YSU moving to primarily online classes after Thanksgiving break

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel announced Thursday the university would transition to primarily remote instruction after Thanksgiving break which starts Nov. 25.

The announcement comes after Gov. Mike DeWine’s Wednesday address where he discussed the “vast majority” of Ohio colleges and universities would move online after Thanksgiving break.

Tressel said Wednesday that the university would be able to move to remote learning but would have discussions with faculty before making a decision.

“With new restrictions announced earlier this week by Gov. Mike DeWine, minimizing students on campus after the Thanksgiving break is the most prudent and safest path at this time,” Tressel said in a letter to the campus.

Tressel said YSU will move online due to the rise of COVID-19 cases across the state and region and keeping with YSU’s commitment to the safety of all students.

Students in field placements, clinical, internships and student teaching assignments should continue as instructed by their departments.

Courses stay the same until Thanksgiving break unless determined otherwise by the professor.

Starting Nov. 30, courses will be primarily online, which includes courses currently being taught face-to-face and agile-hybrid modalities. Final exams will also be primarily given online.

Students are asked to contact their professors directly with further instructions.

The campus will remain open, and offices will operate normally under safety protocols. Residence halls and dining facilities will also remain open under current guidelines.

Health Services operation will stay the same. Maag Library and study spaces will also remain available. Student employees are asked to contact their supervisors for more information on their jobs.

Tressel said it is becoming more critical that everyone remains vigilant and strictly follow all safety guidelines before Thanksgiving break.

“We have done a fantastic job up to this point – remaining socially distant, wearing our masks, washing our hands – and you are all to be commended,” Tressel said in the letter. “Please, keep up the good work.”

Students will receive more reminders and tips about staying safe leading up to Thanksgiving break and how to stay healthy during the holidays and into the new year over the next 10 days. The spring semester will start on Jan. 11.

Here is the revised schedule for YSU:

This story was originally published November 13, 2020 at 4:27 AM with the headline "YSU moving to primarily online classes after Thanksgiving break."