In light of recent developments concerning the COVID-19 virus in Ohio, Clark State Community College will move all in-person classes on all campus locations, including Springfield, the Greene Center in Beavercreek, Xenia REACH Center and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center in Bellefontaine, to online or correspondence formats beginning Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27, 2020. The College is currently on Spring Break.
“Clark State, based on guidance from Governor DeWine’s office and public health officials will be shifting course delivery to online or correspondence for all classes,” said Dr. Matt Franz, vice president, information technology and emergency management at Clark State. “Additional information and specifics on this change will be sent out via email to all employees and students and posted on the Clark State website. Courses which cannot be moved online will have alternate plans and communication associated. This change, while unprecedented, is being made in the best interest of public health.”
Franz said infectious disease experts agree that proper hand hygiene and social distancing will be most effective at controlling the spread of COVID-19. “Social distancing is simply actions that reduce gathering people together to slow the spread,” he said. “We will be scaling up our support to students, faculty and staff in order to provide resources for those who may be unfamiliar with online education or other alternative delivery methods.”
Clark State will also operate on a modified schedule, meaning that many employees will be working from home during this time, though each campus will have limited operations and hours for students to access technology and for selected employees to complete essential business continuity tasks, such as payroll, custodial work and cleaning, and maintenance operations.
The Clark State Performing Arts Center and Hollenbeck-Bayley Conference Center will continue to host already scheduled programs for the time being. Any changes to already scheduled events will be communicated to patrons through email and the website. Additionally, in alignment with the State of Ohio’s guidance, Clark State is canceling all out-of-state travel for March and evaluating any travel beyond the end of this month. In-state travel will be modified on a case-by-case basis.
No known members of the Clark State or surrounding area community have tested positive for COVID-19. At this time, there are three positive COVID-19 cases in Ohio. All are located in northeastern Ohio.
“Clark State is taking the necessary steps to preserve safety and public health,” said Brad Phillips, chairman of the Clark State Board of Trustees. “We take this situation very seriously and understand that while disruptive, it is in the best interest of our students and employees.”
Clark State students will be able to access updates to campus information regarding the COVID-19 preventative measures online at: https://www.clarkstate.edu/covid19.
Students will be able to return to campus on Monday, March 30, though this date may change as the situation develops. Students are also highly encouraged to follow the health guidelines established to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including:
- If you are sick or have any (even mild) symptoms such as mild fever, cough, etc. please stay home. If these symptoms worsen please contact your nearest hospital or physician in advance and let them know you are coming with these symptoms.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, face, mouth, and nose.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as often as possible.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in your immediate area. Clark State’s physical plant has increased the level and strength of cleaning in all areas daily.
- An alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be seen as an extra layer of cleaning and should never be viewed as a replacement to frequent handwashing.
“The safety of our Clark State students, staff, faculty and community is of the utmost importance,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “We will adhere to the guidance set forth by Ohio Governor DeWine and work to be as flexible as possible to make these temporary classroom changes and modified work schedules as smooth as possible for all involved. Communication will be key, and I encourage students to keep an open line of communication with their faculty members and employees with their supervisors, and check-in frequently for the latest campus updates.”