Monday, March 9, 2020 at 8:51 a.m. EST (Students, Faculty & Staff)

Your health and safety is our foremost priority.

As you are aware, coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread worldwide. Kent State University health officials are closely monitoring the virus’s progress and are in daily contact with local, state and federal health authorities.

We will continue our robust preparation efforts to ensure the health and safety of our university community. We will also continue to align our plans with the most current recommendations from experts, including following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Kent State public health experts will hold an information session, "Understanding COVID-19," on Wednesday, March 11, at 1:30 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Kiva. Here you can learn more about COVID-19 and ask questions about the virus. The information session will subsequently be posted on the university’s COVID-19 information page for those unable to attend in person.

At this time, there are no confirmed cases in Ohio. It is important to note that the Ohio Department of Health has just begun testing for COVID-19. This newly expanded testing is likely to identify COVID-19 cases in Ohio. We encourage you to monitor the university’s COVID-19 information page for regular updates. You may also reach the information by clicking the yellow "Coronavirus Updates" tab in the top right corner of the homepage on the university’s website. In addition, up-to-the-minute information about coronavirus as it relates to Ohio can be viewed at the Ohio Department of Health website, including number of cases, how to prepare, who you can talk to 24 hours a day and how to contact your local health department.

Flash ALERTS

Also, make it a point to sign up for Flash ALERTS, Kent State’s official emergency text notification system that alerts subscribers of critical information during campus emergencies.

As always, it is important to practice sound prevention precautions, just as those used to prevent cold or flu:

• 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.

Health questions can be directed to University Health Services at 330-672-2322 or after hours to the Kent State Nurse Line at 330-672-2326. For more information about COVID-19, visit Kent State’s COVID-19 information page or the CDC.

Striving to Minimize Any Disruption to Classes

While doing our best to ensure your health and safety, we are equally committed to making every effort to minimize potential impact on coursework should access to the university become limited. Faculty, staff and administration will continue to work together to create plans that would allow most, if not all, coursework to continue during a period of disruption. Should it become necessary, students will be notified by faculty of any impact on their courses.

We are all facing a lot of uncertainty, and that can make us feel uncomfortable. As Flashes take care of Flashes, it’s especially important in trying times to remember our values of respect and kindness in all that we do.