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UC transitions to online learning first few weeks of semester


The University of Cincinnati will be transitioning to online learning for the first two weeks of its spring semester due to the high transmissibility of the omicron variant in Greater Cincinnati.University officials announced Tuesday that UC will move to remote operations beginning on Wednesday and will continue online operations until Jan. 24, when they will pivot back to full in-person activities. Students will engage in online learning when their classes begin on Jan. 10. "I'm not surprised, but it's not the best thing in the world. I'm used to it at this point because my freshman year was completely online," said UC student Mikaela Armstrong.UC leaders said the decision was made in order to "minimize the disruption" the omicron variant could cause, including quarantining and classroom absences. Therefore, classes and academic support services will be held online for the first two weeks of the semester."The goal of this in-person delay is for us to assess the impact of omicron on our populations; let the spike in transmissions run its course; implement additional measures for screening testing and vaccination; and assess the feasibility of providing faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to receive booster shots," UC officials wrote in a release Tuesday.UC leaders said they wanted to ensure that students and staff come back to a healthy and safe environment."I am concerned about how much it's (COVID) spreading more. Especially in our community, we didn't see it that much especially on campus as students last year, but kinda looking forward to do that little bit of online to make sure it passes a little before we jump right back in," said UC student Aidan Guessford.Certain in-person activities that are allowed for learning purposes during this time include clinical, lab, studio and performance activities just as students and staff practice social distancing and proper health measures.UC said students can return to campus residence halls as scheduled but those volunteering to return must participate in required COVID-19 testing, regardless of vaccination status. Officials said they're updating guidance on COVID-19 testing requirements on its public health website in the coming days. The university is asking that other in-person campus activities such as welcome back events either be canceled, minimized or moved to a remote format.Schools officials are strongly encouraging students, staff and faculty members to get their COVID-19 booster shot as soon as possible.This move comes the same day that Northern Kentucky University announced it is delaying the start of its spring semester due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.Due to the surge, NKU will delay classes for one week. All classes will start on Tuesday, Jan. 18.Ohio reported more than 37,000 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend. There were 37,626 cases reported from New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The University of Cincinnati will be transitioning to online learning for the first two weeks of its spring semester due to the high transmissibility of the omicron variant in Greater Cincinnati.

University officials announced Tuesday that UC will move to remote operations beginning on Wednesday and will continue online operations until Jan. 24, when they will pivot back to full in-person activities. Students will engage in online learning when their classes begin on Jan. 10.

"I'm not surprised, but it's not the best thing in the world. I'm used to it at this point because my freshman year was completely online," said UC student Mikaela Armstrong.

UC leaders said the decision was made in order to "minimize the disruption" the omicron variant could cause, including quarantining and classroom absences. Therefore, classes and academic support services will be held online for the first two weeks of the semester.

"The goal of this in-person delay is for us to assess the impact of omicron on our populations; let the spike in transmissions run its course; implement additional measures for screening testing and vaccination; and assess the feasibility of providing faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to receive booster shots," UC officials wrote in a release Tuesday.

UC leaders said they wanted to ensure that students and staff come back to a healthy and safe environment.

"I am concerned about how much it's (COVID) spreading more. Especially in our community, we didn't see it that much especially on campus as students last year, but kinda looking forward to do that little bit of online to make sure it passes a little before we jump right back in," said UC student Aidan Guessford.

Certain in-person activities that are allowed for learning purposes during this time include clinical, lab, studio and performance activities just as students and staff practice social distancing and proper health measures.

UC said students can return to campus residence halls as scheduled but those volunteering to return must participate in required COVID-19 testing, regardless of vaccination status. Officials said they're updating guidance on COVID-19 testing requirements on its public health website in the coming days.

The university is asking that other in-person campus activities such as welcome back events either be canceled, minimized or moved to a remote format.

Schools officials are strongly encouraging students, staff and faculty members to get their COVID-19 booster shot as soon as possible.

This move comes the same day that Northern Kentucky University announced it is delaying the start of its spring semester due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

Due to the surge, NKU will delay classes for one week. All classes will start on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Ohio reported more than 37,000 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend. There were 37,626 cases reported from New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.


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