YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel and Provost Brien Smith have answered students’ concerns during the COVID-19 closure of on-campus classes and activities.

“It’s stressful for each and every student; It’s stressful for staff …” Tressel said.

This week he told a YouTube audience the university will provide a prorated return of some fees students paid for meal plans, on campus room and board, parking and other activities that are canceled because of the on-campus shutdown. In addition, YSU is suspending all late fees and some due dates will be extended.

These fees are expected to be returned to students by the first week of April, according to Tressel.

University officials also are talking to the private partnership that collaborated in building off-campus apartments for university students. Tressel stressed that these investors still have debts they have to pay.

Not all university students have left the campus, Tressel noted. There are still some students living on campus.

Recognizing the importance of campus employment to students’ budgets, the two men said the university will work with students to ensure they are able to continue working during this transition period.

Smith, however, added that many companies, including Amazon, UPS and others have announced they are hiring in response to increasing demands.

EVENTS AND CLASSES

All campus events and YSU-sponsored events will be canceled for the remainder of the spring semester. For now, the class of 2020’s commencement will be postponed.

Smith said students have the option to take credit / no credit for their courses, but they need to be careful when considering this option. It could affect those students expecting to enter graduate programs. Also, those taking these courses need to know they will receive credit only if they will receive a grade of C or higher.

There are programs for students needing food and toiletry assistance.

Tressel said all graduating seniors that complete their required coursework will receive diplomas, but because of the national emergency, the commencement will be delayed.

He said he hopes to have some type of celebration for the class of 2020 in August at about the same time when new students are coming to campus. The celebration will simultaneously welcome in the new students, provide a review of the last few months of the 2020 class, and recognize the hard work of YSU employees during the COVID-19 period.

No firm date was announced for this celebration.

About summer classes, Smith said it’s not sure when on-campus classes will resume. If they do not, Smith said the online courses will continue.

EMPLOYEES

Tressel estimated about 95 percent of the university employees are still working. Although many employees are working off-campus. Tressel said some employees, such as campus police and those necessary to maintain the campus buildings, are still working on site.

In addition, there are employees who are working to make this campus, which previously had 11 percent of its courses fully online, now able to fully operate in an online environment.

Smith emphasized the university’s information technology team has been working to ensure those students needing computers, laptops and Wi-Fi will be able to get them. Those needing help should call 330-941-1595 or email jtwormley@ysu.edu.

Although Tressel said students should try, whenever possible, not to overburden the medical community because of the expected needs due to COVID-19, he emphasized Wick Primary Care is available to students and has opened a flu clinic for students, staff and the public.

rsmith@tribtoday.com