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YSU readies for fall semester

Slight drop in students compared to last year

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University has 622 fewer students this fall semester compared to the same period in 2019.

Eddie Howard, vice president for Student Affairs, said the university has 11,252 students registered for classes starting Monday compared to 11,874 students who had signed up to attend the university.

Considering the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the local economy as well as educational institutions around the region, Howard said he is pleased with the number of students who signed up for school this fall.

He credits the hard work of people across the campus and the successful enrollment campaign that targeted certain student populations.

“Those efforts … have really helped us to get to where we are today,” he said.

Howard is one of several university officials who met during a board of trustees meeting on Monday.

ADDRESS

YSU President Jim Tressel is expected to give his annual State of the University address at 10 a.m. today. For health and safety reasons, the address is being recorded and livestreamed. It is designed to reassure the university community that YSU has taken the steps to make campus safe. He will discuss the opportunities this moment provides and will emphasize that the return-to-classes plans will be successful only if everyone works together.

Students began moving into campus residence halls Monday, according to Howard. Approximately 500 are expected to be moved in by Friday.

More than 130 university officials participated in a webinar with officials from Youngstown, Mahoning County and area hospitals to discuss common issues with the pandemic.

RESPONSE

Julie Gentile, director of Environmental Health and Occupational Safety, said three student groups have been formed to help in the university’s response: a COVID-19 case support group; the Penguin Patrol, students throughout campus positively reinforcing social distancing, face coverings and washing hands; and Pete’s Clean Team, helping to make sure all common areas are appropriately sanitized. She also said that the Youngstown Health Department has hired an employee to work specifically with YSU on contact tracing.

Regular testing at the university will not take place, according to Gentile.

The health departments in Youngstown and Mahoning County recommend testing only when someone is showing symptoms, according to Gentile. The university will support anyone who wants tested, adding that Mercy Health on Wick Avenue has voluntary testing with results returned within 24 to 48 hours.

The university is expected to provide a variety of instructional delivery to limit the number of students coming to campus during the pandemic, according to Provost Brien Smith.

The five modalities will be traditional, agile hybrid, virtual, online live, and web-based.

Smith said the university’s Academic Continuity Team, formed during the spring to help transition to online instruction, has provided numerous faculty trainings, guides and other resources.

“We’re in a much better place than we thought we would be,” Claire Berardini, assistant provost for Student Success, said.

rsmith@tribtoday.com

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