring Semester: Classes will be held via remote instruction.

STARK NURSING CLINICAL ROTATIONS
Effective March 13, 2020, all College of Nursing (BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD) clinicals are suspended until April 13, 2020 at which time we will re-evaluate. This includes the BSN at regionals (Stark, Trumbull, Geauga and Salem). For those of you who anticipate a May graduation, we are working to ensure that your graduation will be on time. College of Nursing Students please contact Dr. Tracey Motter (BSN Kent Campus) at 330-672-8784 or Dr. Wendy Umberger (MSN/DNP/PhD Kent Campus) at 330-672-8813. View additional details.

STARK CAMPUS & KENT CAMPUS OPERATIONS

 
STARK CAMPUS: 
At 5 p.m. on March 16, 2020, Kent State Stark closed until further notice. Essential services are being performed remotely. Employees should discuss their work requirements with their supervisors.

KENT CAMPUS:

  • Residence halls are closed as of March 20, at 5 p.m. Access check out requirements and special arrangements.
  • On March 17, most buildings were locked.
  • On March 16, at 5 p.m., Kent State reduced campus operations until further notice. Only a limited number of employees will be asked to report to their campus. Areas requiring at least a minimal physical presence on campus include health services, public safety, information technology, residence services, dining services, mail services, facilities and a few research laboratories. Units designated for on-campus service will operate with limited staff in rotation.
  • Employees should discuss their work requirements with their supervisors. Find information about working remotely 

STARK 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.

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. 

STARK 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.

STARK STAFF - KEEP ON WORKING

STARK ADMISSIONS & FIRST STEP

  • The Admissions staff is working with students remotely.
  • For admissions questions, email starkadmissions@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
  • There are currently no in-person admissions meetings or campus tours until further notice.
  • www.kent.edu/stark/admissions
     
  • The First Step staff is working with students remotely.
  • At this time, First Step registration has been suspended until further notice.
  • For First Step questions, email starkfirststep@kent.edu. Questions will be answered as soon as possible.
  • www.kent.edu/stark/first-step

STARK ACADEMIC ADVISING

PASS/FAIL GRADING

Between now and the end of the semester, students may opt to take courses on a Pass/Fail basis, based on guidelines that will be updated March 30.

  • This includes undergraduate and graduate courses.
  • There are some situations in which a program has a grade requirement for a prerequisite course, a program course or licensure requirement, and in such cases, the course may not be taken Pass/Fail.
  • Please discuss this with an advisor before taking action in order to best understand the consequences of taking a course for Pass/Fail.
  • Taking a course for Pass/Fail will not impact your grade point average (GPA).
  • You will receive credit for the Pass grade and no credit for the Fail grade.
  • The Pass (Y) grade and Fail (Z) grade will be posted on your transcript.
  • Note: College Credit Plus (CCP) students are not eligible to take courses on a pass/fail basis.
  • Find additional details for pass/fail on March 30.

STARK FINANCIAL AID

MILITARY CALL-UP GUIDELINES & VETERANS BENEFITS

SUMMER 2020 CLASSES

  • Intersession (May 14 - June 3), Summer I (June 4 - July 8) and Summer II (June 4 - July 29) classes will be offered by remote instruction only. This applies to any summer class that begins before July 9.
  • Decisions about Summer III (July 9 - Aug. 12) will be made at a later date.
  • Decisions about clinicals, practica and internships will be made on an ongoing basis in consultation with chairs and directors of the academic program areas.

SUMMER 2020 STUDY ABROAD & STUDY AWAY

  • Kent State University has made the difficult decision to cancel all study abroad (international) and study away (domestic) trips scheduled for summer 2020.

STARK GLOBAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES

STARK COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS

  • The College Credit Plus staff is working with students remotely.
  • Email the CCP staff at ksustarkccp@kent.edu and questions will be responded to as soon as possible.
  • The Summer 2020 application deadline has been moved to May 1.
  • There are currently no in-person CCP appointments until further notice.
  • www.kent.edu/stark/college-credit-plus

STARK TUTORING SERVICES & WRITING CENTER

STARK COUNSELING SERVICES

  • The Counseling Services staff is working with students remotely.
  • To contact Counseling Services, 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.
  • There are currently no in-person counseling appointments until further notice.
  • 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

STARK LIBRARY

STARK BOOKSTORE

STARK RECREATION & WELLNESS CENTER

FLASH'S FOOD PANTRY

  • Flash's Food Pantry is closed until further notice. For questions, contact Ashley Brightbill at abright6@kent.edu.
  • www.kent.edu/stark/flashs-food-pantry
  • As alternatives to Flash's Food Pantry, we would like to offer the following area food bank/food pantry information for students, faculty and staff in need. Please visit each of their websites for more information.

Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron
www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/need-food
Main Phone: 330-535-6900
Stark Phone: 330-452-4661

Stark County Hunger Task Force
408 9th St. SW, North Canton
www.starkhunger.org
330-455-6667
Summit Phone: 844-640-6446

North Canton Cares Pantry
1300 Pittsburgh Ave., North Canton
www.NCCpantry.com
330-871-9282
Serves residents of 44721, 44720, 44685, 44718, 44708 and 44630 (Drivers license / mail item (proof of residence required).

Please note: If you have children, check to see if their school(s) is offering food assistance, as well.

ALL OTHER STARK STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

STARK CAMPUS EVENTS / COMMENCEMENT

  • Events scheduled for all campus locations are canceled to avoid creating large gatherings. No additional spring semester events will be scheduled. 
  • Kent State is postponing all Spring Commencement ceremonies and pre-commencement celebrations. We are exploring alternate options and dates. More information will be provided at a later date.
  • Updated March 23: Kent State University regretfully announces cancellation of the May 4 50th Commemoration Weekend events, scheduled to take place May 1-4, 2020. View additional details.

STARK CONFERENCE CENTER & CORPORATE UNIVERSITY

  • Events and programs at the Kent State Stark Conference Center, including those events hosted by the Corporate University, are canceled until further notice.
  • Email the Conference Center at ksustarkconfcenter@kent.edu for assistance.
  • Email the Corporate University at thecorporatu@kent.edu for assistance.

CONTINUE TO TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

It is imperative that we take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Avoid large gatherings and follow social distancing recommendations of 3-6 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.
  • General coronavirus FAQS, as addressed by Kent State University in response to university community

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.

VIEW KENT STATE CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 UPDATES & FAQS

SUBSCRIBE TO FLASHALERTS

STARK CAMPUS ASSISTANCE 

Email starkinfo@kent.edu or call 330-499-9600 and leave a message.

Emails and messages will be returned usually by the next business day.

 

 

POSTED: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - 3:56pm
UPDATED: Friday, March 27, 2020 - 7:58am
WRITTEN BY:
Kent State University at Stark
 

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