COVID-19

COVID-19

Muskingum University remains committed to the health and well-being of our entire campus community. We have carefully created new policies using the latest guidance from the CDC, Ohio Department of Health, and the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department (ZMCHD) to ensure the safety of students and employees. Should guidance from these sources change, our policies will be revised as appropriate.

Health and Safety

All employees and students will be expected to wear face coverings in all campus buildings, except in their individual workspaces or residence hall rooms. Face coverings are expected outdoors as well if appropriate social distancing is not possible.    

In addition, employees and students are expected to perform daily health checks, engage in social distancing and follow guidance on facility use and group events and gatherings. Procedures have been implemented to address needs of faculty, staff and students with underlying health conditions.

Adhering to these guidelines is the way to stay Muskie Safe, and thus protect each other while enjoying the opportunity to be together on our beautiful campus.

Additional measures include adjustments to workspaces, extra cleaning protocols, and easy access to hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies.

The University is working directly with the ZMCHD on testing, contact tracing and healthcare services. We have secured appropriate health-related isolation and quarantine spaces for students who are unable to return home in collaboration with the ZMCHD. 

Academics

We revised our academic calendar so that fall classes started a week early on August 18 and end prior to Thanksgiving to avoid being on campus during the peak influenza season. The Spring 2021 academic calendar is still under review, but our task force is currently considering a return to campus in mid-January.  

We have developed a classroom and lab management plan that allows appropriate social distancing in all learning spaces. With the addition of some new teaching spaces, we can provide appropriate classroom space for full-time face-to-face instruction for most of our classes. Instructors are working tirelessly over the summer, however, to ensure that the basic elements of every class are available in our Blackboard online learning management system to serve students for whom COVID-related issues prevent classroom attendance and also to use technology effectively to enhance our learning experiences.   

Residential Living

Our residential spaces have been adjusted to allow for the availability of single rooms for any students who wish to pursue that option. Careful arrangements of single and double rooms have allowed us to de-densify our student living spaces.

Dining and retail facilities have been altered to meet social distancing and health guidelines.

Athletics

We are working closely with the NCAA and our colleagues in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) in terms of our athletic programming. The President's Council of the OAC has made the decision to postpone all NCAA intercollegiate athletic competition through December 31, 2020, amidst continued concerns about COVID-19. The Conference is committed to moving NCAA intercollegiate competition to the spring, with various models currently being discussed. At this time the intention is to engage all sports in competition starting in January 2021 and throughout the spring semester. For more details please refer to our Athletics Q&A.

The outdoor track, main field, and north turf field remain closed. All other athletic facilities will re-open in the fall for employee and student use only following appropriate health protocols.

Travel and Events

University travel will be restricted to essential travel only. No international trips will be permitted, and field trips are also prohibited for the fall semester.

Although we are encouraging the use of virtual gatherings in lieu of in-person events and meetings, we are allowing some on-campus gatherings so long as they abide by current health guidance. This includes a limit of 10 participants, the reservation of an appropriately sized room to allow for proper social distancing between participants, and the use of face coverings.

 

Questions

These policies were developed in accordance with guidance from the state, federal and local health authorities and may be adjusted as guidance changes. If you have any questions for specific University departments around these policies, please contact:

 

 

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