Dear students,
In what seems like a world of uncertainty right now, there are still some things that you can count on. One of those is the assurance that Your Hometown University will provide safe options for you this fall so that you can continue on the path toward earning your college degree. I want you to know that every decision we make is driven by our commitment to the health, safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff.
Earlier this week, you received an email from the University Registrar concerning changes to the Fall 2020 schedule. As is the case on the Kent Campus, the majority of classes offered by the Stark Campus will be taught remotely. Some of these classes will include voluntary activities, like meeting with a small discussion group or attending a lecture, that could be held on campus. Remote classes will be taught through Blackboard utilizing a combination of asynchronous, self-paced activities, and synchronous sessions, which will take place in real time through videoconferencing. This technology will allow you to see and hear your professors and interact with fellow students.
Our goal for remote classes is to replicate the unique, close-knit community that is the heart of KSU Stark. Now, more than ever, we need to remain connected with one another.
A small number of classes will be scheduled for delivery on campus. These courses will mostly take place in laboratory or studio settings and will be offered in Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Music, Nursing, and other areas. Students who come to campus for these classes, as well as the entire faculty and staff of KSU Stark, must adhere to our Flashes Safe Seven principles because we want our campus to remain open and for all of you to be safe.
Computer labs will be open and available, along with practice rooms in the Fine Arts Building, our library, the Recreation and Wellness Center, and other resources that will help you to thrive. You are going to come together with friends and faculty. We are all in this together, united by an incredible academic institution.
This global pandemic is no rival to the world-class education that will continue to take place right here in Stark County. At Kent State University at Stark, there’s no place for pause.
We are full go.
Here’s what you should know:
- The fall schedule is now set. You can check your schedule in FlashLine by clicking on the Student tab on the left-hand side. You can register for courses in FlashLine by clicking on Student > Courses and Registration > Look Up and Register for Classes.
- We will begin classes on Aug. 27, 2020, utilizing a remote format this fall, with some in-person components. Sometime this summer, you be hearing more from the professors teaching your fall classes.
- We plan to end all in-person instruction on Nov. 20, 2020, with remaining instruction, study sessions, and final examinations moving remotely for the remainder of the semester.
- This plan is designed to address epidemiologic models that suggest a potential resurgence in COVID-19 cases in late November/early December. Because of this new schedule, we will forego the fall break that had been planned for Oct. 15-18.
Our Student Services team is here to meet you where you are. We can advise you on everything from your class schedule to financial aid. Don’t miss our Virtual Drop-In Sessions beginning next week.
We are creating an environment that’s flexible enough that, no matter what the future may hold, we are going to help you move forward.
Together, we will navigate these new challenges. COVID-19 will not win this battle as we claim our present – and our future. We will most certainly see Flashes of brilliance as we embark on this new academic year together. That, you can count on.
Sincerely,
Denise A. Seachrist, Ph.D.
Dean and Chief Administrative Officer
Kent State University at Stark