KENT, Ohio — While the fall semester is still months away, school officials from Kent State University are “optimistic” to approach a more normal level of operations that includes substantially more in-person classes and ramped-up COVID-19 testing for students living in residence halls.
In-person classes
Kent State said it will offer “substantially more in-person classes in the fall” by using additional, off-campus building space at locations within walking distance of the campus. The university said it will offer more evening classes and Saturday classes to expand the number of students who are able to take in-person classes.
The opening of course registration has been delayed while the administration makes arrangements to accommodate more students.
- Monday, April 12: Fall 2021 schedule of classes will be available in FlashFAST
- Friday, April 23: Course registration begins.
“It is likely that the in-person courses will have a smaller number of students per class to accommodate physical distancing requirements. We believe this can be a benefit to all as learning in a classroom with fewer students offers each student more individualized attention from their instructors,” the school said in a news release.
Anyone who signs up for in-person classes will be expected to attend in person.
COVID-19 testing
Testing will remain part of the strategy for summer and fall and students living in residence halls will be required to undergo mandatory testing.
Housing
Any student who needs to stay on campus past April 17 will have to sign up for summer housing. Those students will be assigned a deluxe single room with a private bathroom in Stopher Hall and Johnson Hall.
The university said it expects the number of people living in student housing to increase for the fall semester. All residence halls will be in use except Centennial Court E, Centennial Court F and Verder Hall. These halls will be used for quarantine and isolation needs.
Additional details including a staggered move-in date will be reviewed and provided in the coming months.
Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccinations will not be a requirement. However, Kent State said it will review this possible requirement once all vaccines receive formal approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Athletics and extracurricular activities
Kent State University said it will make announcements in the coming months on study abroad programs, athletic events and co-curricular activities.
Read more on the school's plans here.
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