Coronavirus: University of Dayton officials say options for fall classes remain open

DAYTON — The University of Dayton, responding to whether a decision has been made to offer distance learning only this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic, has not locked into how classes will be offered.

The issue came up Tuesday afternoon at the news briefing on Montgomery County's response to the virus.

Health Commissioner Jeff Cooper, when asked, confirmed that Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County is in preliminary discussions with UD about its fall schedule.

“Universities should plan for distance learning for the fall unless we hear otherwise from the state,” Cooper said.

Tuesday evening, UD officials responded to Cooper's comment: "The University has been in close contact with Public Health Dayton Montgomery County throughout the coronavirus emergency and continues to seek their guidance about how to keep our faculty, staff and students safe and healthy. As all colleges and universities are doing, UD is planning for options for the fall semester, ranging from full, residential in-person learning to a hybrid approach to continuing remote learning and has discussed several options with Public Health."

Gov. Mike DeWine has said he plans to reopen the state in layers, beginning with some businesses, on May 1 amid concerns about a lack of testing, rapid testing, and personal protection equipment as well as the ability to perform contact tracing. Spikes in new cases could slow or derail states' plans to emerge from the pandemic.

This week he also ordered schools to remain closed and to continue distance learning for the rest of the 2019-20 school year.

Tuesday morning, Urbana University officials announced that institution is shutting down because the pandemic "has added a level of stress and uncertainty to Urbana's prospects that make it impossible to sustain."

Tuesday evening, Wright State University officials announced WSU is offering current Urbana University students academic and housing scholarships for fall and spring semesters.

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