In response to directives from Governor Mike DeWine and the findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding COVID19, Clark State Community College will extend modified operations through the end of spring semester, which is May 8. Graduation, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, will be postponed until Saturday, August 15.
“The decision to extend Clark State’s modified operations did not come lightly,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “This decision was made out of an abundance of caution, a desire to keep the Clark State community safe, and prevent the spread of COVID19. We know that these are critical times for students, and we will continue to be diligent in ensuring and supporting their success during this unprecedented situation. We also wish to alleviate the uncertainty around important campus milestones such as graduation and reassure students and employees that we will return to normal operations as soon as possible.”
Clark State’s modified operations are effective on all campus locations including the main campus in Springfield, the Greene Center in Beavercreek, the Xenia REACH Center and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center in Bellefontaine. All courses have been moved to online or alternate formats for the remainder of the spring semester.
Clinical experiences will be suspended for the following programs: Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, Physical Therapy Assistant, Medical Assisting and Emergency Medical Services. Alternative dates or opportunities to meet these class requirements are currently being considered.
Many Clark State employees will be working from home when possible during this time, while some employees will report to campus locations to complete business continuity tasks, such as payroll, custodial work and cleaning, maintenance operations and technology support.
Dr. Matt Franz, vice president, information technology and emergency management, said infectious disease experts agree that proper hand hygiene and social distancing will be most effective at controlling the spread of COVID-19. “Social distancing is simply actions that reduce gathering people together to slow the spread,” he said. “We are working day and night to ensure students, faculty, staff and our community remain as isolated as possible to slow the spread of this virus. These actions are in response public health official recommendations for all areas in Ohio.”
Respecting the statewide call for social distancing, events scheduled at the Clark State Performing Arts Center (PAC) and Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center have also been canceled or postponed now through May 10, including graduation. The commencement ceremony, originally scheduled for May 9 at the PAC, has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 15.
“The performance of Waitress on April 2 has been cancelled,” said Adele Adkins, executive director of the Clark State Performing Arts Center. “The performance of Diamond Rio will be rescheduled for June, the Springfield Arts Council’s show Summer of Love will be rescheduled, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra concert on April 18 is canceled, and we are working on a new date for Michael Bolton. The safety of our patrons is our first priority, and we’re working with Ticketmaster to address concerns about cancellations and the rescheduling of events at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.”
The Clark State Theatre Arts performances of Urinetown scheduled for March 27, 28, and 29 at the PAC will be rescheduled for a later date yet to be determined.
Adkins said patrons are encouraged to hold onto their tickets as they will be honored for the rescheduled events. If a refund is desired, it will be given at the original point of purchase.
Tickets purchased for live performances at the PAC will be refunded from the point of sale: tickets purchased online will be automatically refunded to the credit card used and patrons who paid with cash or check will be mailed a check to the address given at the time of purchase.
Clark State baseball and softball games are suspended through April 5. The remainder of the season will be evaluated, and the status of games scheduled beyond April 5 will be communicated if changes or cancellations are made.
Student wraparound services will include virtual tutoring, emergency funding, and community resource referrals. Students should contact studentsupport@clarkstate.edu for more information.
Clark State students and the public will be able to access updates to campus information regarding the COVID-19 preventative measures online at: https://www.clarkstate.edu/covid19.
General information and updates from the State of Ohio for those out of work as a result of preventive measures relating to the COVID-19 virus is available at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm