Dayton University Announces Spring Plans

Dayton OH

10 December, 2020

9:11 AM

Description

Press release from the University of Dayton: December 9, 2020 The University of Dayton today announced plans for spring semester, including COVID-19 testing for students upon arrival to campus, a phased move-in and other safety measures designed to limit introduction of the virus on campus. The plans build on what the University learned during the fall and take advantage of advances in medical technology and science to provide an orderly process for the beginning of the next semester and help reduce the spread of the virus. The core strategy remains to identify those who are positive for the virus and their close contacts and quickly move them into isolation or quarantine. A return to campus in the spring is possible because of the collective leadership and commitment demonstrated by UD students this fall to act for the common good and follow safety protocols necessary for a successful in-person semester. Students' efforts to protect their peers, faculty, staff, and the greater Dayton community clearly reduced the spread of the virus on campus after an early spike, resulting in fewer new cases and a much lower positivity rate. Highlights of the spring plan include: A phased arrival Jan. 15-31, with approximately 500-600 students scheduled to move in each day. COVID-19 testing upon arrival for all undergraduate students as well as graduate students who live in University housing, with rapid results in 20-30 minutes. Virtual classes Jan. 19-31. If conditions permit, in-person components of blended and in-person classes will begin Feb. 1. Students who do not comply with the University-administered COVID test before moving into residences or who repeatedly violate campus health and safety expectations are subject to University discipline and sanctions that include being barred from coming to campus, and may result in suspension for the semester. Plans can change at any time based on changing conditions, or recommendations or decisions by public health or other authorities, even up to the time students begin to return to campus. See the full email to students here. This press release was produced by the University of Dayton. The views expressed are the author's own.