COVID-19 GUIDE
Classes, studios and labs
ON THIS PAGE:
Here's the plan for a safe spring semester
The spring semester, which will begin Jan. 11, 2021, will include three weeks of remote instruction:
- one week at the beginning to allow those who will be traveling internationally or to high risk states to quarantine when they get back, and
- two weeks at the end to help reduce spread of COVID on campus by those who may travel during spring break.
The schedule was designed to balance the health and safety of campus and the surrounding community with the mental health and academic success of students.
Spring break will be later than normal this year, from April 12-18, with two weeks of remote instruction to follow. The semester will end May 2, as previously scheduled, followed by final exams.
The spring semester class has been posted in My Akron.
Significant dates during the semester:
- Jan. 1, New Year’s Day, University closed
- Jan. 11, first day of the spring semester (remote start)
- Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (University closed)
- Jan. 19, first day of face-to-face instruction for classes with that option
- Feb. 16, Presidents Day observed (no classes, but University is open)
- March 7, first 8-week session ends
- April 12-18, spring recess
- April 19-May 2, final two weeks of instruction will be remote
- May 3-9, final exams (remote)
Commencement: Dates and format have not yet been determined.
Residence halls: Students living on campus will be notified soon about return and move-in timelines and procedures.
The revised schedule was endorsed by Undergraduate Student Government, the Student Working Group, Faculty Senate Executive Committee, University Council Executive Committee and AAUP leadership.
Course formats and tuition
Course formats
For the spring semester, the University will provide academic courses through a variety of formats, including in-person, online and in hybrid form. (See course delivery lower on this page for definitions.) Since unanticipated circumstances at any time could affect the ability to deliver course content in a particular manner, the University reserves the right to modify the delivery method for course content.
Tuition and fees
Irrespective of the delivery format, tuition and fees shall remain the same for academic courses, consistent with published University tuition and fee schedules. There will be no refund or reduction on tuition or fees, since the University will be providing a full semester of instruction and awarding full academic credit to those who satisfactorily fulfill course requirements.
Reading your schedule in My Akron
To revise your schedule, talk with your advisor first, as not all options may be available for some classes. Changes to your schedule may result in billing changes. Please check My Akron for any updates.
Defining the types of classes: hybrid, online, etc.
When you log into My Akron to view your schedule, you should look for two pieces of information: WHEN and WHERE. These are listed for each class in the Schedule column.
Online (asynchronous)
When: You’ll see no days or times. This means your course doesn’t require real-time meetings. You can watch lectures and complete assignments at your own pace, as long as you keep up with due dates and deadlines.
Where: You’ll see “www site,” which means the location of your class is online. You will be able to access the class in Brightspace at the start of the semester.
Online live (synchronous)
When: You’ll see the days and times your class meets.
Where: You’ll see “www site,” which means the location of your class is online. You will find out how to log into your virtual class meeting by checking your course in Brightspace at the start of the semester.
In person
When: You’ll see days and times
Where: You’ll see the building abbreviation and room number. See the building abbreviations and find a building on a map.
Hybrid: part in-person and part online
For hybrid courses, you’ll see two sets of information in the schedule column.
In-person part of class
When: You’ll see days and times
Where: You’ll see building abbreviation and room number.
Online part of class
When: You’ll see days and times, which means you’ll attend virtual class meetings
OR you’ll see no days or times, which means you’ll do asynchronous work online.
Where: You’ll see “www site.”
Hybrid testing
This type of course requires you to come to campus to take tests and exams, but the instruction is either online or online live. Like other hybrid courses, you’ll see two sets of information:
Instruction
When: You’ll see days and times, which means you’ll attend virtual class meetings
OR you’ll see no days or times, which means you’ll do asynchronous work online.
Where: You’ll see “www site.”
Testing
When: Your instructor will tell you when your tests and exams are.
Where: You’ll see “on campus testing.” Your instructor will tell you the building and room.
Laboratories and studios
Students can expect to attend skill-based labs/studios and other classes that require at least some face-to-face instruction in order to meet learning objectives.
These labs/studios and classes are being reconfigured to ensure students can work in small groups and maintain a safe separation distance.
Students may need to engage in some learning activities that require brief interactions inside the social distancing perimeter, in which case adequate safety precautions will be followed by students/instructors.
All labs, studios and other classes that require face to face instruction will be supplied with disinfecting supplies that students, staff and faculty will use to clean the areas before and after each session.
See also: Information about COVID-19 as it relates to research
Academic testing
The testing centers on the main campus will be open this spring with modifications to adhere to social distancing guidelines. What you need to know.