Kent State shuts down on-campus operations as of 5 p.m. Monday due to spread of COVID-19

This+scanning+electron+microscope+image+shows+SARS-CoV-2+%28round+blue+objects%29+emerging+from+the+surface+of+cells+cultured+in+the+lab.+SARS-CoV-2%2C+also+known+as+2019-nCoV%2C+is+the+virus+that+causes+COVID-19.+The+virus+shown+was+isolated+from+a+patient+in+the+U.S.

This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (round blue objects) emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. SARS-CoV-2, also known as 2019-nCoV, is the virus that causes COVID-19. The virus shown was isolated from a patient in the U.S.

Kent State announced Monday that they will be reducing all on-campus operations at 5 p.m. until further notice.  

The university will ask a limited number of employees to report to its campuses. Areas requiring at least a minimal physical presence on campus include: health services, public safety, information technology, residence services, dining services, mail services, facilities and a few research laboratories.

These areas will operate with a limited staff in rotation. 

Employees who may need to take home technology or any other items to work remotely must consult their supervisors. Employees should discuss their work requirements with their supervisors, as sustained availability in a virtual sense is vital for serving the needs of students as they continue their studies.

Most buildings will be locked beginning tomorrow, but primary election voting will continue as planned in the Beverly Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center. 

Faculty and staff will find additional information, including information about technology for working remotely, at Keep On Working or Kent State’s coronavirus information page. For questions regarding COVID-19, call 1-833-4ASKODH or Kent City Health Department at 330-678-8109.

In the email, the university urged all Kent State community members to sign up for Flash ALERTS to receive crisis communications through the emergency text system.

Contact Maria McGinnis at [email protected], Sara Crawford at [email protected] and Madison MacArthur at [email protected].