Changes to campus operations with Summit County designation as ‘purple’ on Ohio Public Health Advisory System

On Thursday, Dec. 3, Summit County was designated as purple on the state’s Public Health Advisory System. The county met six of the seven indicators for the advisory system for two weeks, resulting in the purple designation.

Effective Monday, Dec. 7, the following changes to campus operations will be in effect:

• All dining facilities will be offering grab-and-go meals only.
• No visitors are permitted in residence halls.
• The Student Recreation and Wellness Center and Ocasek Natatorium are operating on a reduced schedule and have increased facility cleaning and disinfection. Group exercise classes will be limited to one class a day or moved to our virtual platform. Additional equipment has been moved to increase traffic flow throughout the facilities and building use has been reduced since classes went online. Staff will remind members frequently about social distancing and other safety guidelines.  
• The Jean Hower Taber Student Union will remain open for to-go food options only; therefore, eating will not be permitted in the public spaces of the facility. Study spaces remain open with new limited capacities and the game room will remain open for recreation options. Staff will remind guests frequently about social distancing and other safety guidelines. See hours of operation.
• Bierce Library will remain open for individual use of computer workstations, printers, study rooms and library resources. Group study will not be permitted at this time. New check-in procedures in the lobby will be established to protect students and maintain sanitized spaces. University Archives remains available by appointment.
• The Cummings Center for the History of Psychology is closed to the public until further notice. This temporary closure includes the Archives, National Museum of Psychology and Institute galleries.
• Student employees should contact their supervisors if they have questions regarding their upcoming work schedule.
• Coaches will communicate with student-athletes on specific impacts to their sport.

No changes are in effect for the branch campuses.

Faculty and students working in essential labs (i.e., vivarium) can continue their work.

Additionally, members of the campus community are reminded that the statewide 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew is still in effect. The curfew does not apply to those going to or from work, those who have an emergency, or those who need medical care. The curfew is not intended to stop anyone from getting groceries or going to a pharmacy.

We will continue to monitor the situation at the county and state levels and make additional adjustments as needed.

Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd @uakron.edu.