COVID-19

Policies & Procedures

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


Health and Safety

  • Employees and students are required to electronically submit a daily health self-assessment, which includes monitoring temperature and symptoms.

  • Employees and students are required to wear face coverings in all campus buildings except in individual workspaces or personal residential rooms. Face coverings must also be worn outside. Appropriate policies for ensuring compliance have been crafted.

  • Procedures to address the needs of faculty, staff and students with underlying health conditions have been developed. Employees should contact the Human Resources Office for more information. Student requests will be processed by the Disability Education Office.

  • Classroom spaces have been identified that will allow for at least six feet of distance between students. Floor markers and entry signage will also establish new traffic patterns to encourage distance when commuting across campus.

  • Hand sanitizer dispensers and cleaning supplies have been distributed throughout campus.

  • Additional cleaning protocols have been established in every space on campus.

  • The University is working directly with the Muskingum County Health Department on COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and referrals to health services. In addition, we have identified appropriate health-related isolation and quarantine spaces within MCHD guidelines.


Academics: Undergraduate

With adjustments to the academic calendar, the semester will end prior to Thanksgiving. This will help to lessen the potential spread of COVID-19 on campus during peak cold and flu season. Updates to the calendar are as follows:

  • The Spring 2021 semester will begin on Monday, January 18, 2021. Classes will begin at this time.  We also have a special Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Reflection planned. The 2020-21 academic calendar is available here.

  • While the primary mode of instruction will be face to face, the basic elements of every class will be available on the Blackboard online learning management system in case of student illness or quarantine.

  • Students who live within a 50-mile radius will be eligible for commuter status so they can participate in the Muskingum educational experience while living with their families.

  • Please email studenthelp@muskingum.edu if you have questions or concerns about academic issues.


Academics: Graduate

The Graduate and Continuing Studies division continues to offer programs for degree completion, graduate and certificate programs. GCS courses are delivered online or in a blended (online with limited face-to-face evening meetings) format. All GCS classes use the Blackboard® learning support system.

  • The 2021 spring term calendar for MAP and graduate classes remains under review. We anticipate a Monday, January 18, 2021 start date for most courses. Consult the forthcoming 2021 GCS spring course schedule for the date your classes will start.

  • Click here for the current Graduate and Continue Studies 2020-21 academic calendar.  Please contact Graduate and Continuing Studies at gcs@muskingum.edu or 740-826-8038 if you have questions.


Financial Aid

  • Muskingum University has a long history of providing a quality education at an affordable price. We understand that some families may be experiencing financial challenges right now. Our commitment to providing financial assistance to students and families in need has never been stronger.

  • Our Financial Aid staff is truly here for our students. Please contact us anytime at finaid@muskingum.edu or 740-826-8139 with questions or concerns and one of our staff members will follow up with you.


Housing, Dining and Bookstore

We have implemented guidance to reduce student density in residence halls and to modify procedures to safely meet the needs of our residents. Modifications include:

  • The option for students to select single room, double room, or group housing options at the double room rate. New cleaning protocols have been established in all residential areas.

  • Designated areas for health-related isolation and quarantine for students who are unable to return home.

  • New hygiene and social distancing protocols for dining services preserve a full range of creative menu options and nutritional food choices.

  • Bait Shop menu options are grab & go only, with no custom ordering options at this time. Social distancing protocols have also been put in place to de-densify the dining area.

  • Students are encouraged to order textbooks and materials online through the University Bookstore. The on-campus bookstore has been adapted to meet social distancing and health guidelines.


Athletics

  • The Presidents Council of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) has postponed all NCAA intercollegiate athletic competition through December 31, 2020 amidst continued concerns about COVID-19.

  • Postponed fall sports include: cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball. The winter-season sports of basketball, indoor track and field, swimming and diving, and wrestling will also have intercollegiate competition postponed during the 2020 calendar year, with plans to resume in January 2021.

  • The University is postponing fall and winter competitive seasons to January 2021. We are NOT canceling any sports.

  • The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) has announced preliminary spring competition schedules for the three-team sports that were postponed this fall due to COVID-19. The schedules, including football, soccer (men and women) and women's volleyball, feature conference-only competition. The schedules are currently planned to begin on the weekend of March 12, 2021, and conclude on the weekend of April 16 with championship games in all sports.

  • While competition will not occur in Fall 2020, the Conference is planning a robust engagement of student-athletes during the fall semester with conditioning and preparation for competition according to CDC guidelines and NCAA criteria in conjunction with local health guidelines.

  • Muskingum University is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all aspects of athletics.

  • De-densifying and special cleaning protocols remain in all athletic facilities.

Campus and public access to athletic facilities has also been adjusted as follows:

  • The main field and surrounding outdoor track will be closed during the NCAA resocialization period

  • The North Field, Chess Center, Steele Center Gym, John Glenn Gym, and Weight Room are closed to the public.

  • The Chess Center, Steele Center Gym and John Glenn Gym are available for University students, faculty and staff. The John Glenn Varsity Athletic Weight Room is restricted to student-athletes only. The Chess Center Weight Room is open to all faculty, staff, and students with limited hours due to classroom use. 

Athletic Facility Hours

Anne Steele Center / John Glenn Gym

Mon. - Thurs. 7am-9pm

Fri. 7am-8pm

Sat. 9am-8pm

Sun. noon-8pm

 

Chess Center Fitness Floor (Weight Room/Aerobics Room) Hours:

Monday - 7:00 -7:45 am & 2:30 - 11:00 PM 
 
Tuesdays - 7:00 - 7:45 am / 11:00 AM - 12:15PM / 3:30 - 11:00 PM 
 
Wednesdays - 7:00 - 7:45 am / 3:30 - 11:00 PM 
 
Thursdays - 7:00 - 7:45 am / 11:00 AM - 12:15PM / 3:30 - 11:00 PM 
 
Fridays - 7:00 -7:45 am & 2:30 - 1:00 AM 
 
Saturdays - Noon - 1:00 AM
 
Sundays - 2:00 - 11:00 PM

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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