Six months before 2021 spring break, Ohio State cancels annual rite. Blame COVID-19
Colleges are thinking ahead to 2021 when it comes to the coronavirus — or at least one university is. On Friday, Ohio State University announced that its 2021 spring break is being canceled to limit the spread of COVID-19, Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce McPheron said in an email to students, parents and faculty.
“There will be no spring break,” McPheron said in the email. “Instead, there will be two instructional breaks — on Tuesday, Feb. 9, and Wednesday, March 31 — where there will be no classes. This approach will keep our community together throughout the semester and reduce travel-related exposures.”
From Aug. 14 to Sept. 8, Ohio State had 1,814 positive coronavirus tests out of 46,138 tests, Cleveland.com reported, citing the OSU Safe and Healthy Buckeyes Dashboard.
The spring semester is set to begin on Jan. 11 with the first week of classes going virtual, which will give students time to quarantine before in-person classes, the email says.
“While there were many adjustments to our plans over the summer, we hope that our experience this semester will allow for a smoother and more predictable plan heading into spring semester,” McPheron said in the email. “To students, faculty and staff alike, thank you for your continued flexibility as we respond to an ever-changing situation.”
This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Six months before 2021 spring break, Ohio State cancels annual rite. Blame COVID-19."