Kent State University Plans To Reopen Campus In Fall

In a letter to the campus community, Kent State announced Friday the university will resume residential living and in-person classes at the Kent campus in August.

The letter from interim Provost Manfred van Dulmen states, "We are developing several scenarios to ensure an oustanding and safe experience for our students, faculty and staff." 

Van Dulmen goes on to explain the campus environment will be different, with classes likely to be a combination of face-to-face and remote teaching. Faculty will be allowed to decide whether they want to teach in person or remotely. 

A committee created what the university is calling the Flashes Safe Seven, to which everyone will be asked to adhere. 

Flashes Safe Seven Principles

• Face masks or cloth facial coverings are required. The university is working to make face masks available for those who do not have their own. 
• Community members must rigorously practice hand hygiene and cough etiquette.  Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 
• All employees will be required to clean and sanitize their workspaces and common spaces throughout the day, between shifts and at the close of each day. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones and keyboards. Classrooms will be cleaned on an enhanced schedule. 
• Social distancing guidelines will be strictly enforced requiring individuals to maintain at least 6 feet of separation from others. Supervisors will be assessing each workspace and classroom to determine an appropriate plan for social distancing in each area. This may include the installation of plexiglass, face shields, modifications to traffic flow and/or changes to work schedules. Replace in-person meetings with video- or tele-conference calls when possible.
• All members of the university community must self-monitor daily for symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms including cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat or a new loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Employees showing symptoms of COVID-19 should leave work immediately and seek medical evaluation by calling your Primary Care Physician, DeWeese Health Center at 330-672-2322 or your local urgent care center. Students showing COVID-19 symptoms should isolate from others immediately and seek medical evaluation by calling DeWeese Health Center at 330-672-2322 or calling your Primary Care Physician. Always call ahead before seeking in-person medical help. Employees and students who are diagnosed with probable or confirmed COVID-19 will be contacted by their local health department and will be given additional guidance and instructions. 
• For health questions about COVID-19 and safe practices, call University Health Services at 330-672-2322, or after hours contact the Kent State Nurse Line at 330-672-2326. Visit our COVID-19 hub for more information.
• As Flashes take care of Flashes, always demonstrate kindness and respect in all that we do.

The university says it's relying on state and federal guidelines as well as its own health experts. It plans to share more details by June 1 about a phased approach for the return to campus. 

 "At this time, employees who are currently working remotely should continue to do so," van Dulmen stated. "Anyone deemed essential to return to campus will work closely with their supervisor to follow the Flashes Safe Seven."

The university has the latest information about reopening plans online at  Kent State’s response to COVID-19.

Copyright 2020 WKSU. To see more, visit WKSU.